Catastrophic Injury Due to Negligence? We Can Help.
Experienced Denver Personal Injury Lawyers
Have you suffered a catastrophic injury in Denver due to negligence? Has the injury left you with a long-term disability, a mountain of medical bills, or emotional harm? Those circumstances are overwhelming enough without having to worry about filing a personal injury case and navigating the legal process. An experienced personal injury attorney is a valuable asset, and Arckey & Steele is a premier personal injury law firm in the Denver area, and we are here to help you get the compensation and damages that you deserve in your case. We will prioritize you and your case at every turn, and we won’t settle for a quick settlement that doesn’t benefit you and your family.
Many personal injury law firms are “settlement mills” that handle thousands of cases and prioritize quick settlements to benefit their bottom line. Arckey & Steele is not the same — and we take a boutique approach to your personal injury case and our legal team is dedicated to fighting for you in negotiations and the courtroom, to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve in your case. With more than 30 years of experience in the courtroom, we are ready to help you see a positive outcome in your personal injury case in Denver, CO.
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Navigating Catastrophic Injury Claims in Denver, CO
What is a catastrophic injury? A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that can result in long-term or permanent disability. Examples of a catastrophic injury include severe burns, amputation, multiple fractures, spinal cord injuries, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). When these injuries are caused by negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit and an experienced personal injury attorney in Denver, CO can help you receive compensation and damages for costly medical bills, lost wages, emotional pain and suffering, and more.
Arckey & Steele may prove to be the right fit in Denver. While other law firms are focused on quick settlements and quantity over quality, our law firm is dedicated to providing you with personalized legal support at every point of the process. We prioritize getting to know you, getting to know your case, and getting you all of the compensation that you deserve. When you have suffered a catastrophic injury due to negligence and you have to contend with insurance companies in the courtroom, who you choose to represent you matters, and we will get results in your case.
Representation for Catastrophic Injury Claims in Colorado
Causes of Denver Catastrophic Injury Claims We Handle
We provide personalized legal support for Denver-area residents who have suffered a catastrophic injury in Colorado.
Vehicle Accidents
Vehicle accidents cause an estimated 2.6 million injuries and more than 40,000 fatalities on U.S. roads each year. Arckey & Steele handle hundreds of personal injury cases each year and in incidents where victims have suffered a catastrophic injury, our legal team is ready and willing to handle your case with compassion, experience, and skill. We have the tools and knowledge to analyze data and evidence from your vehicle accident and help you see positive outcomes in your case.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slips and falls happen and they can happen for a lot of reasons. When those slips and falls are the result of negligence and lead to catastrophic injuries, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Falls from height and even short falls can lead to head and back injuries, TBI, broken bones, and more — and for Denver-area residents with health or age-related issues, these slips and falls can lead to long-term disability. A personal injury law firm, like Arckey & Steele, can help you navigate the legal process when you are involved in a slip and fall accident.
Defective Products
Defective machinery, bad parts, unsafe products, or unsafe medications can lead to long-term injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions. When a product you or someone you love uses is unsafe, there is risk of a catastrophic injury and an experienced personal injury attorney in Denver, CO can help you hold manufacturers and production companies accountable for defective products and help you receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other issues caused by your injury.
Critical Steps to Take After a Catastrophic Injury in Denver
What should you do when you suffer a catastrophic injury? When you have been involved in a vehicle accident, a slip and fall accident, or have been injured due to defective products, and you have suffered a catastrophic injury like Traumatic Brain Injury or a spinal cord injury, it is imperative that you take the proper legal steps to protect your future and receive the compensation you deserve.
Follow these steps after a catastrophic injury to win your personal injury case in Denver.
1Document Your Medical Care and Preserve Evidence
To protect yourself in any personal injury case, it is critical to document your medical care and preserve any evidence related to your case. When you have received an initial diagnosis following your injury, it is important to see a specialist, follow your medical treatment plan from start to finish, and ask medical professionals for future care estimates if it is a long-term injury and care plan. When your case involves an accident or faulty product that caused an injury, it is important that you record, document, and preserve any evidence related to your injury in the form of medical documents, physical evidence, digital evidence, and relevant statements.
