Boulder Tort Claims Lawyers — Pursuing and Defending Civil Liability Cases in Boulder County
Tort law is the branch of civil law that addresses wrongs — intentional, negligent, or strict liability — that cause harm to another person or their property. When those wrongs occur, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation through the civil courts. Whether you’re seeking damages for harm caused by someone else’s conduct or defending against a tort claim, Burnham Law’s Boulder civil attorneys bring the preparation and litigation experience these cases demand.
Meet our Boulder civil team below — attorneys experienced in tort litigation across personal injury, negligence, fraud, and related civil claims in Boulder County District Court.
Andrew is a seasoned attorney with over a decade of experience in navigating complex legal challenges. He has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of cases, including consumer protection matters, breach of warranty claims against major automotive manufacturers, mass tort litigation, and disputes with oil and gas companies. Andrew's approach is to combine meticulous preparation with practical problem-solving, a strategy that has consistently led to favorable outcomes for his clients. Throughout his career, Andrew has resolved hundreds of cases in state and federal courts, as well as in binding arbitration. His dedicated work has resulted in millions of dollars in recoveries for his clients. He is committed to achieving the best possible results, drawing on his extensive experience to provide comprehensive and effective legal counsel.
Brandon has partnered with business owners across every stage of the business lifecycle. His experience spans pre-litigation, third-party disputes, shareholder derivative actions, and business formation, as well as day-to-day advisory services. He is also a seasoned guide in complex transactions, including sales, mergers, and acquisitions. Throughout his career, Brandon has counseled clients through transactions ranging from several hundred thousand to mid-eight figures. Regardless of the deal’s scale, his objective remains steadfast: to provide a positive, measurable impact on his clients and their long-term business health. Brandon assists clients through all phases of litigation, from initial dispute resolution to mediation and arbitration. His background in transactional law provides him with a unique edge; having drafted the very contracts that often become the subject of legal disputes, he utilizes that intimate knowledge to navigate litigation effectively and help clients avoid future risks. When he is away from his practice, Brandon stays active by golfing and going to the gym. A self-proclaimed bourbon...
Brian Teed is a civil litigation attorney. He specializes in complex motions practice and appeals. Brian earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University, where he distinguished himself by interning for federal district judges and working for the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC. He also served on the executive board of the Arizona State Law Journal and published two articles on constitutional issues. After graduating, Brian clerked on the Arizona Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. At Burnham, he has served clients with litigation and transactional needs, whether negotiating, litigating, or advising on the best path forward. Some of his successes include the defense of two six-figure judgments on appeal. From this broad experience, Brian is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate the complexities and stress of civil litigation, including appeals.
Bryon has more than a decade of experience in probate, trust administration, and estate planning. His probate experience includes contesting fraudulent wills and litigating terms of estate plan documents. In preparing estate plans, Bryon emphasizes helping clients pass on as much of their estates to their loved ones as possible through careful and regular review by clients. Bryon also has experience in representing landlords in evictions, contracts, commercial sales transactions, public bidding, and special taxing districts. When not serving clients, Bryon enjoys camping, off-roading, and traveling with his family.
Before law school, Chris was a Television Broadcast News Reporter for NBC KOMU TV-8 and a Radio Broadcast News Reporter for NPR KBIA 91.3. During law school, Chris clerked for the General Counsel of a Major International Airline, he clerked for the Chief Judge of the Missouri Court of Appeals-Southern District, he clerked for a small civil litigation and real estate law firm in Columbia, and he was a summer intern at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C. in Kansas City. After law school, Chris became an Associate Attorney at McDowell Rice Smith & Buchanan, P.C.’s Country Club Plaza office eventually earning an Equity Shareholder Position. Since moving to Colorado in 2011, Chris has been a Business Operations Manager at a Denver-based multi-million dollar company, he has been a Contract Attorney for a medical device publicly-traded company, he has been a Staff Attorney at a boutique law firm providing bankruptcy legal services to consumers, and he has been the Bankruptcy...
Prior to joining Burnham, Cody began his career at a general practice law firm focusing primarily on commercial litigation, real estate litigation, real estate transactions, trusts and estates, probate, and oil and gas. Since then, he has honed his skills as an advocate with a focus on assisting his clients in navigating all stages of litigation and arbitration. Specifically, Cody has done multiple trials, arbitrations, mediations, and depositions, obtaining efficient and favorable results for his clients. As a result of this experience, Cody is keenly aware of the litigation process, and the strategic nuances that lead to success before and during trial. Cody is also an experienced corporate attorney who assists clients in business/shareholder disputes, transactions, and corporate structuring in a wide variety of industries, including construction, real estate acquisition and development, lifestyle brands, and many more. In his off time, Cody enjoys hiking, skiing, trying some of Denver’s best places to eat, and spending time with his Labrador Ollie.
