What Needs to Be Proven in a Premises Liability Claim?
Premises liability cases in Denver hinge on proving that negligence caused your injuries. Colorado courts require four essential elements to establish liability:
- Duty of Care: The property owner, landlord, or tenant had a legal obligation to keep the premises safe for visitors.
- Breach of Duty: The owner failed to meet this obligation by neglecting to repair hazards, failing to warn of risks, or ignoring inspection and maintenance responsibilities.
- Causation: The unsafe condition directly caused your accident and resulting injuries. For example, a wet floor without warning signs must be proven to be the reason for your slip and fall.
- Damages: You suffered measurable harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term pain and suffering, because of the property owner’s negligence.
Proving these elements requires gathering detailed evidence. This often includes:
- Surveillance footage capturing the accident or showing how long the hazard existed before your injury.
- Witness statements from others who saw the accident or were aware of the hazardous condition.
- Maintenance logs, inspection records, or incident reports that show whether the property owner took reasonable safety measures.
- Medical documentation to prove the severity of injuries and connect them directly to the accident.
At Bell & Pollock, our Denver premises liability attorneys meticulously investigate each case to build the strongest possible claim. We work with industry experts, accident reconstructionists, and medical professionals to show not only how the accident occurred but also how it has affected your life physically, emotionally, and financially.
Common Types of Premises Liability Claims
Premises liability cases in Denver cover a wide range of accidents, but most fall into several common categories. In each, negligence is the underlying cause: a property owner who knew or should have known about a hazard but failed to address it.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall cases are the most common type of premises liability claim in Denver. These accidents often occur in grocery stores, restaurants, shopping malls, apartment complexes, and office buildings. Spilled liquids, icy sidewalks, cracked pavement, uneven flooring, or cluttered walkways all create serious hazards. Victims of slip and fall accidents often suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and back or spinal cord injuries, all of which may require long-term medical treatment.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dog owners in Denver are responsible for keeping their pets under control. When they fail, the results can be devastating. Colorado law holds owners strictly liable when their dog bites or attacks someone and causes serious injury. These cases often involve children, who may suffer severe physical injuries and long-lasting emotional trauma.
Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pools, whether public or private, can be dangerous if not properly secured or maintained. Inadequate fencing, broken gates, missing warning signs, or lack of supervision can lead to drownings or near-drownings. Property owners in Denver must take steps to prevent these tragedies, particularly when children are present.
Assaults and Negligent Security
Property owners may also be liable for criminal acts that occur on their premises if inadequate security contributed to the incident. For example, if an apartment complex in Denver had a history of break-ins or assaults but failed to install lighting or hire security personnel, they could be held responsible when a tenant or guest is attacked.
Stairwell Accidents
Stairways are another frequent site of accidents. Poor lighting, broken steps, worn carpeting, or missing railings can all lead to devastating falls. In apartment buildings, hotels, and office spaces across Denver, stairwell accidents are often the result of neglecting basic maintenance.
In every one of these scenarios, the core issue is negligence, or a property owner’s failure to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm. Victims of these accidents deserve compensation for their injuries, and a knowledgeable Denver premises liability attorney can help ensure they get it.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Denver, Colorado
Slip and fall accidents are the foundation of many premises liability claims in Denver. They may seem like simple accidents at first glance, but in reality, most are preventable and caused by a property owner’s negligence. What makes slip and falls particularly dangerous is how quickly they occur, often in a split second, yet their consequences can last months, years, or even a lifetime.
How Slip and Falls Commonly Happen
In a bustling city like Denver, slip and fall hazards are everywhere, from icy sidewalks in the winter to crowded retail stores during the holidays. Common causes include:
- Wet or slippery floors: Restaurants, grocery stores, and retail shops are notorious for spills, mopped floors without signage, or leaks that create slippery conditions. When property owners fail to promptly clean or warn customers, serious injuries result.
- Icy sidewalks and parking lots: Denver’s long winters bring frequent snow and ice. Property owners who fail to shovel, salt, or sand their sidewalks and parking lots place visitors at significant risk. Under Colorado law, they may be liable for the injuries that follow.
- Uneven flooring or cracked pavement: Broken tiles, uneven sidewalks, and poorly maintained parking lots often create trip hazards. These conditions are especially dangerous for elderly visitors.
- Cluttered walkways: Boxes, merchandise, cords, or construction debris left in aisles or hallways prevent safe passage and increase the likelihood of falls.
- Poor lighting: Stairwells, parking garages, and hallways with inadequate lighting make it difficult to see hazards, contributing to falls in both residential and commercial buildings.
These are not “freak accidents.” They are failures by property owners and managers to keep their premises safe. A skilled Denver premises liability attorney can investigate the scene, gather evidence, and prove the property owner’s negligence.
Common Injuries From Slip and Falls
While some falls result in only minor bruising, many lead to catastrophic injuries. For older adults, slips and falls are particularly dangerous, often leading to long-term disability or loss of independence. But people of all ages are at risk. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones: Hip fractures, wrist breaks, and ankle fractures are among the most frequent injuries. Many require surgery and lengthy recovery times.
- Head injuries and concussions: Even a short fall can cause the head to strike the ground, leading to concussions or brain bleeds.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Severe head trauma may result in long-term cognitive problems, memory loss, or permanent disability.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or spinal cord damage may lead to chronic pain or paralysis.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and torn ligaments can limit mobility and take months of therapy to heal.
- Long-term mobility issues: Some victims require walkers, canes, or wheelchairs long after the accident.
