Slip and Fall Attorney in Colorado Springs
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere and at any time. However, they are especially common in colder weather states like Colorado, where residents often slip and fall on ice. In fact, ice and snow in Colorado are major causes of slip and fall accidents.
Have you been seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Colorado Springs? I am Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, a Colorado Springs premises liability attorney with more than 20 years of experience. My law firm handles these types of cases.
I will launch a thorough investigation of your accident. I will determine whether it was caused by the negligent actions or inactions of another party. If your injuries were the result of someone’s carelessness or neglect, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Slip and fall cases are typically very complicated. I know this as an experienced Colorado Springs premises liability lawyer. Please contact me as soon as possible after your accident. Call me today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Who can be held responsible in your particular slip and fall case? Parties who may be liable in slip and fall accidents include:
- The landlord
- The property owner
- The property manager
- The apartment building manager
- A contractor or builder
- Commercial tenants
- Condominium associations
- Homeowners association
- The parties responsible for maintenance
Slip and fall accidents happen in a variety of locations, including:
- Retail stores
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Convenient stores
- Shopping malls
- Stadiums
- Theaters
- Hotels/Motels
- Hospitals
- Amusement parks
- Nursing homes
Compensation in a Premises Liability Case
No two premises liability cases are alike, so it is difficult to say exactly what compensation you might obtain. The amount of compensation you might recover will depend on the damages that you have endured. But as your Colorado Springs slip and fall attorney, I vow to fight tirelessly to help you obtain compensation for these damages:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
Colorado courts use comparative fault for damages in slip and fall accidents. You may be entitled to receive compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault for your injury.
If you are partially at fault for your slip and fall injury, you may still recover compensation. Any jury award would be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, suppose you were found to be 20% at fault for a slip and fall accident. If a jury awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $80,000 in compensation.
How a Colorado Springs Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help
As the slip and fall attorney devoted to your case, I can help you in several ways:
- Navigating the injury claims process. The legal process associated with slip and fall accidents can be complex. That process can be difficult when you are still recovering from a severe injury. As your attorney, I can handle the complicated legal aspects of your case while you focus on your healing.
- Determining the value of your case. After investigating your slip and fall accident case, I can give you an idea of what types of compensation you may be entitled to. Your damages may include medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and your pain and suffering.
- Identifying liable parties. As your slip and fall lawyer, it is my job to identify all potentially liable parties. Once I have determined who is at fault for your slip and fall, I will obtain evidence to help establish liability. That evidence will include accident reports, police reports, eyewitness testimony, doctors’ reports, accident photos and video surveillance.
- Communicating with the insurance company. Insurance companies will attempt to reduce the compensation that you receive. Those companies often employ a variety of tactics. They may try to get you to admit you caused your slip and fall. As your lawyer focused on your case, I will handle all communications with insurance companies. I will ensure you do not say anything that could undermine your claim.
- Negotiating a full and fair settlement. The insurance company of the liable party may make a settlement offer far below the amount you deserve. The good news is that you have a skilled slip and fall attorney. I can negotiate a settlement with the insurance company by presenting evidence in your favor. I can also document the damages you have suffered.
- Taking your case to trial. If I am unable to reach a full and fair settlement with the insurance company, I will file a lawsuit to pursue damages in court.
Statute of Limitations for a Slip and Fall Claim in Colorado
Under the Colorado slip and fall statute of limitations, you have two years to file a claim against the party who is responsible for your injuries. If you fail to take legal action within that deadline, you will be barred from filing a claim.
As your Colorado Springs premises liability lawyer, I will make sure you meet all the important deadlines. I will get started immediately on collecting evidence and building a strong case.
Get Started with your CaseCall Us at (719) 635-1245
What to Do if You Have Been Hurt in a Fall on Dangerous Property
After your slip and fall accident, take these steps to protect yourself and your claim:
- Seek medical treatment. Your health and safety should be your No. 1 priority following your slip and fall accident. If you have been injured, see a healthcare provider and document those injuries. Those medical records will be essential pieces of evidence, should you decide to pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
- Report the accident. No matter where the slip and fall occurs, make sure you report the accident to a manager or property owner. Getting the details of the accident in writing is very important for your case. Before you leave, ask for a copy of the written report.