David is a highly experienced litigator and trial attorney focusing on commercial disputes, litigation, and arbitrations. He has been representing individuals and businesses for over three decades and is a relentless advocate and seasoned trial attorney. David has honed his skills practicing with both international firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dorsey & Whitney, and Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani), and respected local firms. He possesses extensive first-chair experience in civil trials, arbitrations, and appeals, offering clients dedicated and intense focus in a wide range of complex commercial matters. David grew up in Loveland, Colorado and attended the University of Denver's Daniels College of Business on a Boettcher Foundation Scholarship, earning a degree in Finance/Real Estate. He later received his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he was a member of the prestigious Minnesota Law Review and a director of the International Moot Court. David started his legal career in Kansas City focusing on pharmaceutical products liability litigation, before...
Erin has extensive experience representing clients in all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, with a focus on employment litigation, business and commercial disputes, and appellate matters. She also has significant experience in estate planning and probate, advising individuals and families on preserving their legacies and guiding them through the probate process with clarity and compassion. In addition to her private practice work, Erin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Jerry N. Jones of the Colorado Court of Appeals. She also previously clerked for the South Dakota Second Judicial Circuit, gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.
Kate strives to have a client-oriented practice where she can assist her clients in all stages of litigation. Prior to joining Burnham, Kate was an associate at an AmLaw Firm where she worked on various types of complex litigation representing large corporations, municipalities, and individuals. Before going into private practice, Kate was an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County where she tried over twenty cases. Kate has been able to develop a well-rounded practice by working in both the private and public sectors. Kate has honed her skill sets from her prior experience so she can be a zealous advocate for her clients. In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors, traveling, and visiting family.
Katlyn Schafer is passionate about helping her clients navigate their legal challenges by providing clear guidance, practical solutions, and strong advocacy at every stage of the process. Her practice spans a wide range of civil matters including personal disputes, consumer protection disputes, regulatory and administrative disputes, environmental disputes, and many others. Prior to joining Burnham Law, Katlyn worked as an Associate Attorney providing representation in worker's compensation disputes. During law school, Katlyn served on the editorial board for the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She interned with the Idaho Office of the Attorney General and gained experience working as a student-attorney to provide pro bono legal representation to various nonprofits in the New England area. In her free time, Katlyn can be found frequenting thrift stores, exploring the Colorado wilderness, and watching scary movies with her partner James and their pets, Gracie and Koda
Kayla is known for her effective legal strategies and creative solutions in resolving a wide range of disputes, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant matters, boundary disputes, and HOA conflicts. Kayla believes in understanding her clients' unique goals to secure the most beneficial results for them. Beyond her practice, Kayla is highly engaged in the legal community through volunteer board positions aimed at encouraging growth and supporting diverse voices. Her professional excellence has been consistently recognized, including being named a Top Attorney by Colorado Springs Magazine multiple times and a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. In her free time, Kayla enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, and exploring the outdoors. She is an accomplished runner, having completed challenging races like numerous half marathons and the Pikes Peak Ascent.
Logan completed his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University at Albany, and recently earned his J.D. from William and Mary Law School. Before entering law school, Logan spent time working in the in-house legal department of a 3rd party commercial lending company. In this role he assisted with business development projects with clients ranging from local coffee shops to large commercial developers in New York City. Prior to joining Burnham, Logan began his legal career at a local Denver law firm primarily practicing civil litigation defense. Since joining Burnham, Logan has represented a diverse range of clientele ranging from individuals engaged in civil disputes to general commercial litigation. Logan has successfully negotiated various settlements in his clients’ favor, both prior to and after commencement of litigation, in case types such as breach of contract, property damage, negligence, partition, fraud, landlord/tenant disputes, and bad faith insurance denial. In his free time, you can find Logan on one of the...
Sam focuses his practice on general litigation, transactional work—aiding small businesses and assisting in acquisitions—business litigation and breakups, and administrative work. Prior to joining the Burnham Law Firm, Sam acted as counsel at a major ski company and then in a firm setting. Sam is keenly aware of the fact that litigation can be stressful and complex. His background complements his ability to provide competent guidance and critical thinking to his clients’ cases and the corollary issues which stem from them. In his free time, Sam loves to backcountry ski, race road and mountain bikes, cook, read, play guitar, and sail.
Zac focuses mainly on civil litigation, and has experience with real estate litigation, real estate transactions and estate matters. He earned his bachelor’s degree and law degree at the University of Tennessee. In law school, he was a member of the Transactions: The Tennessee Journal of Business Law and a student-attorney in the Business Clinic. In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time with his wife and dog outdoors hiking, going to various restaurants, and being with friends. Zac is a die-hard Minnesota sports fan and Tennessee Volunteer fan.
Tort Law in Boulder, Colorado
Colorado tort law establishes the legal standards for civil liability — what conduct gives rise to a claim, what the injured party must prove, what defenses are available, and how damages are calculated. Tort claims are distinct from criminal cases: the government is not a party, the burden of proof is lower (preponderance of the evidence rather than beyond a reasonable doubt), and the remedy is monetary compensation or injunctive relief rather than criminal punishment.
Colorado applies a modified comparative fault system in negligence cases. A plaintiff who is partially responsible for their own injury can still recover damages, but their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. If a plaintiff is found to be 50% or more at fault, they are barred from recovery entirely. This system makes the allocation of fault a central battleground in many Colorado tort cases — both in settlement negotiations and at trial.
