Teller County · Colorado premises liability law
Woodland Park Premises Liability Lawyers
Injured on someone's property in Woodland Park? Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Colorado's Premises Liability Statute and Your Claim
Colorado handles premises liability cases differently from most states. Under C.R.S. § 13‑21‑115, the duty a property owner owes you depends on why you were on the property in the first place. We start every Woodland Park case by figuring out where our client fits into that framework, because it shapes everything that follows.
If you were an invitee, someone like a customer at a Midland Avenue shop or a visitor to a business off Highway 24, the landowner owes you reasonable care against dangers they knew about or should have known about. That's the broadest duty under the statute. If instead you were a licensee, such as a social guest at a private home near Baldwin Street, the duty narrows. The owner has to use reasonable care for dangers they created and actually knew about, or warn you of unusual dangers they knew about but didn't create. That's a real difference from the inspection-style duty owed to a customer, and it changes what we have to prove.
Trespassers face the narrowest protection under Colorado law. A trespasser can only recover if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the injury. That doesn't mean every trespasser is shut out of a claim, but it does mean the bar is much higher. We evaluate honestly where our client stands under the statute before we tell them what their case looks like.
Building the Case Under Colorado's Framework
Because the duty owed depends on your status as invitee, licensee, or trespasser, evidence has to answer two questions: why were you on the property, and what did the owner actually know. We gather statements, photos, lease or permission records, and any prior complaints about the hazard to establish both. In a licensee case, for example, proof that the owner actually knew about a danger matters more than what a reasonable inspection would have caught.
We also move quickly to preserve physical evidence at the property itself, whether it's a business along Colorado Highway 67 or a residence near Manitou Springs. Conditions get fixed, snow melts, and witnesses forget. Medical records from providers like UCHealth Pikes Peak Regional Hospital help tie the injury to the specific hazard and timeline we're building.
- Photos of the hazard and surrounding area before it's altered or repaired
- Names and contact information for any witnesses on scene
- Records of why you were on the property, such as an invitation, receipt, or business purpose
- Medical records documenting your injury and treatment
- Any communication with the property owner or manager about the incident
Handling Premises Cases in Teller County
Woodland Park sits in Teller County, and premises liability claims arising here typically move through Teller County Combined Courts. We're familiar with how these cases proceed locally and what local judges and juries expect to see in terms of documentation and witness credibility.
Whether the incident happened at a business along U.S. Highway 24, a residence off Baldwin Street, or a property near the Manitou Springs corridor, we tailor our investigation to the specific location and the status of the injured person there. Our office is based at 929 W Colorado Ave in Colorado Springs, and we regularly work with clients throughout the Woodland Park area.
Damages We Pursue in Premises Cases
- Medical expenses related to the injury
- Lost income from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care if needed
- Diminished quality of life from lasting injury
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Woodland Park — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Woodland Park Colorado premises liability law FAQ
What if I was a social guest, not a paying customer, when I got hurt?
Colorado law treats you as a licensee, which carries a narrower duty than what's owed to a customer. The property owner has to have actually known about the danger, not just failed to inspect for it. We look closely at what the owner knew and when they knew it.
Can I still have a claim if I was trespassing?
It's harder, but not automatically barred. Colorado law allows a trespasser to recover only if the landowner willfully or deliberately caused the harm. We'll be direct with you about whether the facts support that standard.
How do I know if I was an invitee or a licensee?
It generally depends on the purpose of your visit and whether you were there for the landowner's benefit, like shopping, versus a personal or social reason. This distinction matters under Colorado's statute because it determines the duty owed to you. We help sort this out based on the specific facts of your visit.
Does it matter that my injury happened in Woodland Park specifically?
The same Colorado statute applies statewide, but local court procedures and where your case gets filed depend on location. Injuries here typically fall under Teller County Combined Courts. We handle the local logistics so you don't have to worry about them.
What does the property owner have to have known for me to have a claim?
It depends on your status on the property. Invitees are protected against dangers the owner knew or should have known about, while licensees generally need to show the owner actually knew about the specific danger. We investigate the property's history and any prior complaints to establish this.
Discuss a Woodland Park premises injury
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.