- Take pictures. Take photos of the accident scene and show what caused your slip and fall. Also take photos of your injuries.
- Save your clothes. Keep the clothes you were wearing at the time of your slip and fall accident. Clothes that are bloody or torn can be convincing evidence when documenting your injury.
- Don’t provide a statement to an insurer. Limit your communication with the property owner and any insurance companies. Don’t post anything about your accident on social media. Never give a statement to an insurance company until you have first consulted with me as your lawyer. Don’t admit fault.
- Contact an attorney. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Colorado Springs, do not hesitate to take action to secure your claim. Please contact me as soon as possible. During your free initial consultation, I can explain your legal options for recovering compensation after your slip and fall accident.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls Accidents
Common causes of slip and falls include:
- Snow and ice accumulation
- Broken stairs
- Broken handrails
- Torn or worn carpeting
- Floor mats that are not secured
- Defects in pavement
- Poor lighting
- Slippery surfaces
- Debris
- Potholes
- Cracked or uneven floors
- Loose or broken tiles
- Spilled food or drinks
- Stray electrical wires
- Sloped walking surfaces
- Inadequate security
Slip and Fall Accident FAQs
Clients frequently ask me questions about Colorado slip and fall cases. If you have questions about your particular case, don’t hesitate to contact me, attorney Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, as soon as possible.
Slip and Fall Accident
What do you have to prove in a slip and fall case?
Establishing who is at fault for a slip and fall accident typically requires proving one or more of the following:
- The property owner caused the hazardous conditions that led to the slip and fall accident and did nothing to repair them or warn visitors about them.
- The property owner was aware of the hazardous conditions and did nothing to repair them or warn visitors about them.
- The property owner should have been aware of the hazardous conditions because a “reasonable” person in the same situation would have been aware of them. The owner could or should have repaired them or warned visitors about them.
What can I expect in a slip and fall settlement timeline?
A Colorado slip and fall accident case can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve, depending on the circumstances of your particular case.
What can be used as evidence in a case?
The evidence commonly presented in Colorado slip and fall cases includes:
- Medical records and bills – Medical records and bills are a key part of proving liability. You should seek medical attention immediately after the accident and continue with any follow-up treatments, if needed. Your medical records and bills will help to establish a timeline. Those records can also be used when calculating your damages.
- Photographs – Photos help you present the whole story of how you sustained your slip and fall injury. Get pictures that depict the scene of the accident. Be sure to get photos of the hazard that caused you to slip and fall.
- Surveillance video – Video may show the dangerous condition that was ignored by the property’s owner before your fall.
- Witness statements – Witness testimony gives an objective point of view of your slip and fall. If there were any witnesses to your slip and fall, their contact information should be on the accident report. As your lawyer, I can interview all witnesses to get a better understanding of how the slip and fall happened.
- Reports to the property owner or manager – If you suffered your injury on commercial property, you should report your injury to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Get a copy of that report. It will likely contain information about what caused the accident (e.g., spilled liquid, broken stairs, etc.). It may also describe the injury, any medical treatment received at the scene, and the names of any eyewitnesses.
What if the property owner says I was at fault?
Property owners have many different excuses after a premises liability accident. They may even blame you for causing the slip and fall. Do not settle for excuses. Demand justice. Even if you were partially at fault for your slip and fall, you can still recover compensation under Colorado’s comparative fault rules.
How much does it cost to hire a slip and fall attorney?
I work on a contingency-fee basis. That means you will not owe any upfront costs. I only get paid when I win your case. When I resolve the case in your favor, I receive an agreed-upon percentage of the financial award I obtained on your behalf.
Talk to an Experienced Slip and Fall Lawyer in Colorado Springs Now
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident that was caused by hazardous conditions on public or private property, call me now to schedule a free and confidential consultation.