Fremont County · Insurance bad faith
Florence Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Florence insurer denied or delayed your claim unfairly—we hold them accountable and recover compensation for the harm caused.
What Makes a Bad Faith Claim
Insurance bad faith can occur when your insurer breaches the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in evaluating your claim. This is not just a breach of contract—it is a separate legal wrong. Your insurer must investigate your claim promptly, communicate honestly with you, and make coverage decisions based on the policy language and the facts you present. When an insurer ignores evidence, misinterprets the policy, or delays payment without legitimate reason, we can pursue a bad faith lawsuit on your behalf.
Many bad faith cases involve uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage after a car accident on Colorado Highway 67, Colorado Highway 115, or other local roads. Other claims involve health insurance, homeowners insurance, or disability benefits. What ties them together is this: the insurer knew or should have known that the claim was valid, yet still delayed or denied it. We examine whether the insurer's handling was unreasonable under the circumstances and whether you relied on that coverage when you needed it most.
How We Prove Bad Faith
We start by reviewing your policy word-for-word to confirm that your claim falls within the covered benefits. We then obtain the claim file through discovery—including internal evaluations, reserve notes, correspondence, and recorded statements. This file often reveals whether the insurer investigated thoroughly or cut corners. We also request payment records and coverage decisions to establish a timeline of delay or denial.
Our investigation examines what the insurer knew at each step and whether their stated reason for delay or denial holds up under scrutiny. We interview you and any witnesses, gather medical records from CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City or other providers, and consult with specialists when needed. We also review public reports from the Florence Police Department and Fremont County Sheriff's Office if a collision or incident led to your claim. By combining your account, the evidence in the file, and expert analysis, we build a clear picture of unreasonable conduct.
Local investigations may involve Florence Police Department and Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, policies covering Florence residents and disputes that may proceed in Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City.
Gather and preserve these items to support a bad faith insurance claim:
- Original policy documents and all amendments or endorsements
- Written claim submission and proof of delivery to the insurer
- All correspondence from the insurer, including coverage letters, denial letters, and explanations
- Recorded statements (audio or written summaries) given to the insurer
- Medical records, bills, and wage loss documentation you submitted
- Payment records showing any amounts paid and dates
- Internal insurer evaluations, reserves, or coverage analyses obtained during discovery
- Complete timeline of all claim-handling events (dates, persons contacted, actions taken)
- Documentation of any delays or reasons given for non-payment
- Communications with the Florence Police Department or Fremont County Sheriff's Office if the claim involves a motor vehicle incident on Colorado Highway 67, Colorado Highway 115, or local roads
- Medical records from CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital in Cañon City or other treatment providers
- Copies of any bad faith demand letters sent to the insurer
- Your own records of out-of-pocket expenses caused by the delay or denial
Medical and Financial Records in Bad Faith Cases
Bad faith claims often hinge on whether the insurer properly reviewed medical evidence. If you were injured and submitted medical records, bills, or treatment notes to support your claim, we verify that the insurer actually read and considered them. We obtain your medical records from CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital or other healthcare providers to confirm the extent of your injury and the reasonableness of your medical costs. We also gather wage loss documentation and proof of any out-of-pocket expenses you incurred while waiting for payment.
The timeline of your submissions and the insurer's responses is crucial. We reconstruct the sequence of events: when you filed your claim, when you provided medical evidence, when the insurer acknowledged receipt, and when they made their decision. Gaps, delays, or requests for documents already in their file can demonstrate bad faith. We also examine whether the insurer reserved funds or updated their reserves, which may show they recognized the claim's validity while still withholding payment.
Official Florence hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages Available in Bad Faith Cases
- The full amount of your original claim that the insurer wrongfully denied or underpaid
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, frustration, and loss of peace of mind caused by the delay or denial
- Financial hardship expenses: medical bills you paid out-of-pocket, credit card interest, or loans taken to cover costs the insurer should have paid
- Punitive damages in cases of particularly egregious conduct, intended to punish the insurer and deter similar behavior
- Attorney fees and litigation costs if Colorado law permits recovery for your type of claim
We present these damages to the jury at Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City, supporting each item with evidence from the claim file, your testimony, and expert testimony when appropriate.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Florence — and read client testimonials.
A pickup hit me from behind on Hwy 50 east of Pueblo. The insurer offered $2,600. McCormick & Murphy helped with treatment, filed suit, and the case settled at mediation for $165,000.
C. O., Pueblo · Highway 50 crash
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Florence Insurance bad faith FAQ
What does 'bad faith' mean in an insurance claim?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate your claim fairly and promptly, delays payment without good cause, denies a valid claim, or underpays benefits you are entitled to under your policy. The insurer must act in good faith when investigating, deciding, and paying claims. If they do not, they may be liable for damages beyond what the policy covers.
How long do I have to file a bad faith claim in Colorado?
Insurance deadlines depend on your specific policy language, the type of benefit you claimed, and the insurer's conduct. Some policies have short time limits for filing claims; others have longer windows. The statute of limitations for a bad faith lawsuit varies by claim type. It is important to preserve your complete claim file and timeline now and obtain a case-specific deadline review from an attorney.
What happens in discovery when we pursue bad faith against my insurer?
Discovery is the process where both sides exchange documents and information. Your attorney will obtain the insurer's entire claim file, internal notes, reserve amounts, coverage evaluations, and communications. We will also request their investigation materials, recorded statements, and any reasons documented for delay or denial. This evidence is often the key to proving bad faith.
What does McCormick & Murphy charge to handle my bad faith case?
McCormick & Murphy handles injury and insurance claims on a contingency fee basis. That means the firm earns an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You do not pay the fee upfront. Advanced case costs—such as filing fees, expert fees, or deposition costs—are separate from the attorney fee and are handled according to your fee agreement.
If I live in Florence or nearby areas like Cañon City or Penrose, can McCormick & Murphy help me?
Yes. McCormick & Murphy's Pueblo office serves clients in Florence, Fremont County, and surrounding communities. We are familiar with the Fremont County Combined Courts in Cañon City, local law enforcement, and regional medical providers like CommonSpirit St. Thomas More Hospital. We can meet with you to discuss your claim.
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