Boulder County · Insurance bad faith
Louisville Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Louisville insurer denied your coverage? We hold them accountable for bad faith—free consultation.
What Makes an Insurance Claim "Bad Faith"
Bad faith can occur when your insurance company fails to treat your claim as fairly as it would treat its own interests. This might mean ignoring evidence you submitted, refusing to explain a denial, sitting on your claim without investigation, or simply paying you less than the policy allows. The insurer must evaluate your claim promptly and in good faith—that is the law.
We focus on first-party claims: yours against your own insurer, rather than a lawsuit against a third party. Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claims are common bad faith scenarios. Whether your claim involves property damage, injury benefits, or coverage dispute, we trace the insurer's handling, communications, and decision-making to show whether bad faith occurred.
How We Build Your Bad Faith Case
Discovery in bad faith litigation opens the insurer's file. We obtain the policy language, your claim file, all correspondence, recorded statements, medical and wage records you submitted, internal coverage evaluations, reserve and payment records, and the complete handling timeline. This documentary evidence shows what the insurer knew, when it knew it, and how it responded.
We analyze whether the insurer had a reasonable basis for its actions. Did it investigate thoroughly? Did it explain its decision? How long did it wait, and was the delay reasonable? We review internal emails, adjuster notes, and management decisions to show whether the company acted in bad faith or simply made a legitimate coverage decision. The distinction matters in court.
Local investigations may involve Louisville Police Department, policies covering Louisville residents and disputes that may proceed in Boulder County Justice Center.
To build a bad faith case, gather and preserve:
- Original insurance policy and all amendments or endorsements
- Initial claim submission and proof of claim receipt
- Complete correspondence with the insurer (letters, emails, phone logs)
- Recorded statements you gave to the insurer
- Medical records and bills submitted to support the claim
- Wage loss statements and employment records
- Coverage determination letters and denial letters from the insurer
- Internal insurer documents (claim file notes, reserves, evaluations) obtained through discovery
- Payment history and explanation of any partial payments
- Timeline of all contacts with Louisville Police Department or AdventHealth Avista if applicable to the incident
- Written explanation from the insurer of the reason for delay or denial
- Any communications with the insurer's adjuster or claims manager
- Dates and names of all persons handling your claim at the insurer
- Documentation of your own investigation into coverage
Preserve all original documents. Do not alter or discard anything. Hand copies to your attorney as soon as possible.
Medical Records and Expert Evaluation
In injury-related bad faith claims—such as those involving UM/UIM coverage—medical records prove the extent and cost of your treatment. We obtain your records from AdventHealth Avista and other providers, along with bills, wage loss documentation, and any independent medical evaluations your claim required. These records support both the validity of your underlying claim and the insurer's obligation to pay.
Medical experts may review the insurer's handling of your injury claim, especially if the company rejected treatment recommendations or denied payment for reasonable care. Their opinions help show that the insurer acted unreasonably in denying or limiting your benefits.
Official Louisville hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages in Bad Faith Cases
- The benefit you should have been paid under the policy
- Interest on the unpaid benefit, from the date payment was due
- Reasonable costs of bringing the bad faith claim, including attorney fees (in many cases)
- Emotional distress and harm to reputation caused by the unfair denial or delay
- Punitive damages, if the insurer's conduct was particularly reckless or willful
These damages are pursued in court at the Boulder County Justice Center and, if necessary, on appeal.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Louisville — 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.
Louisville Insurance bad faith FAQ
What makes an insurance company's delay or denial 'bad faith'?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate your claim fairly, delays payment without reasonable cause, or denies a covered benefit without proper investigation. Colorado law requires insurers to handle first-party claims—like uninsured motorist coverage—promptly and in good faith. If the insurer ignored policy language, skipped steps in investigation, or refused to pay a benefit you were due, that conduct may constitute bad faith.
What is the deadline to file a bad faith claim in Colorado?
The deadline depends on your policy, the type of benefit, and when the insurer's unreasonable conduct occurred. Colorado law generally allows a reasonable time to file, but delays matter. If your claim was denied or underpaid, do not wait. Contact an attorney to review the complete claim timeline, the policy, and the insurer's stated reason for denial or delay. Timing varies by case, so get a case-specific deadline analysis now.
Can I recover money for the delay and bad faith itself, or only the unpaid benefit?
You may recover the unpaid or underpaid benefit itself, plus damages for the insurer's bad faith conduct. Damages can include interest on the unpaid amount, attorney fees, court costs, and in some cases, additional compensation for the harm caused by the unreasonable delay or denial. Your actual recovery depends on the policy amount, the insurer's conduct, and what a judge or jury finds.
Do I have to sue in Boulder County Justice Center, or can we try to settle first?
Most insurance bad faith cases are filed in Boulder County Justice Center, where the claim arose. Many cases settle before trial through negotiation or mediation. Your attorney will evaluate your evidence, the policy language, and the insurer's conduct to determine the strength of your claim and the best path forward. Settlement talks can happen at any stage.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for insurance bad faith cases?
The firm handles bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if the case is settled or won. You do not pay an hourly rate. Costs for investigation, court filings, expert reports, and discovery are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you upfront.
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