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Falls in Apartments and Rentals

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    Colorado Apartments and Landlords Slip and Fall Lawyer

    Tenants and visitors depend on landlords and property managers to keep common areas safe—stairs, hallways, parking lots, and entries should be inspected, maintained, and compliant with building and safety codes. When owners defer repairs, ignore complaints, or skip snow and ice mitigation, preventable falls lead to fractures, shoulder and knee injuries, spinal harm, and concussions. We help clients in Denver, Aurora, Boulder, and statewide Colorado prove what went wrong, who’s responsible, and the full measure of losses.

    Where Apartment and Commercial Properties Go Wrong

    Buildings age, traffic is constant, and Colorado’s weather is tough on exterior surfaces. Owners and managers must have systems to identify hazards and fix them promptly, or warn and restrict access until they do.

    • Stair/handrail defects: loose or missing rails, non‑graspable profiles, out‑of‑code heights, inconsistent riser/tread dimensions, missing nosings, poor visibility.
    • Walkways and entries: cracked or heaved concrete, threshold lips, pooled water at entries, slippery tile, algae/moss buildup, inadequate matting.
    • Lighting deficiencies: dim or burned‑out fixtures in stairwells, hallways, entries, and parking areas’ hidden edges and level changes.
    • Flooring hazards: rippled carpeting, torn thresholds, loose tiles, curled mats, unsecured runners in lobbies and laundry rooms.
    • Parking lots and sidewalks: potholes, broken wheel stops, abrupt elevation changes, snow/ice ridges from poor drainage or downspouts.
    • Snow and ice: delayed plowing/sanding, failure to address melt‑refreeze cycles, untreated known trouble spots (north‑facing entries, shaded walks).

    Duties of Landlords and Property Managers

    Colorado premises liability law requires owners and those in control of property to use reasonable care to protect lawful visitors from dangers they knew or should have known about. In multifamily and commercial settings, that means written inspection protocols, responsive maintenance, and code compliance.

    • Inspection and maintenance: routine common‑area checks with documentation; prompt work orders and follow‑up.
    • Contractor oversight: qualified vendors for snow/ice, lighting, and repairs; scopes that match the property’s needs.
    • Code compliance: stair geometry, handrail design, lighting levels, non‑slip surfaces, and accessible routes must meet applicable codes and standards.
    • Warning and control: cones, signage, barricades, and temporary closures when a hazard can’t be immediately fixed.

    How We Prove Landlord Negligence

    Policies on paper aren’t enough—what matters is what happened before your fall. We collect objective records and testimony to show notice and unreasonable conduct.

    • Maintenance and inspection logs showing gaps or ignored problem areas.
    • Work orders, vendor invoices, and emails reflecting delayed or incomplete repairs.
    • Prior complaints from tenants and repeated maintenance tickets in the same location.
    • Code analysis with field measurements of stairs, railings, lighting, and flooring against standards.
    • Snow/ice logs and contractor records tied to weather timelines and temperature trends.
    • Surveillance video, door camera footage, and lighting level readings when available.

    Evidence to Preserve Early

    Time‑sensitive proof can disappear within days. We move fast to lock down the condition and the records that explain it.

    • Photos and video of the hazard, lighting, and any warnings (or lack of them).
    • Incident reports completed by onsite staff or security.
    • Requests to preserve surveillance footage and access control logs.
    • Copies of maintenance logs, inspection schedules, and snow/ice plans.
    • Measurements of stair riser/tread dimensions, rail height and graspability, light meter readings, and height differentials in sidewalks.
    • Witness statements from residents, visitors, and staff familiar with recurring issues.

    Apartment and Commercial Property Scenarios We See Often

    Each building type has recurring failure points. We tailor our investigation to the property’s layout, age, and use.

    • Walk‑up and garden‑style complexes: exterior stair rust and loosening, bare concrete treads, handrails that wiggle or end short of code.
    • Mid‑rise buildings: lobby marble or terrazzo with poor slip resistance when wet, revolving door mats too short for traffic volume.
    • Older properties: non‑compliant stair geometry and narrow rails never brought up to code despite renovations.
    • Parking structures: oil‑slick surfaces without absorbent treatment, broken wheel stops, and poor lighting.
    • Commercial campuses: long exterior walks with downspouts discharging onto paths, creating recurring ice sheets.

