Denver Rental Property Accident Attorneys
You Have the Right to be Safe Where You Live
If you are a renter, your landlord must take reasonable steps to maintain a safe and healthy environment where you live. That means regularly inspecting the property and making necessary repairs before someone gets injured.
When a landlord fails to make repairs in a timely manner or allows their property to fall into disrepair, people will get hurt. You and your family should not have to suffer physical harm due to the thoughtless actions of a careless landlord.
At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C., our trial lawyers represent people who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death due to the negligence of others. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed because a landlord neglected to fulfill their responsibility of care, we want to hear about it.
Call Leventhal Puga Braley P.C. today at (303) 759-9945 for a FREE consultation with one of our attorneys.
Landlords Must Eliminate Hazards
Landlords have a responsibility to eliminate hazards in a timely manner. That means responding to tenant complaints right away. If a landlord was aware of a dangerous situation but refused to take care of it, they may be held liable for injuries that occur. Landlords can also be held responsible for injures that happen due to a hazard they should have discovered before it hurt someone.
Landlords are responsible for maintaining an exterior that’s free of hazards. But lack of concern about tenant safety and a desire to save money often cause landlords to overlook conditions that may lead to serious injuries. The following types of hazards must be addressed as quickly as possible, before somebody gets hurt.
- Sidewalks that are uneven, damaged, or slippery due to ice and snow
- Hallways that are poorly lit or have obstructions
- Balconies that are improperly secured or lack guards and railing
- Stairs that are loose, uneven, poorly lit, or have loose or missing handrails
- Overhead objects that may fall and harm tenants
- Potholes that can cause a fall
- Playgrounds with broken or dangerous equipment
- Unmarked construction areas
- Exposed and faulty wiring that could electrocute someone or start a fire
- Smoke alarms that don’t work
- Loose flooring or torn carpet that may lead to a fall
- Leaky pipes or gutters that create a slippery surface
- Malfunctioning elevators that threaten to cause injury and falls
- Parking lots with poor lighting, missing signage, or malfunctioning gates
- Pools without fences, locks, and warning signs
What to Do After an Accident in Denver
If you are a renter who has been injured in an accident where you live, seek medical attention right away. Be sure to keep records for all your medical care, including:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency rooms treatment
- Doctor’s office visits
- Surgeries
- Long-term care
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Do everything you can to document the accident. Take photographs of the accident scene and collect contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. This will make it easier for your personal injury lawyer to conduct a full investigation.
Insurance companies make their money by paying out as little as possible in claims. Insurance company representatives might try to trick you into making statements that could damage your claim. That’s why it’s important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident. It’s best to allow your lawyer to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Guests and Trespassers Don’t Have the Same Legal Status as Tenants
A premises liability case is only allowed to go forward in accordance with the Colorado Premises Liability Act. According to Colorado law, there are three distinct classifications for non-tenants who are injured while on rental property: licensee, invitee, or trespasser. Here is how the categories are defined:
- A licensee is a social guest of the landlord or a tenant.
- An invitee is someone who enters the property to conduct business with the owner, such as a painter or repair person. They are only expected to remain on the property while their business is being conducted.
- A trespasser is a person who enters or remains on the property or a portion of the property without the owner’s consent.
When a premises liability case is brought by a person who is not a tenant, the plaintiff’s legal status must be determined by the court. The landlord’s duty of care for these categories of plaintiffs is as follows:
- A licensee may only recover damages caused by:
a) The landlord’s failure to use reasonable care concerning dangers they knew about
b) The landlord’s unreasonable failure to warn of dangers that are not ordinarily present on the property - An invitee can only recover damages caused by the landlord’s failure to use reasonable care to protect against dangers they knew about or should have known about.
- A trespasser can only collect damages when the landlord deliberately or willfully harms them.
Get the Legal Service You Deserve
If another person’s negligence caused your injuries at a rental property, then you shouldn’t have to pay for your own medical care. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C, we will fight to get you a settlement that allows you to put your life back together.
Call (303) 759-9945 to speak with one of our Denver premises liability attorneys today. We only get paid if you receive a settlement or a verdict. At Leventhal Puga Braley P.C, we’re on your side.
Great Trial Lawyers Obtaining Unparalleled Results
303-759-9945 
877-433-3906