Fort Collins Tort Claims Lawyers — Civil Liability Representation in Larimer County
Tort law is the branch of civil law that holds parties accountable for wrongs — negligent, intentional, or fraudulent conduct — that cause harm to another person or their property. When those wrongs happen in Fort Collins and Larimer County, the injured party has the right to pursue compensation through the civil courts. Whether you’re seeking damages for harm you’ve suffered or defending a business or individual against a tort claim, Burnham Law’s Fort Collins civil attorneys bring the preparation and litigation experience that Larimer County District Court cases require.
Meet our Fort Collins civil team below — attorneys experienced in tort litigation across negligence, fraud, defamation, and civil liability claims in Larimer County and throughout Colorado.
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 Fort Collins, Colorado
Tort law establishes when one party’s conduct gives rise to civil liability for harm caused to another. Negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, and fraud each have their own elements and defenses, but all require demonstrating that the defendant’s conduct caused measurable harm that the law recognizes as compensable. The categories cover a wide range of real-world situations — from slip-and-fall accidents on commercial property and professional malpractice to business fraud and defamation claims arising from online publications.
Colorado’s modified comparative fault system applies in negligence cases. A plaintiff who bears some responsibility for their own harm can still recover, but their damages are reduced proportionally by their share of fault. If they are 50% or more at fault, they recover nothing. This system makes fault allocation a central strategic issue in most Colorado tort cases — arguments about percentage of fault directly affect the damages calculation at trial and the settlement leverage at the negotiating table.
Fort Collins and Larimer County generate a distinctive mix of tort claims that reflects the character of this community. Colorado State University creates a significant population of students, faculty, and research personnel. The outdoor recreation economy — cycling, hiking, climbing, whitewater — generates recreational accident claims. The technology and clean energy sectors produce professional liability and business fraud matters. The region’s rapid residential and commercial development creates premises liability and construction-related tort claims with regularity.
What Our Fort Collins Tort Attorneys Handle
Negligence claims: Negligence requires proof 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 Fort Collins across a wide range of contexts — premises liability, professional negligence, recreational accidents, contractor negligence, and product-related injuries.
Intentional torts: When a defendant deliberately causes harm — assault, battery, conversion of property, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or fraudulent misrepresentation — the resulting claims are intentional torts. These cases frequently support punitive damages claims in addition to compensatory relief.
Fraud and misrepresentation: Civil fraud claims arise when a material false statement is made by one party that another relies on to their detriment. These cases arise regularly in Fort Collins’ active technology, real estate, and investment communities. We pursue fraud claims for harmed parties and defend businesses against fraud allegations in Larimer County.
Defamation: Defamation — libel for written false statements, slander for spoken ones — requires proof that a false statement of fact was communicated to a third party and caused harm. Fort Collins’ university community and active online culture make defamation claims more common here than in many markets. These cases require careful analysis of First Amendment considerations and the public/private figure distinction.
Professional liability: Professionals — accountants, engineers, architects, financial advisors, and similar practitioners — who fail to meet their standard of care can face civil liability for the resulting harm. Fort Collins’ significant professional services and engineering communities generate professional liability claims that require expert analysis of the applicable standard.
University and recreational tort claims: The combination of CSU’s large student population and Fort Collins’ outdoor recreation culture creates a category of tort claims — recreational accidents, premises liability on university and public property, and event-related injuries — that require specific knowledge of the applicable duty of care standards and governmental immunity considerations.
How Fort Collins Tort Cases Work
Tort cases in Larimer County begin with filing a complaint in Larimer County District Court identifying the parties, the alleged wrongful conduct, and the damages claimed. After service and the defendant’s answer, the case moves into discovery — the process of exchanging documents, taking depositions, and developing the evidentiary record that will be used at trial or in settlement negotiations.
Expert witnesses are often central to tort cases in Fort Collins. Medical experts establish the nature and extent of injuries. Engineers and safety experts address causation in premises, construction, and product cases. In cases involving CSU or other institutional defendants, experts on the applicable standard of care and institutional practices may be required. Identifying, retaining, and preparing credible experts is a major component of tort case preparation in Larimer County.
