Arapahoe County · Insurance bad faith
Greenwood Village Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Greenwood Village insurer denying or delaying your claim? We investigate and prove bad faith, holding them liable for unreasonable denial or underpayment.
How Insurance Bad Faith Claims Work
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to deal fairly with you after you submit a valid claim. This includes refusing to pay without a reasonable basis, dragging out investigations beyond what is necessary, or ignoring clear policy language that covers your injury or loss. In Greenwood Village and across Arapahoe County, we see insurers mishandle first-party claims—especially uninsured and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage after accidents on I-25, Belleview Avenue, Orchard Road, and other local roads. We analyze the policy language, the insurer's communications with you, and their internal evaluations to identify when their conduct crosses the line from disagreement into bad faith.
We review the entire claim timeline: when you filed, when the insurer acknowledged receipt, how long they took to investigate, and what they actually did to evaluate your claim. We obtain internal reserves, coverage opinions, and investigative notes through discovery. If the evidence shows the insurer lacked a reasonable basis for denial or delay, or acted recklessly in disregarding your rights, we build a case for bad faith damages. Our goal is to recover not only what the policy promised, but also compensation for the harm caused by the insurer's misconduct.
What We Investigate and Prove
We start with the insurance policy itself—every clause, exclusion, and condition. We compare the policy language to the facts of your injury or loss and determine whether the insurer had any legitimate reason to deny coverage. We collect all correspondence between you and the insurer, including emails, letters, claim denial notices, and any recorded statements. We trace the timeline of your submissions: medical records, wage loss documentation, repair estimates, or other proof of loss. We obtain the insurer's claim file through litigation discovery, which reveals internal evaluations, coverage memoranda, reserve notes, and the investigation report. This file shows what the insurer knew and when they knew it.
We analyze whether the insurer's stated reason for denying or delaying payment was reasonable given the evidence available to them at each stage. We examine how similarly situated claims were handled to show a pattern of unfair treatment. We interview you about your communications with the insurer and the impact of their delay or denial on your recovery and finances. If the insurer had no reasonable basis for their decision, or if they ignored or misrepresented material facts, we document that bad faith. We present this evidence to the insurance company's adjuster, management, and counsel—and if necessary, to a jury at Arapahoe County Justice Center.
Local investigations may involve Greenwood Village Police Department, policies covering Greenwood Village residents and disputes that may proceed in Arapahoe County Justice Center.
To establish bad faith by your insurer, you must gather and preserve:
- The insurance policy itself, including all endorsements and declarations pages.
- Proof you submitted a valid, complete claim (date, method, what was claimed).
- All correspondence with the insurer: letters, emails, phone logs, claim status updates.
- Medical records, wage loss statements, repair estimates, or other documentation you submitted to support the claim.
- The insurer's explanation in writing for any delay, denial, or underpayment—the stated reason matters.
- Internal insurer documents showing reserves, evaluations, or investigation notes (obtained through litigation discovery).
- The complete timeline from claim submission through the final decision, including dates of calls, requests for more information, and responses.
- Payment records if the insurer paid part of the claim but not the full amount you believe is due.
- For uninsured or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage disputes, the policy language defining that benefit and proof of the at-fault party's insurance limits.
Start collecting these materials now and bring them to your consultation. Your claim file and policy are the foundation of any bad faith case.
Medical Records and Documentation
Your medical records are central to proving the insurer acted in bad faith. We obtain records from HCA HealthONE Swedish, Sky Ridge Medical Center, and any other providers who treated you as a result of your injury. These records show the nature and extent of your harm, the treatment you required, and the ongoing care you need. We also gather wage loss documentation from your employer, proof of out-of-pocket expenses, and any rehabilitation or follow-up care recommended by your doctors. The insurer must evaluate all of this material fairly; if they ignored medical opinions, cherry-picked records, or refused to consider treatment supported by your physicians, that conduct supports a bad faith claim.
We work with medical experts to review the insurer's handling of your claim. If the insurer denied coverage for treatment that was medically necessary or refused to pay for a procedure recommended by your treating physician, we document how their decision departed from reasonable insurance practices. We compare the medical evidence you submitted to the insurer's explanation for their denial or delay. When the evidence is clear and the insurer's refusal is not, we have a strong bad faith case.
Official Greenwood Village hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages You May Recover
- The unpaid benefits owed under the policy, plus interest accrued during the delay or denial
- Compensatory damages for the financial hardship caused by the insurer's breach, including inability to pay medical bills or living expenses while awaiting coverage
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of peace of mind resulting from wrongful denial or unreasonable delay of your claim
- Punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was reckless or willful, designed to punish the insurer and deter similar misconduct
- Attorney fees and costs incurred to pursue the bad faith claim, recoverable under Colorado law when you prevail
These claims are brought in Arapahoe County Justice Center, where we present evidence of the insurer's bad faith to a judge or jury.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Greenwood Village — 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.
Greenwood Village Insurance bad faith FAQ
What exactly is insurance bad faith?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate a claim fairly and promptly, or denies or delays payment without a reasonable basis in the policy or investigation. Colorado law requires insurers to handle first-party claims—those you make on your own policy—in good faith. We look at what the insurer knew, when it knew it, and whether its decision to delay, deny, or underpay was reasonable given the facts and the policy language.
How long do I have to file a bad faith claim?
Insurance deadlines vary depending on the type of policy, the benefit you're claiming, and what the insurer did or failed to do. Some policies have specific timeframes for filing claims; others have limits on how long you can wait after a denial. Colorado law also sets limits on when you can sue. Do not wait. Preserve your policy, your complete claim file, and your timeline of communications with the insurer. Contact us now for a case-specific review of your deadlines.
Can I pursue bad faith for an underpaid or delayed claim if I already received some money?
Yes. Partial payment or unreasonable delay in full payment can constitute bad faith. For example, if your insurer reserves a lower amount than your claim justifies, or if it takes months to process a straightforward claim, those actions may support a bad faith claim. We analyze the policy, the insurer's investigation file, and the timeline to determine whether the delay or underpayment was reasonable.
What damages can I recover in a bad faith case?
You can recover the full amount owed under your policy, plus interest, court costs, and attorney fees. In some cases, Colorado law allows you to recover punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was willful or reckless. We build that case by showing the insurer knew of its obligations, had the information needed to pay, and acted unreasonably anyway. Every case is different; we evaluate damages during your initial consultation.
How much does it cost to hire McCormick & Murphy for a bad faith claim?
McCormick & Murphy handles injury and claim cases on contingency. You pay no attorney fee unless we settle the case or win it at trial. Advanced case costs—such as expert reports, discovery, and filing fees—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you in writing before we incur them. This approach lets you pursue your claim without upfront legal costs.
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