Results

We have won three big cases in recent years, one of which is recognized as an important new case clarifying a disputed area of Colorado law in favor of the injured person.

In the summer of 2017, nine Colorado jurors in the United States District Court in Colorado found negligence and punitive damages against AZ Asphalt, LLC, and its employee driver, and determined damages totaling $568,810.00 against AZ Asphalt et al in the wrongful death of Gunnison cyclist Dale Thomas. This verdict became a final judgment on August 2, 2017, includes non-economic, economic, and punitive damages against AZ Asphalt et al in favor of plaintiff Ellen Petrick, Thomas’s widow, represented by attorney Brian Weiss of Bike Law Colorado. This verdict for Ellen Petrick proved once and for all that the Defendants caused the death of Dale Thomas and justice was delivered for Dale’s family.

This great result for the family of Dale Thomas was even sweeter because the Asphalt Company’s Insurer only offered $50,000. We rejected that offer and explained our case to the jury in Colorado, Colorado. The Colorado Jury agreed with Ellen Petrick and her family by issuing a verdict of $568,810.00 which was more than Eleven Times (11x) what was offered by the Insurance Company.

Reid vs. Berkowitz, Colorado District Court. Our client was a construction worker injured on a job site (but not while he was working) when he fell through a temporary guardrail that the general contractor admitted he knew was not properly secured to a third-floor landing even before our client’s accident. Our client fell to the ground below and suffered a ruptured aorta, an injury that kills 85% of the people who sustain such ruptures. After the Defendant’s insurance company (American Family) offered to settle for an amount actually LESS than our client’s medical bills, we took the case to trial and secured a judgment in excess of $400,000.00. It is interesting to note that American Family continued to assert that our client was a trespasser on the property when it is own insured, Defendant, clearly maintained in sworn testimony that he was not trespassing.

Please download a copy of our Colorado Auto Accident Guidebook to find out other questionable strategies that any insurance company (including American Family, State Farm, Farmers, Progressive, GEICO, and USAA) may use to deny liability in your case.

Harmon vs. New, Colorado District Court. In this case, our client was rear-ended at low speed by a woman who claimed a “sudden-emergency” defense after a vehicle in front of her changed lanes. Defendant’s insurance company, State Farm, also denied that the accident caused our client’s injuries and her need for subsequent shoulder surgery. Despite a clear rear-end accident and over $120,000.00 in accident-related medical treatment, State Farm tried to argue that the accident was our client’s fault and only offered $15,000.00. At trial, we were able to discredit State Farm’s expert witness and show the jury that the accident was caused by Defendant’s failure to exercise reasonable care. Further, the jury agreed with our client, and her treating doctors, that all medical care was a direct result of this accident. They awarded our client over $200,000.00 including interest and costs.

Please download a copy of our Colorado Auto Accident Guidebook (PDF) for a more detailed explanation of why you must have an experienced, trial-proven personal injury lawyer in your corner in a low-impact auto accident case.