Premises Liability Lawyers | Boulder, CO

Trips to a store, restaurant, or apartment complex should be routine, not occasions for serious injury. However, when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions, hazards can cause slip and falls, structural failures, or other preventable accidents. Colorado law allows victims to seek compensation through a premises liability lawsuit if negligence led to their harm.

At Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C., we fight for those injured due to unsafe property conditions. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our Boulder premises liability lawyers hold negligent property owners accountable and pursue maximum compensation for victims.

What Is a Premises Liability Claim?

A premises liability claim allows individuals injured on another’s property to seek compensation when negligence contributed to their accident. Colorado law requires property owners, managers, and landlords to maintain safe environments and promptly address hazards. When they fail to do so, injured parties have legal grounds for a claim.

Why Choose Us

We have over 100 years of combined experience

We provide personalized attention

We offer free initial consultations

We hold insurance companies accountable

We have recovered over $230 Million for our clients

Common Causes of Premises Liability Injuries

Premises liability cases stem from unsafe property conditions, including:

Slip and falls—wet floors, uneven pavement, loose carpets, or icy walkways create dangerous conditions;
Trip and falls—cluttered walkways, exposed wiring, or defective staircases can cause serious falls;
Inadequate security—poor lighting, lack of security personnel, or malfunctioning locks may contribute to assaults or criminal attacks;
Dog bites—unrestrained or aggressive animals may cause serious injuries;
Swimming pool accidents—lack of proper fencing, unsafe drains, or poor supervision can lead to severe harm or drowning; and
Structural defects—collapsing balconies, falling debris, or unstable handrails may result in catastrophic injuries.

A Boulder premises liability attorney investigates each case thoroughly, gathering evidence of unsafe conditions and proving negligence.

Who Can File a Premises Liability Lawsuit?

Under Colorado law, a property owner’s duty of care depends on the visitor’s legal status at the time of the accident.

Invitees. Individuals lawfully entering a property for the owner’s benefit—such as customers, tenants, or service providers—are owed the highest duty of care. Owners must inspect for hazards and take steps to prevent harm.
Licensees. Social guests and non-business visitors are entitled to reasonable warnings of known dangers, though property owners do not have to inspect for hidden risks.
Trespassers. No duty is owed to unauthorized visitors except in cases involving children or intentional harm.

Determining your legal status is crucial to establishing a claim. A Boulder premises liability law firm can assess your case and identify the duty of care owed to you.

What You Need to Prove in a Premises Liability Claim

A successful premises liability claim requires proving the following:

The property owner owed a duty of care. The legal status of the visitor determines the responsibility of the property owner or manager.
A hazardous condition existed. Evidence must show that an unsafe condition caused the injury.
The owner knew—or should have known—about the danger. Proof that the hazard was ignored, left unaddressed, or improperly maintained strengthens a claim.
The dangerous condition caused harm. Medical records, witness statements, and surveillance footage help establish liability.

Our Boulder premises liability attorneys build strong cases by collecting crucial evidence and proving negligence.

Common Injuries in Premises Liability Cases

Unsafe property conditions can cause severe, life-altering injuries. A premises liability injury can include:

Broken bones,
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI),
Spinal cord injuries,
Severe lacerations,
Burn injuries, and
Soft tissue damage.

Medical treatment following an accident not only ensures recovery but also creates important documentation for a claim.

Compensation Available in a Premises Liability Lawsuit

Victims injured due to dangerous property conditions may be entitled to compensation for both financial losses and personal suffering. The law allows individuals to pursue damages based on the severity of their injuries, the impact on their daily lives, and the extent of the property owner’s negligence.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate for tangible financial losses, including:

Medical expenses. Costs for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and future medical care are recoverable.
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity. If an injury prevents returning to work or limits future employment opportunities, victims may recover compensation for lost income, reduced earning potential, and vocational retraining.
Property damage. Individuals may be reimbursed for personal belongings damaged in the accident, such as clothing, phones, eyeglasses, or mobility aids.

