Arapahoe County · Insurance bad faith
Englewood Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
When an Englewood insurer denies or delays your valid claim, we investigate and hold them accountable—no fee unless we recover.
What Is Insurance Bad Faith?
Bad faith can occur when an insurance company fails to evaluate your claim fairly and promptly, even when the facts support coverage. This includes delayed investigations, denials without proper basis, and underpayments that contradict the policy language. Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UIM) claims are particularly vulnerable to bad-faith handling—insurers sometimes drag out the process or reject legitimate claims to reduce their payout.
We review the complete record: your policy, the claim file, all correspondence with the insurer, recorded statements, medical records you submitted, and the timeline of the insurer's actions. If we find that the company acted unreasonably—whether through unexplained delay, selective evidence-gathering, or a denial unsupported by the policy or facts—we pursue a bad-faith claim to recover not only the benefit you should have received, but also damages for the insurer's misconduct.
How We Build a Bad-Faith Case
Discovery in bad-faith litigation exposes the insurer's internal thinking. We obtain the complete claim file, including notes, evaluations, reserve amounts, and communications between adjusters, supervisors, and attorneys. We review coverage letters and payment records to establish what the company decided and when. The Englewood Police Department report and medical records filed with the claim create the factual foundation—and often reveal gaps in the insurer's investigation.
We construct a timeline showing each step (or failure to step) in the insurer's handling. Did they investigate promptly? Did they obtain all available medical evidence before denying or limiting payment? Were internal evaluations contradicted by their denial letter? We compare the policy language to the facts, and if the insurer's position was unreasonable, that forms the basis of liability. Cases are resolved through negotiation or litigation at the Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Local investigations may involve Englewood Police Department, policies covering Englewood residents and disputes that may proceed in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
To evaluate a potential bad faith claim against your insurer, gather and preserve:
- The complete insurance policy, including declarations page, coverage sections, and exclusions
- All communications with the insurer: emails, letters, phone logs, recorded statements, and claim confirmations
- Original claim submission and any follow-up requests or amendments
- Medical records, bills, and wage loss documentation submitted to support the claim
- Insurer's coverage letters, denial letters, and written explanations for delay or partial payment
- Internal insurer documents obtained through discovery: claim notes, coverage evaluations, reserve assessments, and adjuster reports
- Payment records showing what was paid, when, and for which benefits
- Timeline of all events: injury date, claim date, investigation dates, correspondence dates, and payment dates
- Any communications showing the basis for the insurer's decision to delay, deny, or reduce benefits
- Receipts and documentation for any out-of-pocket expenses due to delayed or denied coverage
- For uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) claims: the at-fault driver's policy limits and your policy language on UIM stacking
This evidence is critical for proving whether the insurer's conduct was unreasonable and whether you have a valid bad faith claim. Early review of your policy and claim file with an attorney can identify claims-handling violations before the statute of limitations expires.
Medical Evidence and Claim Documentation
Your medical records and bills are central to proving the value of your claim and, often, to proving bad faith. If you were treated at HCA HealthONE Swedish or another facility, those records show the nature and cost of your injuries. When an insurer delays requesting records, refuses to acknowledge receipt, or ignores them in favor of a quick denial, that conduct can itself be bad faith.
We gather your complete medical submission, any wage-loss documentation, and correspondence showing what you provided to the insurer and when. We also obtain the insurer's internal notes about what information they had and whether they reviewed it before making a coverage decision. This evidence often reveals that the insurer's stated reason for denial or underpayment does not match what they actually knew at the time.
Official Englewood hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages in Bad-Faith Claims
- The unpaid or underpaid benefit (the amount the insurer should have paid under the policy)
- Interest on the withheld benefit, from the date payment was due
- Emotional distress and aggravation caused by the wrongful denial or delay
- Punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was reckless or intentional
- Attorney fees and costs of litigation
Bad-faith claims are litigated in Arapahoe County, and juries are often sympathetic to policyholders who acted in good faith while their insurer did not.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Englewood — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Englewood Insurance bad faith FAQ
What does it mean when an insurance company acts in bad faith in Englewood?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate and handle your claim fairly and promptly. In Colorado, an insurer must act in good faith and deal fairly with policyholders. Bad faith can include denying a valid claim without adequate investigation, delaying payment unreasonably, misrepresenting coverage, or failing to communicate the basis for a denial. The insurer has a duty to investigate your claim thoroughly before deciding to deny or delay benefits. If the insurer's conduct is unreasonable and causes you damages, you may have a bad faith claim against them in addition to your benefits claim.
What is the deadline to file a bad faith lawsuit against my insurance company?
Deadlines for bad faith claims depend on the type of policy, the benefit requested, the date you became aware of the unreasonable delay or denial, and other factors specific to your case. Colorado law imposes strict time limits for filing lawsuits. Because deadlines vary and the statute of limitations can be shortened by policy language, it is important to preserve your complete claim timeline and policy immediately and to have an attorney review your claim promptly. Waiting to act can result in losing your right to sue.
Can I file a bad faith claim for an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) denial in Englewood?
Yes. Bad faith claims apply to UIM coverage just as they do to other first-party benefits. If your insurer unreasonably denies or delays UIM benefits after an at-fault driver causes injury, you may have a bad faith claim. This is especially common when the at-fault driver's policy limits are low and your own UIM coverage should apply. The insurer must fairly evaluate your UIM claim and provide a clear written explanation if they deny it. Review your policy language on UIM stacking and obtain your complete claim file to evaluate whether the insurer acted reasonably.
What kind of damages can I recover in a bad faith case?
In a successful bad faith claim, you can recover the full amount of the delayed or wrongfully denied benefit, plus damages for the insurer's unreasonable conduct. These damages may include interest on the unpaid benefit, emotional distress, and in some cases attorney fees and costs. You may also recover additional damages if the insurer's conduct was particularly egregious. The goal is to put you in the position you would have been in had the insurer handled your claim fairly and promptly. Each case is different, and the damages available depend on the facts, the policy, and the insurer's specific conduct.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a bad faith insurance claim?
McCormick & Murphy handles injury and bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. This means we earn an attorney fee only if the case is settled or won. You pay nothing upfront in attorney fees. Advanced case costs—such as filing fees, expert witness fees, and discovery costs—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you before they are incurred. This arrangement allows you to pursue a bad faith claim without financial risk if the claim does not succeed.
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