As the winter months set in each year in Colorado, locals and visitors alike understand that there will be snowy and icy conditions that can create hazards. In particular, these hazards are present when it comes to driving and even when walking. But who is responsible for injuries caused by a failure to remove ice and snow in certain areas? Here, we want to discuss whether or not property owners can be held legally liable for failing to remove snow and ice.
The owners of buildings, stores, parking lots, and any other areas where individuals from the public are allowed to gather are responsible for ensuring safe access to their property. This includes removing snow and ice on pedestrian pathways.
Property owners have an obligation to ensure that all public areas are accessible to individuals who have the right to be there. The dangerous accumulation of snow and ice can lead to severe injuries in various places in and around the Denver area. This includes:
In order for these specific types of premises liability lawsuits to be successful, individuals have to show that the property owners knew about the accumulation of snow or ice and failed to take steps to remedy the situation.
Snow and ice can lead to severe injuries for individuals, usually as a result of a slip and fall incident. Some of the most common types of snow and ice fall injuries include the following:
Individuals who sustain a wintertime slip and fall caused by snow or ice may be able to recover various types of compensation for property owners. In general, attorneys in these situations will strive to recover both economic and non-economic compensation on behalf of their clients. This can include:
The total amount of compensation available for a Denver snow and ice injury will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular situation. An attorney specializing in the failure to remove snow or ice by a property owner will work diligently to recover full compensation on behalf of their client. They can investigate the incident, determine liability, and vigorously negotiate with aggressive insurance carriers.
In Denver, snow and ice slip and fall accident victims have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit against an alleged negligent property owner. The Colorado personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. If a slip and fall injury victim fails to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party within this two-year timeframe, they will not be able to recover the compensation they are entitled to.
