Slip and Fall Accidents on Snow and Ice In Colorado Springs
People who live in Colorado live with unsafe winter hazards, including icy sidewalks and snow-covered roads. Colorado property owners must make sure their property does not pose a risk to visitors. During the winter, property owners frequently remove snow and ice from sidewalks, walkways, parking lots and other areas around their building entrances.
When property owners neglect to clear ice and snow, visitors may be hurt when they slip or trip and fall. If you fell and were seriously injured on such a surface, you may be entitled to compensation that will help with the financial impact of your injuries.
Slip and fall accidents come under an area of law called premises liability. Do you have a viable premises liability case? That will depend on a range of factors, including what caused the accident and whether the property owner had knowledge of the dangerous conditions.
I am Jeffrey Scott Lasswell, a personal injury attorney in Colorado Springs. I have helped many clients who have suffered injuries from tripping on snow and ice in Colorado. I can help you as well. Contact me today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. I will be happy to explore the legal options that are available to you.
Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall on Ice or Snow?
The general rule for property owners in Colorado is that they have a duty to maintain their property and make sure it is in reasonably safe condition. Suppose a property owner knows of the presence of snow and ice but fails to clear those hazards within a reasonable amount of time. The property owner can be held liable for damages when a visitor is injured because of snow removal negligence.
Compensation After a Fall on Ice or Snow
If you were injured when you fell on ice or snow, the compensation you are entitled to will depend on the damages that you have endured. As a Colorado Springs slip and fall lawyer, I will fight tirelessly to help you secure that compensation, which may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
In Colorado, the courts use the comparative fault system when determining damages in personal injury accidents. This means you may receive compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault for your trip and fall injuries.
For example, you might have a case for a slip and fall on ice at an apartment complex. If you are partially at fault, you may still recover compensation. However, any jury award you receive would be reduced by the percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 30% at fault for a slip and fall accident and a jury awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $70,000 in compensation.
Colorado Snow Removal Laws
Colorado Springs and many other cities throughout Colorado require residents to remove snow from their driveways and sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowstorm. That law is intended to keep walkways and sidewalks clear for pedestrians. Property owners who violate that law may be charged with a misdemeanor.
When shoveling the sidewalk, property owners should place the snow on their own yards or elsewhere on their property, rather than in the street. This helps mitigate icy spots and keeps drainage flowing into sewers as the snow melts.
In Colorado, it is illegal for property owners to deposit snow on or next to a public highway. Many Colorado ordinances prohibit the shoveling, plowing or blowing of snow onto public roadways. Residents who have property near a crosswalk, intersection, entrance, or exit must make sure those areas are also free of snow.
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Common Places Where Falls on Ice Occur
Falls on ice and snow in Colorado often occur in these places:
- Sidewalks
- Walkways
- Driveways
- Pedestrian crossings
- Stairs
- Parking lots
- Streets
- Melted ice inside buildings
What If My Fall Happened on Public Property?
A person who files an injury claim against a government entity in Colorado must give notice in accordance with the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. The notice must describe what type of injury was suffered and the type of liability the governmental entity has.
Colorado law typically provides a two-year statute of limitations for slip and fall accidents. That means victims have only two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. However, when the responsible party is a governmental entity, slip and fall cases involve much shorter deadlines – typically 180 days from the date of the accident.
That is why it is in your best interests to hire my law firm. As an attorney experienced with these cases, I know how to handle the complex rules for a lawsuit against a government entity.
Talk to a Slip and Fall Lawyer Now
If you slipped and fell on snow or ice and suffered injuries, contact me now to schedule a free and confidential consultation. I am ready to explain all your legal options to you.