Adams and Jefferson counties · Snow and ice falls
Westminster Snow and Ice Fall Lawyers
A Westminster snow or ice fall can leave you hurt and stuck with bills. Free consultation, no fee unless we recover.
How Colorado Law Treats Snow and Ice Falls
Snow and ice on a Westminster property is treated as a property condition under Colorado's premises liability statute, C.R.S. section 13‑21‑115. That statute looks at what the landowner knew or should have known about the hazard and what your status was on the property when you fell.
Your status matters. A customer walking into a store off 120th Avenue or a business along Federal Boulevard is typically there as an invitee, which affects what the landowner owed you. Someone crossing private land for their own purposes may be treated differently. We do not assign a status until we have the facts of your visit.
The law does not set a fixed number of hours or days that ice must sit before a property owner is responsible. Instead, the question is whether the owner knew or reasonably should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to address it. We build that case from the specific facts of your fall, not from a generic timeline.
What Helps Prove a Snow or Ice Fall Claim
Photos of the ice or snow at the scene, taken as soon as possible, are some of the strongest evidence we can use. We also look at weather records for the day and days before your fall to understand what conditions the property owner was dealing with, and whether the area had been plowed, shoveled, or treated with any kind of ice control.
We also want to know how long the condition appears to have been there before you fell. Was it fresh snowfall, or old ice that had been refrozen multiple times? Statements from witnesses, store or building maintenance logs, and any surveillance footage from the entrance or walkway can all help establish what the property owner knew and when.
- Photograph the ice or snow and the surrounding walkway before it melts or gets cleared
- Note the exact location, such as a specific entrance near U.S. Highway 36 or I-25
- Get names and contact information for any witnesses
- Report the fall to the property owner or manager and ask for a written record
- Seek medical care and keep all records tied to your injury
Handling Snow and Ice Claims in the Westminster Area
Westminster sits along the U.S. Highway 36 and I-25 corridors, with dense retail and commercial areas near Federal Boulevard, 120th Avenue, and the Broomfield border. Snow and ice falls in these areas often happen at parking lots, store entrances, and sidewalks where property owners are expected to manage winter conditions.
Depending on where your fall happened and where you live, your case may be handled through the Adams County Justice Center or the Jefferson County Courts. If you were treated for your injuries, records from providers such as CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital can become part of the evidence supporting your claim. Our office is based in Denver, and we work with Westminster clients throughout the process.
Damages We Pursue in Snow and Ice Fall Cases
- Medical expenses related to the fall
- Future medical care if your injury requires ongoing treatment
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Other out-of-pocket costs tied to your recovery
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Westminster — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Westminster Snow and ice falls FAQ
Do I have to prove the ice was there for a certain number of hours?
No. Colorado law does not require you to prove the ice existed for a specific number of hours or days. What matters is whether the property owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to fix it.
What if I fell on ice in a store parking lot in Westminster?
A store parking lot fall is analyzed under the same premises liability framework, looking at your status as a visitor and what the property owner knew about the condition. We would look at whether the lot had been plowed or treated and how visible the ice was.
Does it matter if I was a customer versus just walking through the property?
Yes, your status can affect the case. A customer at a business is often considered an invitee, while someone crossing private property for other reasons may be treated differently under the statute. We review the specific facts of your visit before drawing any conclusions.
What evidence should I try to collect right after a fall?
Photos of the ice or snow, the surrounding area, and any visible treatment like salt or sand are valuable. Weather information and witness contact details also help us understand the conditions at the time of your fall.
Where would my case be handled if I fell in Westminster?
Depending on the location of the fall and other factors, your case may go through the Adams County Justice Center or the Jefferson County Courts. We can explain which venue applies once we review the details of your incident.
Discuss a Westminster premises injury
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