Negligence Lawyer Denver CO
If you have been injured because of the negligent actions of another person, a Denver, Colorado negligence lawyer would like to listen to what happened during a free case review. At Richard J. Banta, P.C., we have many years of experience and understand how to navigate cases of all complexities. We will do our best to recover maximum damages on your behalf. To have your questions answered and concerns addressed, call us now.
Any negligence lawyer in Denver, CO worth his salt can tell you that the term “negligence” covers a wide variety of cases. If someone has a duty and fails to carry it out, he or she is considered negligent. Under Colorado laws, if the negligence of someone else has resulted in harm to you, you’re entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
Types of Negligence: The Basics
Negligence comes in many forms, and each type must be handled differently in a court of law. The most common kinds of negligence include:
-Gross Negligence: “Gross negligence” means the person was so careless that he or she displayed a total lack of concern for the safety of other people. For example, you might be able to allege that your healthcare facility was grossly negligent if you were in a hospital after having surgery and they didn’t change your bandages for days. No one actively meant to hurt you, but as a result of the gross negligence of the hospital staff, you got a serious infection.
-Comparative Negligence: “Comparative negligence” means that you have some sort of responsibility for your injuries, but another person has some blame as well, and might still have to pay a part of the damages. For example, say you’re in a car accident because someone drove through a red light and hit you, but you weren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time. If you successfully prove comparative negligence, depending on the law in your state, the court may enter a $10,000 verdict against the driver who ran the red light, but the court may then reduce your award by $3,000 because you didn’t wear the seatbelt.
-Contributory Negligence: “Contributory negligence” is the amount you were at fault for your own injuries, or how much you “contributed” to your own injuries. In Colorado, if a court decides that you were more responsible for your injuries than the other person involved, you may not be able to recover any money damages. In other states, even if you are only 1% at fault, you may not be able to recover any damages.
-Vicarious Liability: “Vicarious liability” means you’re holding someone else responsible for the actions of a person or animal that caused you harm. This is often used in cases with animal bites or attacks or if the person who injured you is a child. The pet owner or parent of the child may be vicariously liable to you for damages, even though he or she was not personally the one who injured you.
If you can prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries you may be entitled to the following:
- Recovery of medical expenses and bills
- Compensation for time missed at work and damaged property
- Damages for loss of limb, lower quality of life and physical impairment
- Other losses you suffered because of your injury
Proving negligence cases can be complex, and if you plan to file a personal injury claim based on any theory of negligence you will need the assistance of an experienced negligence lawyer in Denver, CO that you trust.
Examples of Negligent Behavior
There are many ways in which a person could be negligent and cause you harm. This person could be a doctor, therapist, contractor, employer, driver, store owner, or even a friend, or family member. What is always the case in these legal matters is that the person had a duty, failed to adhere to that duty, and caused you harm. Here is a short list of people or businesses that are in a position to harm you with their negligent acts:
- Medical doctor
- Medical facility
- Nurse
- Dentist
- OB/Gyn
- Therapist
- Pharmacist
- School or daycare center
- Contractor
- Engineer
- Transportation company
- Maintenance company
How do you know if your injury was caused by negligence? Some types of injuries have a higher probability of being caused or exacerbated by the negligence of others. Do not worry if you are not sure the exact cause of your injury. We often work with private investigators and expert witnesses who can offer us their opinions and insight in order to prove your injury was the result of negligence. In particular, if you have been treated for any of the following after an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should call a Denver, CO negligence lawyer:
- Traumatic head injury
- Brain injury
- Loss of eyesight or hearing
- Loss of limb
- Severe burns
- Severe scarring
- Broken bones
- Spine or neck injury
- Internal injury
- Paralysis
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured Due to Negligence
As with any personal injury claim, make sure to document your negligence case as much as possible. Keep any paperwork and evidence you have related to the event, and keep copies of all medical bills and any losses you suffered. Make sure you have the names and contact information of any people who witnessed what happened to you.
