El Paso County · Insurance bad faith
Colorado Springs Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
Colorado Springs insurance bad faith lawyers for delayed, denied, or underpaid claims. Free consultation. No fee unless we recover for you.
How Insurance Bad Faith Works
McCormick & Murphy are Colorado Springs insurance bad faith lawyers when an insurer delays, denies, or underpays a valid claim. We review the policy and the claim file, the records from UCHealth Memorial or Penrose, and we file in El Paso County District Court when the insurer will not pay a fair number.
An insurer must handle your first-party claim—whether for uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist protection, or other benefits—fairly and without unreasonable delay. Many of these disputes follow a Colorado Springs car accident. Colorado law requires them to investigate promptly, communicate clearly about coverage, and pay valid claims. When they don't, that breach can itself become a claim.
We review the policy language, the claim file, all correspondence, and the timeline of the insurer's handling. If we find they denied or delayed payment without a reasonable basis, ignored medical evidence, failed to investigate properly, or reserved the claim indefinitely while you waited, we build a bad-faith case.
What We Investigate
Our team requests the complete claim file through discovery: the original policy, your signed claim forms, the insurer's written investigation notes, recorded statements they took, any medical or wage records you submitted, coverage determination letters, internal evaluations and reserve decisions, and the full payment history. We also obtain records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central, CommonSpirit Penrose Hospital, or other treatment providers to verify the injury, care, and costs.
We examine the insurer's stated reasons for any delay or denial against the facts. Did they request documents you never received notice of? Did they ignore medical evidence? Did they change the reason for denial midway? Did they hold the file open for months without action? The communications and timeline often reveal whether conduct was reasonable or reckless.
Local investigations may involve Colorado Springs Police Department or Colorado State Patrol, policies covering Colorado Springs residents and disputes that may proceed in El Paso County District Court.
To establish that an insurer acted in bad faith when handling your claim, we gather and analyze:
- The actual insurance policy and all endorsements or amendments
- Your complete claim file, including the date you filed and all correspondence with the insurer
- The insurer's written explanation for any delay, denial, or underpayment of benefits
- Internal insurer documents: claim notes, coverage evaluations, reserve amounts, and adjuster communications
- Recorded statements you gave to the insurer or its investigators
- Medical records, wage loss documentation, and other evidence you submitted with the claim
- Coverage letters or denial letters with stated reasons
- Payment records and dates showing when benefits were or were not paid
- The complete timeline of your interactions with the insurer—phone calls, emails, letters, and in-person meetings
- Evidence of whether the insurer failed to investigate fairly or ignored material facts
- Documentation of damages you suffered due to the delay or denial (financial hardship, additional medical costs, lost wages)
If you were in an accident on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, I-25, or other roads in Colorado Springs, and your uninsured or underinsured motorist claim was delayed or denied, this checklist helps us determine whether the insurer's conduct was unreasonable under Colorado law.
Injury Documentation and Damages
Accidents on Powers Boulevard, Academy Boulevard, Woodmen Road, I-25, and other Colorado Springs streets often result in injuries requiring emergency care at Penrose Hospital or Memorial Hospital Central. Medical records, imaging, surgical reports, and follow-up treatment establish the extent of harm—and the legitimacy of your claim.
An insurer's bad-faith handling can worsen your situation. You may face unpaid medical bills, lost wages during the claims dispute, emotional distress, and the cost of hiring counsel to fight them. We document every effect of their misconduct.
Official Colorado Springs hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages in Bad-Faith Cases
- The full amount of the benefits the insurer wrongly denied or underpaid
- Interest on delayed payments from the date the claim should have been paid
- Medical and other expenses you incurred because the claim was not handled fairly
- Lost wages or income caused by the dispute and stress
- Mental anguish and emotional distress from the insurer's conduct
- Punitive damages if the insurer acted with reckless disregard
El Paso County District Court recognizes bad-faith liability and awards compensatory and, in appropriate cases, punitive damages to deter future misconduct.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Colorado Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Colorado Springs Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers FAQ
Do I need Colorado Springs insurance bad faith lawyers?
Call Colorado Springs insurance bad faith lawyers when an insurer delays, denies, or offers less than the medical bills. We meet you at 929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
What makes an insurance company's behavior 'bad faith' in Colorado Springs?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to treat your claim fairly and reasonably. Under Colorado law, an insurer must investigate promptly, evaluate your claim based on the policy terms and the facts, and either pay valid benefits or give you a clear, truthful explanation for denial. Bad faith can include delaying a decision without good reason, ignoring evidence you provided, misinterpreting the policy in their favor, or denying a claim they should have paid. We examine the insurer's internal files, notes, and timeline to show whether their handling fell below the standard of good faith and fair dealing.
How long do I have to file a bad faith lawsuit against my insurer after a claim is denied?
The deadline depends on the type of claim and the policy language, but Colorado generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date you discover or should have discovered the bad faith conduct. However, you must act quickly to preserve evidence, and some insurance policies or claims have shorter notice or filing deadlines. If you were injured in an accident in the Briargate, Old Colorado City, or Broadmoor area and your insurer has delayed or denied benefits, do not wait. Contact us right away so we can review your specific policy and claim timeline and protect your rights.
Do I need to hire a lawyer to pursue a bad faith claim, or can I handle it on my own?
You can attempt to negotiate with your insurer on your own, but bad faith claims are complex. They require analyzing policy language, obtaining and reviewing internal insurer documents through litigation discovery, proving the insurer's unreasonable conduct, and calculating damages. Insurers have skilled claims handlers and legal teams. Working with an experienced bad faith attorney significantly improves your chance of success. McCormick & Murphy handles bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis—we earn a fee only if we settle your case or win in court. You pay no attorney fee upfront, and advanced case costs are separate from any fee we earn.
What kind of damages can I recover in a bad faith insurance claim?
In Colorado, damages in a bad faith claim can include the benefits the insurer wrongfully withheld or underpaid, the interest that should have been paid on those benefits, emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the denial, and in some cases, punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was particularly reckless or malicious. We must prove not only that the insurer acted in bad faith but also the full extent of harm you suffered as a result. This includes financial losses—unpaid medical bills, lost wages, increased borrowing costs—and non-economic harm. Each case is unique, and we evaluate damages based on your specific circumstances and the nature of the claim.
What should I do right now if my insurance claim was denied or delayed?
First, keep all documents related to your claim: the policy, denial letters, medical records, wage statements, and every communication with the insurer. Second, do not assume the denial is final or correct—request a detailed written explanation of why the claim was denied. Third, do not wait for the insurer to reconsider. Contact McCormick & Murphy in Colorado Springs as soon as possible. We can review your policy and claim file free of charge, explain whether bad faith may have occurred, and advise you on next steps. If you were hit on I-25 or another road in El Paso County and your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage was denied, call us. Time and evidence preservation matter in these claims.
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Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Colorado Springs office
929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
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