Beyond physical harm, slip and fall victims often face financial and emotional challenges, including expensive medical care, lost wages, and stress about their future. At Bell & Pollock, our Denver slip and fall attorneys work to ensure you receive compensation not only for immediate expenses but also for long-term care needs, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Dog Bites and Animal Attacks in Denver, Colorado
Dog bites and animal attacks represent another serious category of premises liability cases in Denver. Colorado has strict laws governing dog owner responsibility, holding them accountable when their pets cause harm. Unlike some states, Colorado imposes strict liability for dog bites that cause serious bodily injury or death, meaning the victim does not need to prove negligence if the injuries meet the statutory definition of “serious bodily injury.”
Common Dog Breeds Involved in Bites
While any dog can bite under the wrong circumstances, studies and bite statistics frequently highlight certain breeds as being more commonly involved in attacks:
- Pit Bull–type breeds (such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier)
- German Shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Huskies
- Mixed breeds
It’s important to stress that breed alone does not determine liability or aggression. Many bites result from improper training, lack of restraint, or failure to supervise the dog. What matters most legally is whether the owner acted responsibly to prevent an attack.
Injuries From Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
Dog bite injuries can be especially traumatic, particularly for children, who are statistically more likely to be bitten. Common injuries include:
- Deep puncture wounds and lacerations: These often require stitches and carry a high risk of infection.
- Nerve damage: Severe bites may damage nerves, leading to loss of function or sensation in the affected area.
- Facial injuries: Many attacks involve the face, resulting in scarring, disfigurement, or the need for reconstructive surgery.
- Psychological trauma: Victims may develop a lifelong fear of dogs, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anxiety.
- Secondary complications: Infections such as rabies or tetanus may result if the animal was not properly vaccinated.
The physical scars are often matched by emotional ones, especially when the victim is a child. Parents may face enormous medical bills and long-term care expenses for their child while also struggling with the emotional impact of the attack.
Our Denver premises liability attorneys collaborate with doctors, mental health experts, and financial professionals to fully document both the physical and psychological harm from dog bites and animal attacks. This ensures victims receive compensation for medical treatment, reconstructive care, therapy, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
How Can Bell & Pollock Help With Your Premises Liability Claim?
Taking on a premises liability case in Denver is rarely straightforward. Property owners and their insurers often have significant resources and legal teams on their side, all working to minimize payouts or deny responsibility entirely. Victims, meanwhile, are left facing mounting medical bills, time away from work, and the stress of physical recovery. At Bell & Pollock, our mission is to balance the scales by standing up for the rights of injured individuals and families.
Our Denver premises liability attorneys take a proactive, evidence-driven approach. We:
- Conduct thorough investigations into how and why the accident occurred, including reviewing incident reports, photos, surveillance video, and maintenance records.
- Gather medical documentation and expert testimony from doctors, safety engineers, and accident reconstruction specialists to prove the extent of your injuries and establish negligence.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, many of which will attempt to undervalue your claim or blame you for your own injuries.
- Prepare every case for trial from day one, ensuring we are ready to present your story in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
We pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, diminished earning capacity, and, when necessary, future care needs. In the most severe cases, we also fight for damages that cover permanent disability and long-term loss of quality of life.
Our goal is simple: to hold negligent property owners accountable and secure the financial recovery you need to move forward after an accident.
Why Choose Bell & Pollock?
If you’ve been injured in a Denver premises liability accident, you want more than just a lawyer; you want an advocate who understands your struggles, has the skill to fight powerful opponents, and has the determination to see your case through to the end. That’s exactly what you’ll find at Bell & Pollock.
Proven Results
We have a long history of achieving meaningful verdicts and settlements for injury victims across Denver. Our success in personal injury cases, including slip and falls, auto accidents, and other negligence claims, demonstrates our ability to take on major insurance companies and win. Insurance carriers know our reputation for aggressive advocacy, which often leads to stronger settlement offers for our clients.
Personalized Service
At Bell & Pollock, we believe every client deserves individualized attention. We take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and develop a strategy tailored to your unique circumstances. You’ll have direct access to your attorney, not just paralegals or case managers. We provide regular updates and maintain open communication so you always know the status of your case.
Local Knowledge
As long-time attorneys practicing in Denver, we know the local courts, judges, and defense attorneys who handle premises liability cases. We also understand the unique hazards of life in Denver, like icy sidewalks in winter, busy retail centers, older buildings with maintenance issues, and rental properties with negligent landlords. This local insight allows us to build stronger cases for our clients and anticipate challenges before they arise.
Families and individuals across Denver choose Bell & Pollock because they know we combine compassion with relentless advocacy. When your future is on the line, we fight tirelessly to ensure justice is served.
Additional Legal Services
At Bell & Pollock, we recognize that injuries don’t just occur from unsafe property conditions. Our attorneys represent victims across a wide range of personal injury cases. If you or a loved one has been harmed by someone else’s negligence, our team is here to help you pursue justice and compensation.
We also handle cases involving:
Each practice area we handle is guided by the same principle: putting clients first. Whether your injury happened on the road, at work, or on unsafe property, Bell & Pollock is committed to fighting for your rights and delivering results that make a difference.
Contact Bell & Pollock After a Slip and Fall or Property Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured on unsafe property in Denver, don’t wait to get legal help. Property owners and insurers move quickly to protect themselves, and evidence of negligence can disappear fast.
Call Bell & Pollock today or connect with us online for a free consultation with an experienced Denver premises liability attorney. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve. With our team by your side, you won’t have to face property owners or insurance companies alone.