2Work to Identify Responsible Parties
A key component of any personal injury case that involves a catastrophic or long-term injury is identifying the responsible parties. A catastrophic injury claim may exceed the limits of an insurance company, which may mean that plaintiffs need to consider third-party liability or holding employers responsible for severe injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine who is responsible in your catastrophic injury case.
3Avoid Early Settlements
In many cases — when you have suffered a catastrophic injury and another party is at fault, insurance companies may try to reach a fast settlement before you can file a legal case, and some personal injury attorneys will try to get you to take a quick settlement. Do not fall into that trap. Do not provide insurance companies with a statement or release and do not discount the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Arckey & Steele is a boutique personal injury attorney in Denver, CO and we will help ensure you receive maximum compensation in your catastrophic injury case.
4Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney
When you have been injured due to negligence — whether it is due to a car accident, a slip and fall, or a defective product — you can expect to be contacted by an insurance adjuster within 48 hours of the incident. When you are contacted by an insurance company, it is important to not provide them with a statement about your injury without the advice and support of a personal injury attorney. Arckey & Steele will help you navigate the legal process and achieve a positive outcome in your case.
Maximize Your Compensation
Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries in Denver
The compensation in a catastrophic injury case is based on economic damages, non-economic damages, and permanent physical impairment that are built on the evidence of your case. Financial compensation in a personal injury case is intended to help you return to the same physical and financial situation you were in prior to your accident. Arckey & Steele in Denver, CO has years of experience with personal injury law and we are here to represent you in your catastrophic injury case. We will help you navigate the legal process step by step with compassion and skill to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Economic DamagesHow much has your injury cost you financially? Economic damages in a catastrophic injury case include emergency room bills, medical bills, rehabilitation costs, property damages, and lost wages — and they add up when you have suffered a long-term injury. Lost earning capacity is an additional factor of economic damages that is included in compensation calculations when an injury leads to long-term complications.
Non-Economic DamagesWhat are non-economic damages? There is a human cost to any accident or catastrophic injury that is not easily calculated financially and these costs are counted as non-economic damages in a legal case. Non-economic damages can include long-term physical pain, a loss of enjoyment in life, or mental and emotional suffering. These damages are subjective, and in many cases, it is up to your attorney to show how a catastrophic injury has impacted your day-to-day life and recovery. Non-economic damages are capped by Colorado law (C.R.S. § 13-21-102.5).
Factors That Affect Claim ValueWhen compensation is calculated in a catastrophic injury case, there is a third element of damages that involves physical impairment and disfigurement. This element of compensation goes beyond the pain and suffering, non-economic damages highlighted above and is not subject to the same damage caps under Colorado law. This exception allows victims in catastrophic injury cases to receive additional compensation for serious physical impairment, disability, or disfigurement.
Schedule a Free Case Strategy Session
Ready to Get the Insurance Companies Off Your Back?
When you are involved in an accident or a slip and fall that causes a catastrophic injury, insurance companies and lawyers will attempt to dictate how much compensation you should receive. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you secure the damages you deserve and Arckey & Steele is the right choice in Denver.
How Long Do You Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Colorado?
There is a statute of limitations on catastrophic injury claims in Colorado that are dependent on multiple factors. When a catastrophic injury involves a vehicle accident, legal claims must be filed within three years from the date of the crash. When an injury involves a slip and fall, medical malpractice, product liability, and general negligence, the statute of limitations is two years. If your catastrophic injury involves a government entity, you must file a Notice of Claim within 182 days. Do not wait until the last moment to file your claim.
There are exceptions to statute of limitation laws when catastrophic injuries are involved. The Discovery Rule — where the full extent of an injury was not immediately apparent and discovered later — can delay the start of the statute of limitations window. Exceptions can be made in cases where a catastrophic injury involves Traumatic Brain Injury and mental incapacity that delays the deadline to file a case. Filing a catastrophic injury case can also be delayed due to the age of the victim, where the statute of limitations does not start until a victim turns 18.
Our Process
What to Expect When Starting a Catastrophic Injury Claim with Us
A catastrophic injury claim that involves severe injuries that can lead to long-term disability and health challenges can be more complicated than a standard personal injury case. Here is a general idea of the legal process when you file a catastrophic injury case in Denver, CO.
