Slip & Fall/Premises Liability FAQs

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FAQ's Slip and Fall & Premises Liability

I keep hearing the term slap and fall. What does that mean in Colorado?

Generally, a slip and fall accident occurs on someone else’s property, resulting in a personal injury lawsuit by the injured victim. Typically, these types of accidents occur due to the property owner knowing about a poor condition, such as a broken stair or a spill on the floor, and not repairing it or cleaning it up in a reasonable amount of time.

Slip and fall cases are difficult to win without the assistance of a knowledgeable Colorado Springs slip and fall attorney. A thorough investigation needs to occur, and proof that the property owner had knowledge of the condition and failed to act is necessary.

I had a slip-and-fall accident at my boyfriend's apartment in Colorado Springs. Can I sue the landlord for knowing about a broken step and not repairing it?

If the accident occurred outside of your boyfriend’s apartment, in the public area of the apartment complex, the landlord can be found negligent if he was told about the broken stairs and did not do anything to repair it or block it off to caution people. Colorado slip and fall cases can be complex and often require advice and an attorney’s expertise. Beware, the apartment’s insurance company will probably look to recover costs. If you were injured, it is your right to seek justice and recover damages. Contact an experienced Colorado Springs slip and fall attorney and get answers to your legal questions.

Premises Liability? Slip and Fall? What does this mean?

When you run to the grocery store, visit a friend, park your car, stay at a hotel, or even walk down the street in Colorado, you expect the property owner to have created and maintained a safe environment for visitors. Property owners’ legal responsibility and duty is to take reasonable steps to keep those on their property free from harm and severe injury.

While some accidents are simply moments of personal clumsiness or carelessness, others should have been prevented and resulted from property owner action. If you think your serious injury could have been prevented if not for the condition of the property you were on, you should immediately discuss your case with an experienced premises liability or slip-and-fall attorney. It is also essential to take photographs showing the premises and the conditions during the incident.

Unlike other types of personal injury cases, very rarely do any two premises liability cases look the same. The only aspect the cases have in common is that the victim was injured on someone else’s property. That injury directly resulted from the land owner ignoring an unreasonable risk of harm. Although many of these cases involve slips or falls, some do not. For example:

While visiting a friend, a Woodland Park man’s son is mauled by the property owner’s aggressive dog. The boy must undergo reconstructive surgery.
An elderly Castle Rock man slips on an apartment staircase when a tread buckles, shattering his hip. The apartment management had been aware that the stair treads were inadequate and unstable but did nothing to prevent this risk of harm.
A Fremont County woman falls on the icy walkway outside of a restaurant. The restaurant owner and staff had not sanded, salted, or shoveled the entrance to the establishment but still wanted customers to cross the walkway into the restaurant.
A Colorado Springs warehouse store employee is carelessly stocking the upper shelves when a box of products is knocked onto a customer below. The customer suffers a traumatic head injury that includes permanent short-term memory loss.
A small girl drowns in a Canon City hotel swimming pool unsupervised by a lifeguard or other hotel staff.
Because premises liability cases come in many forms, the best way to learn more about your case is to speak with an attorney handling slip and fall cases. Do not continue to wonder if someone else was liable for your serious injuries and is responsible for covering your damages.

Is a dog's owner liable for medical bills if a dog bites someone in Colorado Springs?

Different states and jurisdictions handle dog bite lawsuits differently. The dog’s owner could be liable in Colorado if the victim sustained serious bodily injury. Typically, you will need to prove that the dog attack resulted from the owner’s negligence, leash law violation, or the owner knowing their dog already had a violent history and was inclined to bite.

Colorado’s dog bite statute is very complicated and requires assistance from an experienced Colorado Springs injury attorney. You may be eligible for compensation for any disability caused by the attack, medical and hospital bills, or lost wages if the injury prevents you from working.

My daughter was bitten by a dog in Colorado Springs and suffered severe injuries. The attack happened on our street by my neighbor's pit bull.

If you or any other neighbors have previously noticed that dog’s aggressive behavior and the owner knew of your concerns and ignored them, he might be at fault for neglecting an unreasonable risk of harm. Even if no one mentioned their concerns to your neighbor, you still may be entitled to compensation. Retaining a lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation and look into the dog’s behavior would be in your best interest. You can require a dog’s temperament to be tested by local authorities. You can also demand proof of the dog’s recent rabies vaccination.

If your daughter sustained any injuries, seek medical attention immediately and retain all your records. Hiring an attorney to seek compensation for her injuries would be best. Contact an experienced Colorado Springs injury attorney today for legal advice.