{"id":371997,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-negligence-laws.html"},"modified":"2022-12-20T11:55:11","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T16:55:11","slug":"colorado-negligence-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-negligence-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Negligence Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Negligence Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Garrett Monteagudo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

When one party owes another party a duty — such as a shopkeeper’s requirement to keep the floor clean — and deviates from that duty, they are considered negligent. If this negligence<\/a> causes injury to the other party (or parties), then they may be held liable for damages.<\/p>\r\n

Negligence is the legal basis for most personal injury and accident-related lawsuits, including slip-and-fall and medical malpractice injuries. While negligence claims are based on common law and are very similar among different states, state laws often have subtle differences in how fault is assigned and damages are awarded.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides a general overview of Colorado’s negligence laws.<\/p>\r\n

What Are Colorado’s Negligence Laws?<\/h2>\r\n

Colorado is a modified comparative negligence state. Meaning, the plaintiff’s damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. But, if the plaintiff is found to be more negligent or equal to the combined negligence of the defendant, the plaintiff gets nothing.<\/p>\r\n

For example, a motorist who was speeding when he was struck and injured by a drunk driver may have his damages reduced in proportion to his share of the fault. But if the court determines the claimant’s negligence to be greater than the defendant, the plaintiff may not recover any damages.<\/p>\r\n

See the chart below to learn more about Colorado’s negligence laws, and FindLaw’s Negligence<\/a> section for additional articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code Section<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

\u00a7 13-21-111 of the Colorado Revised Statutes<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Modified Comparative Negligence<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Contributory negligence does not bar recovery if the claimant’s negligence is not greater than or equal to the defendant’s. But any damages allowed are diminished in proportion to the claimant’s attributed negligence (\u00a7 13-21-111)<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Contributory Negligence-Limit to Plaintiff’s Recovery<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

– See above.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Contribution Among Tortfeasors<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Yes; \u00a7\u00a713-50.5-101<\/a> to 13.50.5-106<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Uniform Act<\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Yes. \u00a7\u00a713-50.5-101<\/a> to 13.50.5-106<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note: State laws are constantly changing — make sure you talk to a Colorado personal injury attorney<\/a> or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n