Injured at a Colorado Business? 5 Things to Know About Premises Liability

If you were hurt at a store, restaurant, hotel, or other business in Colorado, you may be wondering who’s responsible—and how to get help with your medical bills, lost income, and pain. Premises liability law may offer a path to recovery. But before filing a claim, there are a few important things to know.

Here are 5 key facts about premises liability claims in Colorado that can protect your rights and help you make informed decisions.

1. Businesses Must Keep Their Property Reasonably Safe

Under Colorado law, business owners have a legal duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for customers, clients, and visitors. This includes:

• Regularly inspecting the property for hazards
• Fixing or warning about dangerous conditions (like wet floors, broken stairs, or ice)
• Taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable injuries
   

If a business knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition and failed to address it, they may be legally responsible for injuries that result.

2. Your Legal Status Matters

Not all visitors are treated the same under Colorado premises liability law. You are likely considered an invitee if you were injured while lawfully visiting a business open to the public. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care.

However, trespassers and licensees (like social guests) are owed a lesser duty. The protections you receive depend on your classification at the time of the injury, which can affect the strength of your claim.

3. You Must Prove Negligence

It’s not enough to show that you were injured on a business’s property—you must prove that the business was negligent in maintaining the premises. This generally involves showing:

• The business created or failed to fix a dangerous condition
• The hazard caused your injury
• You suffered damages as a result

Documentation is key. Photos, witness statements, and medical records can help support your case.

4. You Have Limited Time to File a Claim

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for most premises liability claims is two years from the date of the injury. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation entirely.

However, if your injury occurred on government property (like a post office or city-owned building), different—and shorter—notice rules apply. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to preserve your rights.

5. Insurance Companies May Not Be on Your Side

Businesses typically carry liability insurance, and their insurers are focused on minimizing payouts. You may be contacted quickly after your injury and offered a low settlement—don’t sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.

An experienced premises liability attorney can help you understand the value of your case, deal with insurance adjusters, and fight for full compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future treatment costs
   

Get Help After a Business Injury in Colorado

If you were injured at a business in Colorado—whether you slipped on a wet floor, tripped on uneven concrete, or were hurt due to poor lighting or negligent security—you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Veritas Injury Lawyers, we help injured people hold negligent property owners accountable and recover what they’re owed. We offer free consultations, and you don’t pay unless we win your case.