These financial losses can place an unexpected burden on victims and their families. Recovering full compensation helps ensure access to proper medical care and financial stability during recovery.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages compensate for the emotional and psychological toll of an injury, including:

Pain and suffering. Victims may be compensated for chronic pain, ongoing discomfort, and physical distress caused by their injuries.
Emotional trauma. Many accidents result in psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Loss of enjoyment of life. If an injury prevents participation in hobbies, social activities, or daily routines, victims may receive damages for their reduced quality of life.

Although these losses do not have a direct financial cost, they can have a lasting impact on an individual’s well-being. Our Boulder premises liability attorneys work to quantify these damages and advocate for fair compensation.

Punitive Damages

In cases where extreme negligence or reckless misconduct is involved, Colorado courts may award punitive damages. These damages are designed to:

Punish property owners for knowingly ignoring hazards or acting with reckless disregard for visitor safety, and
Deter future negligence by holding property owners accountable for failing to maintain safe conditions.

Although courts do not award punitive damages, they play an important role in cases involving gross negligence, willful misconduct, or repeat safety violations. Our legal team can assess whether punitive damages may apply to your case.

Our Boulder premises liability law firm thoroughly evaluates each case, ensuring your claim properly calculates all economic and noneconomic losses.

How Long Do You Have to File a Premises Liability Claim in Colorado?

Colorado law imposes a two-year statute of limitations on premises liability lawsuits. Injured individuals must file a claim within this timeframe or risk losing their right to recover compensation. Exceptions exist in some cases, including those involving:

Minors. Claims involving children may allow extensions beyond the two-year limit.
Undiscovered injuries. If symptoms do not appear immediately, the deadline may be adjusted based on discovery.
Criminal activity. If an injury resulted from an assault due to negligent security, the timeline may differ.

A Boulder premises liability attorney can help ensure you meet all deadlines while protecting your legal rights throughout the process.

3 Reasons Why You Need a Boulder Premises Liability Attorneys

While you may feel confident in your ability to handle your case without professional help, you’ll soon realize that presenting an injury claim requires a lot of hard work and legal expertise.

When you should be working your way back from painful disabilities, you’ll have to comply with insurance adjuster requests. Before you see a single dime of settlement money, there is a long list of procedures and issues to follow through. It will be your job to contact doctors for bills and reports.

Taking care of a serious injury case on your own involves focus on investigation, evaluation, and negotiation. Instead of taking on these new challenges, you should be working on your personal recovery.

When you are seriously injured, your financial future depends on obtaining adequate compensation for your injuries. You have a lot at stake. That’s why it’s important to seek help from a Boulder Premises Liability Attorneys before you make a critical mistake. Here are 3 additional reasons to consider.

1. Liability Issues

Accidents often involve liability issues that can be difficult to resolve. Colorado’s comparative negligence statute plays a key role in liability assessments. You must determine whether or not you contributed to the circumstances which caused the accident and how it may affect the compensation you receive for your injuries.

2. Dealing with Insurance Companies and Adjusters

When you have a serious injury claim, the other driver’s insurance company adjuster will call and may want to visit your home. It’s an adjuster’s job to clear up any liability issues, so they must record your statement.

3. Calculating Damages

When you’re injured, you know the pain, disabilities, and scarring you are forced to endure, but do you know their economic value? Injury claims don’t have one-size-fits-all evaluations. If two different people sustain the same injury, the settlement value will be different due to a wide range of factors. Attorneys research your injuries to understand how they affect you.

Why Choose Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C.?

With a proven record of securing over $230 million, our firm provides:

Comprehensive case investigations, gathering key evidence to build strong claims;
Aggressive negotiations, ensuring fair compensation from insurance companies;
Personalized legal strategies, tailoring representation to each client’s situation; and
Trial-ready advocacy, preparing every case as if it will go to court.

Our Boulder premises liability law firm is committed to helping injury victims rebuild their lives.

Speak with a Boulder Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If unsafe conditions caused your injury, you do not have to face this process alone. Our Boulder premises liability attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve. Colorado law limits the time to file a claim, so acting quickly is critical. Contact Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. today for a free consultation.