1Investigate and Collect Accident
The first part of the legal process in a catastrophic injury case is to collect and gather evidence for your case that includes relevant evidence from the scene, detailed medical documentation, and any potential witness statements. Your personal injury attorney can help you collect the evidence you need for your case.
2Demand Package and Negotiation
Before you file a formal case, your personal injury attorney will have the opportunity to send a formal Demand Letter to the insurance company of the negligent party in the case that includes a Life Care Plan, medical records, and evidence of lost earning capacity with the goal of settling the case without the need for a lawsuit.
3File a Lawsuit
If a settlement cannot be reached by the two parties, your personal injury attorney will file a formal complaint with the Colorado District Court. This triggers the start of the case’s timeline and the defendant will be sent a summons and have 21 days to respond.
4Mediation and Litigation
When a formal complaint has been filed with the court system, Colorado District Court requires mediation by a neutral third party to help reach an amicable resolution without a trail. If mediation fails, then the case will go to trial by jury to award damages.
Critical Selection Factors
Choosing a Denver Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
A catastrophic injury case adds tense, complicated legal process to severe injury with physical and emotional damage. It can be a challenge to navigate the legal process on your own, which makes it critical for you to find a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney that you can trust in Denver, CO. The Arckey & Steele legal team has years of experience in personal injury law and we provide our clients with compassionate and supportive legal service. We are a boutique law firm that will not seek the quick settlement to close your case fast — we will do everything we can to negotiate with insurance companies and argue your case in court to get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Arckey & Steele for Your Catastrophic Injury Case in Denver
Our goal is simple: do fewer cases, and do them exceptionally well.
Small caseloads, focused attention
We intentionally limit the number of cases so each client receives the time, focus, and resources their matter deserves.
Direct access to your attorney
When you contact our firm, you work directly with the lawyer handling your case.
Proven track record
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience and a track record of results in serious injury and litigation-focused cases.
Meet Our Team
Our Trusted Denver Catastrophic Injury Attorneys
When you hire Arckey & Steele, you will have an experienced team of personal injury attorneys on your side that are personally invested in your case and will work hand in hand with you every step of the way.
Founder & PartnerEric S. Steele
Tackles cases involving personal injury, business, and employment matters. Eric has significant experience securing meaningful recoveries for injured clients.
Brings over four decades of litigation experience and a strategic approach shaped by years of representing individuals and businesses, often in the courtroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catastrophic Injury Claims
In the Colorado court system, an injury that is considered catastrophic is defined as an injury that involves “permanent, life-altering damage” that has a significant impact on the day-to-day life and employment of the injured victim. Key examples of catastrophic injuries include severe burns, permanent loss of vision or hearing, spinal cord injuries with paralysis, and Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Yes some damages are capped. The Colorado court system has set damage caps in catastrophic injury cases that are based on the type of loss and compensation. There is no cap on economic damages due to the long-term medical costs and lost future wages tied to a catastrophic injury. Non-economic damages for pain and suffering are capped at $1,500,000 for cases filed in 2026. The compensation and damages for physical impairment and disfigurement are not capped.
The legal process for a catastrophic injury case can be long and complicated — taking 1-3 years. The primary reason that catastrophic injury cases take that long is due to the complex nature of the legal process that can include multiple testimonies from many medical professionals and victims in the case must reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) to receive accurate compensation.
Colorado has a “Modified Comparative Fault” law in place that ties compensation to the level of fault. If evidence shows that you are more than 50% at fault in your case, you are ineligible for compensation in a personal injury case. If the evidence shows that you are less than 50% at fault, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage you are at fault.
Resources
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Areas We Serve
Representing Catastrophic Injury Victims Across Colorado
No matter where you live in the Denver area — from the Denver city limits to Thornton — Arckey & Steele is here to help. We have offices in Denver and Broomfield with experienced personal injury attorneys ready to help you navigate legal proceedings.
Do you have questions about your case? Do you have questions about whether or not you have a case? Arckey & Steele takes the guesswork out of personal injury cases in Denver, CO. We are here to help you receive fair compensation for your injuries and hardship.