    Medical Proof and Life Impact

    Insurers often cast apartment falls as “minor.” We counter with consistent medical documentation and real‑world corroboration.

    • Early diagnosis and imaging when indicated; documentation of head impact if present.
    • Specialist evaluations (orthopedics, neurology, PM&R) and objective testing (ROM, strength, balance/vestibular, nerve studies).
    • Therapy notes tracking progress and persistent limitations; surgery and injection records when applicable.
    • Work restrictions, missed time, and employer verification of duty changes.
    • Tenant/family statements describing daily challenges—stairs avoided, sleep disrupted, activities curtailed.

    Snow and Ice at Multifamily Properties

    Winter conditions are foreseeable. Reasonable plans and execution matter more than the calendar.

    • Written plans: plowing, sanding, salting, and re‑inspection schedules that match foot traffic and layout.
    • Known trouble spots: downspouts that cross sidewalks, north‑facing entries, and shaded walkways.
    • Melt‑refreeze cycles: return visits to prevent ice ridges and black ice after daytime thaw.
    • Contractor oversight: clear scopes, performance monitoring, and documentation of treatments.

    What we gather to prove notice and failure:

    • Weather data synchronized with logs and photos of residual ice.
    • Vendor contracts and invoices; emails or texts between management and contractors.
    • Video showing treatment intervals and the duration of hazards.

    Stair and Handrail Failures

    Falls on stairs are serious and often trace to objective violations.

    • Out‑of‑code riser/tread geometry, inconsistent step heights, or missing nosings.
    • Loose or non‑graspable handrails, missing extensions at top/bottom landings.
    • Dim lighting and lack of contrast strips on treads.

    Proof we rely on:

    • Field measurements, illumination readings, and code comparisons.
    • Maintenance history and prior complaints showing notice.
    • Expert analysis of compliance and recommended corrections.

    Tenant vs. Landlord Responsibility

    Owners sometimes try to shift blame to tenants or third parties. We focus on who controlled the hazard and who had the ability and duty to fix it.

    • Common areas are typically the landlord’s responsibility, including snow/ice, lighting, and structural elements.
    • Private unit issues can still become landlord problems when known hazards extend into common travel paths or result from building systems (HVAC, plumbing leaks).
    • Property managers and out‑of‑state owners share responsibility when they control maintenance budgets and policies.

    What to Do After a Fall at an Apartment or Commercial Property

    Your priorities are health and evidence preservation. A few timely steps protect both.

    • Report the incident to management and request a copy of the report.
    • Photograph the hazard, lighting, and any cones or barriers (or their absence).
    • Ask in writing that surveillance video and logs be preserved.
    • Get names and contact info for witnesses and staff who assisted.
    • Keep your footwear and clothing as‑is; don’t wash or discard them.
    • Seek medical care promptly and describe all symptoms, including head impact.

    Damages You Can Recover

    Your claim should account for both immediate costs and long‑term effects. Recoverable damages include medical expenses now and in the future, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, out‑of‑pocket costs, and, when needed, household services and accommodations. Colorado law also allows recovery for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Comparative negligence, if any, can reduce recovery but doesn’t necessarily bar it.

    We represent clients across Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, Arvada, Thornton, and throughout Colorado, including Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Greeley, Pueblo, and mountain communities. Whether your fall happened at a multifamily complex, commercial office, or mixed‑use property, we can help.

    Why Choose Klibaner Law Firm?

    With more than three decades handling Colorado premises cases, we know how apartments and commercial properties are run—and where safety systems break down. We secure time‑sensitive video and logs, retain qualified experts, and present your medical story in a way insurers respect and juries understand. Our trial‑ready approach drives settlement value.

    If you were injured in a fall at an apartment or commercial property in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, contact Klibaner Law Firm for a free consultation. We’ll secure the evidence, coordinate your medical proof, and pursue full compensation. No fee unless we recover. Call 303‑863‑1445 or reach out online.