Pueblo County · Insurance bad faith
Pueblo Insurance Bad Faith Lawyers
In Pueblo, we hold insurers accountable when they deny, delay, or underpay claims you are entitled to.
How Bad Faith Claims Work
Bad faith happens when an insurer fails to evaluate your claim promptly and reasonably. This can mean denying a claim without proper investigation, delaying payment without justification, or offering significantly less than the policy covers. Colorado law requires insurers to act in good faith and deal fairly with policyholders. When they do not, you may have a claim against the insurance company itself—separate from the underlying injury or loss.
We represent Pueblo County residents who have been harmed by insurance bad faith. Whether your claim involves a motor-vehicle injury, uninsured motorist benefits, or another covered loss, we examine the insurer's handling to identify whether bad faith occurred. Our job is to gather evidence of the insurer's unreasonable conduct and pursue damages on your behalf in Pueblo County District Court.
What We Investigate
Bad faith claims turn on the insurer's own records and decisions. We obtain the policy language and review the claim file to understand what coverage applies and whether you submitted a proper claim. We then examine the insurer's communications, internal evaluations, coverage decisions, and payment records. If the insurer gave a reason for delay or denial, we assess whether that reason was reasonable under the facts and the policy terms.
We also obtain recorded statements, medical reports, wage loss documentation, and any other evidence the insurer considered—or failed to consider. We reconstruct the complete timeline of your claim to show unreasonable delay or a decision without adequate investigation. This documentary evidence forms the foundation of the bad faith case and is critical in proving damages to a jury in Pueblo County District Court.
Local investigations may involve Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, or Colorado State Patrol, policies covering Pueblo residents and disputes that may proceed in Pueblo County District Court.
To build a strong bad faith case, gather and preserve:
- Original insurance policy and all endorsements or amendments
- Proof you submitted a complete, valid claim (dates and method)
- All written correspondence with your insurer (letters, emails, claim status updates)
- Recorded statements or notes from calls with the insurance company
- Medical records, bills, and wage loss documentation you submitted to support the claim
- Coverage letters, denial letters, or delay notices from the insurer
- Payment records showing what was paid, when, and for what benefit
- Internal insurer documents (reserves, evaluations, investigation notes) obtained during litigation discovery
- Timeline showing when you filed, when the insurer responded, and how long benefits were delayed
- Any explanation the insurer gave for denying or underpaying the claim
- Proof of damages you suffered due to the delay or denial (unpaid medical bills, lost wages, credit impact)
Preserve all originals and provide copies to McCormick & Murphy for analysis.
Medical Records and Damages Evidence
Medical records are central to bad faith cases. They show the injury you sustained, the treatment you received, and the cost of care. We obtain records from CommonSpirit Parkview Medical Center and other Pueblo providers to document your condition. These records also help us prove that the insurer's denial or underpayment was unreasonable—for example, if the insurer denied a claim for medical treatment that was clearly necessary and covered.
Damages in bad faith include the unpaid or underpaid benefit itself, as well as emotional distress, economic harm from the delay, and in some cases, punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was particularly reckless. We work with economists and mental-health professionals to quantify these harms and present them clearly to a jury or judge.
Official Pueblo hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Examples of Damages in Bad Faith Cases
- The unpaid or underpaid benefit owed under your policy
- Interest on the unpaid amount from the date you should have been paid
- Emotional distress and mental anguish caused by the denial or delay
- Economic losses—including costs of uncovered treatment, lost income, or other financial harm—caused by the insurer's unreasonable conduct
- Attorney fees and costs if Colorado law permits recovery
- Punitive damages if the insurer's conduct was willful or reckless
We pursue these damages through negotiation and, if necessary, litigation in Pueblo County District Court.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Pueblo — 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.
Pueblo Insurance bad faith FAQ
What counts as bad faith in an insurance claim in Pueblo County?
Bad faith can occur when an insurer fails to evaluate your claim fairly and promptly. Common examples include ignoring your claim entirely, delaying payment without reasonable investigation, denying a claim without reviewing the policy or evidence you provided, or underpaying a covered benefit without explanation. An insurer is required by Colorado law to act in good faith when handling a first-party claim for benefits you purchased. We examine the insurer's investigation, the communications they sent you, their internal reserves and evaluations, and how long they took to respond.
How long do I have to file a bad faith claim against my insurer?
Insurance claim deadlines depend on your specific policy language, the type of benefit you requested, the insurer's conduct, and the legal claims available to you in Colorado. Some policies include short filing windows; others run longer. The statute of limitations for a bad faith lawsuit may differ from the deadline to file a claim. Because timing is critical, you should preserve your complete claim file and timeline immediately and contact McCormick & Murphy to review your situation. Waiting too long can affect your legal options.
What should I do if my insurer keeps delaying a decision on my claim?
Document everything. Write down the date you filed, each phone call with the insurer, the name of any representative you spoke with, what they said, and any deadlines they gave you. Save all emails, letters, and claim status notices. Do not ignore requests for information—respond promptly and keep copies of what you submit. If delays continue beyond what the policy allows or what is reasonable for investigation, contact McCormick & Murphy. The longer the delay without explanation, the stronger a bad faith case can become, but you must preserve the full timeline.
Can I recover money if my insurer underpaid my claim?
Yes. If your insurer underpaid a covered benefit without reasonable justification, that can be bad faith. You may recover the underpaid amount plus damages for losses caused by the underpayment—such as unpaid medical bills, credit damage, or other financial harm. We analyze the policy language, what you were entitled to receive, what the insurer actually paid, and their explanation for the shortfall. If the underpayment was unreasonable or unjustified, we can pursue a bad faith claim.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for bad faith cases?
McCormick & Murphy handles bad faith claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You do not pay an hourly rate. Advanced case costs—such as court filing fees, expert fees, and record requests—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you before they are incurred. This structure aligns our interests with yours: we only profit if we recover money for you.
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