Injuries on residential sidewalks.
By Daniel E DAngelo Esq on September 17, 2012
Falls from poorly maintained sidewalks can cause serious bodily injuries to hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, heads, and backs. Many City and County of Denver property owners are surprised when they learn they are responsible for repairing and maintaining sidewalks and right-of-way areas on their property. Injuries caused by a property owner’s failure to maintain their sidewalk and/or right-of-way area in a reasonable manner may subject the property owner to liability for those injuries.
The City and County of Denver Right-of-Way Department identifies the following sidewalk problems as a violation of Denver Municipal Code:
Missing section(s) of sidewalk, drive-walk, driveway, curb and gutter or other concrete sections
A difference in elevation of ¾ inch or more between two adjoining concrete sections (see the quarter test below)
Excessive slope of concrete section(s) either toward the curb or property line. One side being more than 1-3/4 inch higher than the other side
Unstable walking surface(s) due to any gaps or larger cracks over ¾ inch wide
Unstable walking surface(s) such as badly spalled or pitted areas
Concrete section(s) that have not been constructed in compliance with city specifications
If a quarter (a quarter is larger than ¾ of an inch) can fit into a hole it is a violation; also if there is more than a quarter’s size of difference in elevation between two sections it is a violation.
If you were injured due to a dangerous condition on a residential sidewalk, you may have a claim against the landowner for failure to maintain their property in a safe manner.