Colorado’s statute of limitations for most tort claims is two years from the date of injury or discovery of harm. Tort claims against Colorado state and local government entities — including CSU, the City of Fort Collins, or Larimer County — require a Notice of Claim filed within 182 days of the incident as a mandatory condition precedent to filing suit. Missing the governmental notice deadline bars the claim entirely, regardless of its merits. Timeliness is always the first issue to assess.
Why Burnham Law for Tort Claims in Fort Collins
Northern Front Range litigation experience. We appear regularly in Larimer County District Court and understand how this jurisdiction handles tort cases — from the court’s case management expectations to the expert witness standards that judges in this district apply.
University and institutional claim knowledge. Fort Collins’ major institutional presence — CSU, the City, and Larimer County government — creates tort claims that involve governmental immunity considerations and notice requirements that most civil litigators outside this market don’t regularly handle. We navigate these frameworks routinely.
Expert coordination. Tort cases often turn on expert testimony. We work with credible, field-experienced experts and prepare them effectively for the demands of Larimer County litigation.
Both sides of tort litigation. We represent plaintiffs pursuing tort claims and defendants fighting them. Dual-side experience makes us more effective advocates on either side of these cases because we understand the full picture of how they’re built and how they’re contested.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fort Collins Tort Claims
How long do I have to file a tort claim in Fort Collins?
Most tort claims in Colorado have a two-year statute of limitations running from the date of injury or discovery of harm. Claims against the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, Colorado State University, or other governmental entities require a written Notice of Claim filed within 182 days of the incident before a lawsuit can be filed — this is a mandatory condition precedent that cannot be waived. Missing the governmental notice deadline bars the claim entirely. Contact a tort attorney promptly if a government entity may be involved.
Can I file a tort claim against Colorado State University?
Yes, but CSU is a state institution, which means tort claims against it are subject to the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. Claims must begin with a written Notice of Claim filed within 182 days of the incident with the Colorado Attorney General’s office and the institution. The CGIA also limits the categories of claims for which governmental immunity is waived — not every type of negligence claim is actionable against a government entity. A tort attorney experienced with governmental claims should evaluate the specific facts.
What damages can I recover in a Colorado tort case?
Colorado tort plaintiffs can recover economic damages — medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future costs — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Colorado caps non-economic damages in many tort cases. Punitive damages are available for conduct involving fraud, malice, or willful and wanton disregard, subject to statutory caps tied to the compensatory damages award. Claims against governmental entities may have additional limitations on available damages under the CGIA.
What if I was partially at fault for my own injury in Fort Collins?
Colorado’s modified comparative fault system allows a partially-at-fault plaintiff to recover as long as their fault does not exceed 49%. Their damages are reduced by their percentage of fault. If they are found 50% or more at fault, they recover nothing. Fault allocation is a central dispute in most Colorado negligence cases — both sides work hard to influence how the percentage is assigned, because even small changes can significantly affect the damages award.
What should I do immediately after a tort injury in Fort Collins?
Document everything promptly — photographs of the scene and your injuries, incident reports, witness contact information, and medical records. Seek medical attention both for your health and to create a contemporaneous record. Avoid giving recorded statements to the other party or their insurer before speaking with an attorney. If a government entity may be involved, be acutely aware of the 182-day notice of claim deadline and contact an attorney immediately — that window is shorter than most people realize.
Schedule a Consultation with a Fort Collins Tort Lawyer
Whether you are pursuing a tort claim for harm you’ve suffered or defending against a civil liability lawsuit in Larimer County, experienced local counsel makes a real difference in the outcome. We represent both sides of tort litigation and give clients direct, honest assessments of their legal position from the first conversation.
Call (303) 990-5308 or schedule a confidential consultation online. Our Fort Collins tort attorneys handle civil liability cases throughout Larimer County and the Northern Front Range.