Boulder County’s demographics — a mix of outdoor recreation, university activity, construction, commercial development, and professional services — generate a consistent range of tort matters. Slip and fall cases, construction accidents, professional malpractice claims, business fraud, and defamation cases all arise regularly in this jurisdiction.
What Our Boulder Tort Attorneys Handle
Negligence claims: The most common category of tort claims. Negligence requires proving that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the plaintiff’s damages as a result. We handle negligence cases in a wide range of contexts — premises liability, professional negligence, motor vehicle accidents, and product-related injuries.
Intentional torts: When a defendant acts deliberately to cause harm — assault, battery, conversion of property, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or fraudulent misrepresentation — the resulting claims are intentional torts. These cases often involve punitive damages in addition to compensatory relief.
Fraud and misrepresentation: Civil fraud claims arise when one party makes a material false statement that another party relies on to their detriment. These cases frequently arise in the context of business transactions, real estate dealings, and investment arrangements. We pursue fraud claims on behalf of harmed parties and defend businesses against fraud allegations.
Defamation: Defamation claims — libel for written statements, slander for spoken ones — require proving that a false statement of fact was made to a third party and caused harm. Defamation cases in Colorado involve significant First Amendment considerations and require careful analysis of whether the plaintiff is a public or private figure.
Professional liability: When a professional — accountant, financial advisor, engineer, architect, or similar — fails to perform their services with the required standard of care, the resulting harm can give rise to a professional malpractice or negligence claim. We handle these cases for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Tort defense: When businesses or individuals are sued for tortious conduct, we provide aggressive defense — challenging the plaintiff’s theory of liability, disputing damages, and presenting affirmative defenses including comparative fault, assumption of risk, and statute of limitations.
How Boulder Tort Cases Work
Tort cases in Boulder County begin with filing a complaint identifying the parties, the alleged wrongful conduct, and the damages sought. After service and the defendant’s response, the case moves into discovery — the process of exchanging documents, taking depositions, and building the evidentiary record that will be used at trial or in settlement negotiations.
Expert witnesses are critical in many tort cases. Medical experts establish the nature and extent of injuries. Engineers or construction experts address causation in premises and construction cases. Economic experts calculate lost income and future damages. Identifying, retaining, and preparing effective experts is a major component of tort case preparation.
Colorado’s statute of limitations for most tort claims is two years from the date of the injury or discovery of the harm. Missing the statute of limitations bars the claim entirely, regardless of its merits. There are exceptions and tolling provisions that apply in specific circumstances, but timeliness is always the first issue to assess in any potential tort claim.
Why Burnham Law for Tort Claims in Boulder
Full-spectrum litigation capability. We handle tort cases from initial investigation through trial and, when necessary, appeal. Our attorneys have courtroom experience with these cases and approach each one with the preparation needed to go the distance if settlement isn’t possible on reasonable terms.
Expert coordination. Tort cases often turn on expert testimony. We have established relationships with credible, experienced experts in relevant fields and know how to work with them to develop testimony that holds up under cross-examination.
Honest case assessment. Not every potential tort claim is worth pursuing, and not every defense is winnable on the merits. We give clients direct assessments of their legal position — including realistic damages estimates and the likely cost of litigation — so they can make informed decisions.
Representation for plaintiffs and defendants. We represent both parties pursuing tort claims and parties defending against them. That experience on both sides of these cases makes us more effective on whichever side we’re on.
Frequently Asked Questions — Boulder Tort Claims
How long do I have to file a tort claim in Colorado?
Most tort claims in Colorado have a two-year statute of limitations. The clock typically starts running from the date of the injury or the date the injured party discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the harm. Some claims — including those against government entities — have shorter notice and filing requirements. A tort attorney should evaluate timeliness as a first step.
What damages can I recover in a Colorado tort case?
Colorado allows recovery for economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, future costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Colorado has caps on non-economic damages in many tort cases. Punitive damages are available in cases involving fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct, subject to statutory limitations.
What is Colorado’s comparative fault rule?
Colorado uses a modified comparative fault system. If a plaintiff is partially at fault for their own injury, their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. If the plaintiff is 50% or more at fault, they cannot recover anything. This means that in many cases, both sides work hard to shift the fault percentage — a small change in the allocation can have a large impact on the final award.
Can a business be liable for the tort of an employee?
Yes. Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers can be held vicariously liable for torts committed by their employees within the scope of employment. Businesses can also face direct liability for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention of employees whose conduct causes harm.
What should I do if I’ve been served with a tort lawsuit?
Contact an attorney immediately. You have a limited window to respond to the complaint — typically 21 days in Colorado — and failing to respond results in a default judgment against you. Even before that deadline, your attorney needs time to evaluate the claim, develop a defense strategy, and file a proper response.
Schedule a Consultation with a Boulder Tort Lawyer
Whether you’re pursuing a tort claim for harm caused by another’s wrongful conduct or defending against a lawsuit, having experienced Boulder civil counsel from the start improves your outcome. We handle both sides of tort litigation and give clients a clear-eyed assessment of their position from the first conversation.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Boulder tort attorneys are ready to evaluate your case.