Don’t talk to people about your case other than trusted friends and family, and make sure they understand it’s important to keep the details to themselves. Avoid talking about the case on social media because posts there can and have been used as evidence in court. Refer any questions from the other party’s legal team or insurance company to your Denver, Colorado negligence lawyer, and never sign any papers you don’t completely understand.
5 Reasons You Talk with a Negligence Lawyer Denver, CO Trusts for Legal Advice
When you suffer an injury due to negligence, you should want someone on your side who will fight for your rights and help you to receive compensation. While you may feel you can handle a negligence claim on your own, there are a lot of reasons you might want to consider hiring a negligence lawyer Denver, CO has to offer instead. The following are five of these reasons.
- Contingency Fees
Not every lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, but many, especially personal injury and negligence lawyers in Denver, CO, do. What this means is you only have to pay the attorney if and when you win the case. The contingency fee typically comes right out of the settlement, so you’re not necessarily paying out of pocket. If the case is lost, you don’t owe the negligence lawyer Denver, CO provides anything.
- Connections
Many Denver negligence lawyers have connections to other professionals. If your case involves a little sleuthing, the firm may call upon a private investigator they commonly work with. Using these connections with other professionals, your case could have the potential to be built more solidly.
- Experience
The law can be complicated. Trying to figure out your case on your own could give you a headache if you don’t have any experience with it. A negligence lawyer Denver, CO men and women can count on will have experience with the law in general, as well as with your specific type of case. They may understand insurance issues more thoroughly, hould know which avenues to pursue, and that will be the most beneficial to your case.
Negligence lawyers might also be required to handle matters within your case that are related with other areas of the law. For example, your case might include criminal law, family law, financial law, or a variety of other aspects. A negligence lawyer in Denver, Colorado should have the experience to work with those attorneys during the ordeal – if need be.
- Higher Payout
Of course you’ll be paying that contingency fee if you win your case, but settlements that are litigated through attorneys often end in a higher payout. That’s not always the case, but it again goes back to the lawyer’s experience in getting bigger settlements.
- Time Saved
Lawyers request medical records, review charts and communicate with insurance adjusters during their nine to five jobs. You may not have the convenience of doing that, so handing it over to a negligence lawyer Denver, CO offers could be a huge time saver.
If you were injured and think you have a case, or even if you’re unsure whether or not there’s a case, contact a negligence lawyer. There are multiple benefits of having a legal advocate on your side, and you’ll be glad you had the assistance of a professional.
We Can Help
Richard J. Banta, P.C., is here to help you recover, financially. Although we understand that you may never be the same after an accident, financial recovery can promote physical and mental recovery as well.
We will examine your case from the short-term and long-term angles so you get what you need to help you now and down the line. Your recovery is important to us, so we will handle the other party’s legal team, insurer, and the red tape so you can focus on getting better without any extra stress. Throughout your case, we will be available to answer your questions and handle your concerns, and you will always be kept up-to-date as your claim moves forward.
By choosing us to be your legal advocate, you can feel confident in knowing we will take care of the complicated matters while you put your energy and focus on your recovery. We will:
- Review and investigate the details of what happened
- Contact witnesses and obtain statements
- Help you know what to expect if you are required to give a statement or deposition
- Identify the negligent party(s)
- Explore all legal options, including trial and settlement
- Help you determine to what kind and amount of damages you may be entitled
- Offer you honest guidance and support
Why Choose Us?
- We have a reputation for excellence
- We are committed to our clients
- We do our best to achieve a satisfactory outcome in every case
- We love what we do
Don’t Wait
In most cases, the time limit for filing a Colorado negligence claim is only two years, so waiting too long may rob you of the compensation to which you are entitled. Speak to a competent, professional, Denver, CO negligence lawyer, Richard J. Banta, today by calling 303-331-3145, and get yourself started on the path to recovery.