Verdict in a recent case involving a trip-and-fall accident on construction site.

According to the November 23, 2009 Jury Verdct Reporter of Colorado (which I assume got held up in the mail somewhere), there was a trial last summer in El Paso County District Court involving a sub-subcontractor (Barnett) claiming to have been injured on a residential construction site.  Barnett claimed to have been injured when he fell off a ramp leading to the entrance of a townhome that was under construction, injuring his knee resulting in physical impairment and physical limitations.  According to the defendant, Peak Framing, Barnett had walked up and down the ramp several times on the day of the accident before he fell.  There were no witnesses to the accident.  The final demand before trial was $48,750 and the final offer was $15,000.  After a four-day jury trial, the jury returned a verdict for the defendant.

In an interesting twist, the jury was advised that the plaintiff held a medical marijuana certificate, which, according to the plaintiff, was needed to alleviate the knee pain from his construction site fall.  According to the defendant, the plaintiff had also applied for a medical marijuana certificate for neck pain.

For additional information regarding Colorado construction litigation, please contact David M. McLain at (303) 987-9813 or by e-mail at mclain@hhmrlaw.com.

Recent Posts

Denver’s Minimum Wage: How a Small Payroll Mistake Can Become a Big Problem for Colorado Contractors

A construction company underpays an employee by $2.32 for a single day’s work.  It corrects…

4 days ago

Colorado Is Pricing Itself Out of Prosperity: Housing Affordability, Government Policy, and the Cost of Building

Colorado built its reputation on opportunity.  For decades, the state attracted families, workers, entrepreneurs, and…

6 days ago

You Filed a Mechanic’s Lien. Then You Discovered a Mistake. Now What?

Recording a mechanic's lien is an important tool for Colorado contractors seeking payment for labor,…

1 week ago

One Building, Six Owners, One Defective Stucco System: How Do You Coordinate Repairs?

Colorado's new right-of-access statute may help address one of the unintended consequences of individually owned…

1 week ago

Same Insurers, Different Results: Another Chapter in Acuity v. Kinsale and the Limits of Co-Carrier Recovery Under Colorado Law

When multiple insurers potentially owe coverage for the same construction defect claim, can one insurer…

2 weeks ago

Not All Warranty E-Mails Are Notices of Claim

Colorado's construction defect statutes establish specific requirements for notices of claim and statutory tolling. It…

2 weeks ago