Premises Liability Lawyers in El Paso County
Were You Injured at Another Person’s Premises?
If you were injured at another person’s premises in El Paso County, and the owner or occupant is at blame, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. The experienced team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C can help you get the justice you deserve.
We have vast experience across a range of personal injury cases and an impressive track record of gaining favorable compensation for our clients, whether through settlement negotiations or through trial.
Contact us today at (719) 475-2555 so we can help you too.
Examples of Premises Liability
There are a number of instances where a landowner can be held responsible for injuries suffered by another person on their premises. Common examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slipping/tripping on a certain danger
- Dog bites or other animal bites
- Falls
- Drowning
- Electrical accidents
- Fires
- Defective conditions or poorly maintained properties
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
How Does Premises Liability Work in Colorado?
Premises liability in Colorado is governed by the Colorado Premises Liability Act. Under the Act, a landowner may be accountable for the injuries or losses suffered by someone on their premises, depending on how the accident occurred and why the person was on the property.
The liability of the landowner differs depending on whether the injured party was a licensee, invitee, or trespasser.
- Licensees: A licensee is someone on the premises for their own convenience or interest with the owner’s consent, generally social guests. The owner is only liable for injuries suffered by a licensee where the owner:
- Failed to use reasonable care with respect to a danger on the property the owner created and actually knew about; or
- Failed to use reasonable care to warn of a danger on the property the owner didn’t create, but knew about, that isn’t normally on the premises.
- Invitees: An invitee is generally a person on the land to transact business, usually customers or clients. A landowner is only liable for injuries to the invitee caused by dangers that the landowner either:
- Knew or reasonably should have known about on the property; or
- Failed to take reasonable care to protect others from.
- Trespassers: Where a person was trespassing on the property (they entered/remained on the land without the owner’s consent), the owner is only responsible for injuries that they willfully and deliberately caused.
Which of the above definitions the injured party falls under is determined by the Judge, based on the circumstances.
Who Counts as a “Landowner”?
The term “landowner” in the Colorado Premises Liability Act is defined more broadly than the common use of the term. Under the Act, a landowner includes:
“an authorized agent or a person in possession of real property and a person legally responsible for the condition of real property or for the activities conducted or circumstances existing on real property.”
In reality, this definition can therefore extend not only to owners of the land as commonly understood, but can include tenants, contractors, property managers, event organizers, and vendors if the above test is satisfied.
What Compensation Is Available?
If the required tests are satisfied to make a landowner liable for your injuries, compensation is available for injuries or losses that are a result of the landowner’s actions. This can include compensation for economic losses such as medical bills or lost income, non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, and for physical impairment.
Where the accident results in the death of a loved one, their family is able to seek compensation for the loss of that person in their life. This can include compensation for the loss of their financial provision and assistance, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering resulting from their death.
Call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C Today
Whatever injuries you are facing, the Bussey Law Firm P.C can help you get compensation for your loss. If you are unsure whether another person is liable in your situation, contact our team so we can help evaluate your legal options and the strength of your argument.
Whether aggressively negotiating for a settlement, or proving your entitlement to substantial compensation in court, we will fight for you.
Contact us today at (719) 475-2555.
