Who is Liable for a Broken Sidewalk Accident in Colorado?
When hazardous or damaged walkways cause people to slip and fall or suffer injuries due to it not being maintained, it is understandable to wonder who is responsible for these accidents that occur. In Colorado, cities like Denver have held property owners accountable for installing and maintaining sidewalks within the public right of way.
If you have suffered injuries from a broken sidewalk accident, our attorneys at Mintz Law Firm can help you. We guide our clients to receive the compensation they deserve due to injuries from a property owner’s negligence. Below you will find more information about broken sidewalk accidents in Colorado and how your legal team can help you.
Premise Liability for Broken Sidewalks in Colorado
When individuals suffer injuries from a slip and fall on a broken sidewalk, they are permitted to seek compensation from the property owner or liable parties. Under the premise liability statute, property owners may be held responsible for specific injuries on their land or property. In the case of a broken sidewalk, a business owner, property owner, or homeowner may be liable for the damages resulting from your accident on their property.
Determining liability can be challenging, as different factors are considered when determining negligence under premise liability. The reason why the person is on the property and how the accident occurs play a significant role in deciding where the neglect occurred. Here are the legal statuses for providing a standard of care:
- Trespassers
- Licensees
- Invitees
- Children
The type of damage a person can receive is dependent on the legal status they have to be on the property at the time of the accident. Each status has an outlined duty for the standard of care that owners and liable parties are required to provide. If they fail to warn or perform their duties to prevent and limit the impededing damage, they are negligent in the case of an accident.
Who Is Responsible for Sidewalk Maintenance and Repair?
In Colorado, generally all property owners and business owners are responsible for the upkeep of their private property. In addition to property owners being liable for a broken sidewalk accident, premise liability may add property managers, vendors, tenants, contractors, and other personnel to the case depending on the situation and proof of neglect.
According to the code of ordinances in Pueblo, CO, tenants occupants, business owners, or owners of the buildings involved are responsible for snow and ice removal on a sidewalk, as well as hanging icicles and other threats to the public safety. In addition, there are penalties for neglecting sidewalks, construction, and other repairs that impede danger in public walkways, including sidewalks. All owners are responsible for their standard of care and can face the penalties of neglecting to notify, protect against, or avoid impeding damage on their property.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Your Case
If you have suffered injuries from a broken sidewalk accident, hiring a skilled lawyer can help you determine the best strategy to prepare a successful claim. When another’s wrongdoing and negligence are to blame for an accident you have experienced, you have the right to file a claim and seek compensation for the damage done.
Personal injury attorneys are skilled in slip and fall accident cases, premise liability, and helping clients maximize the compensation owed to them. Without a legal team, you may miss out on receiving the totality of monetary compensation owed to you. Many companies and businesses have legal teams experienced in settling cases like yours. Still, with a skilled lawyer on your side, you can recover at ease knowing your best interests are considered throughout the case.
Contact Colorado Attorneys at Mintz Law Firm after a Broken Sidewalk Accident
With 150 years of combined experience at Mintz Law Firm, your case is geared to succeed. Our legal team is dedicated to helping our Colorado clients receive justice through a successful claim. We can’t change the accident that occurred to you, but we can fight for the compensation that may help you through your recovery. Reach out to our law firm with our contact form or give us a call at (303) 462-2999 to schedule your free consultation.