Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Who Build the Proof for a Lifetime of Care
A catastrophic injury does not end when you leave the hospital. It begins a second life -- one defined by surgeries, therapy, lost income, and permanent disability. CGH Injury Lawyers serves Colorado Springs families from our Denver office, building the forensic Life Care Plans and expert networks that translate your lifetime of need into a dollar amount no insurance adjuster can dismiss.
- Economic damages in Colorado are never capped -- future medical, lost wages, and home-care costs are fully recoverable
- Physical impairment and disfigurement awards are not subject to any cap under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5)
- Free consultation, no fee unless we win
Serving Colorado Springs From
CGH Injury Lawyers
2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201
Denver, CO 80205
Available 24/7 for Emergencies
What Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Victims Need to Know Right Now
- Physical impairment and disfigurement awards carry no cap at all under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5) -- the statute expressly excludes them from any limit.
- Non-economic damages (pain and suffering) are capped at $1,500,000 for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025 under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(3)(a)(II).
- The collateral source rule means your health insurance payouts cannot be used to reduce what the defendant owes you.
- Government defendants require a 182-day written notice under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1) -- missing this deadline is jurisdictional and typically bars your claim forever.
Who Qualifies for a Catastrophic Injury Case in Colorado Springs?
Not every serious injury rises to the level Colorado courts and insurance companies treat as catastrophic. The legal threshold is defined by the nature and permanence of the harm, not by how much pain you are in today. CGH Injury Lawyers pursues catastrophic claims on behalf of people whose injuries fall into these categories:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Any acquired brain injury that results in permanent cognitive, behavioral, or physical deficits -- including moderate-to-severe TBI diagnosed under established neurological criteria.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
Complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries resulting in paraplegia, tetraplegia, or any permanent loss of motor or sensory function below the level of injury.
Severe Burns
Second- and third-degree burns requiring skin grafting, reconstructive surgery, or resulting in permanent disfigurement -- particularly those affecting the face, hands, or respiratory tract.
Traumatic Amputation
Loss of a limb or partial limb at the scene of the accident or through later surgical amputation caused by the severity of the injury.
Permanent Vision or Hearing Loss
Traumatic loss of sight or hearing, whether partial or complete, that permanently alters a person's ability to work and function in daily life.
Severe Orthopedic and Internal Injuries
Crush injuries, multi-system organ damage, or orthopedic injuries requiring multiple surgeries with permanent hardware, bone grafts, or lasting functional impairment rated under the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
If your injury has permanently changed what you can do at work, at home, or in life -- you likely have a catastrophic injury case. Call (303) 209-9395 for a free consultation and let us evaluate your situation with no obligation.
Colorado Catastrophic Injury Law, Decoded for Colorado Springs Victims
Colorado's damage framework for catastrophic injury cases is more nuanced than most victims realize -- and the differences are worth thousands, sometimes millions, of dollars. Here is what the statutes actually say, sourced from the CGH statute ledger.
Economic Damages: Never Capped
Colorado places no ceiling on economic damages. Future medical expenses, in-home care costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and assistive-technology expenses are fully recoverable regardless of the dollar amount. A Life Care Plan -- a forensic economic document built by a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP or CNLCP) over 60 to 90 days -- translates your lifetime of medical need into a documented, admissible figure that survives the Shreck and Daubert admissibility standards applied in Colorado courts.
Physical Impairment and Disfigurement: No Cap, Full Stop
Under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5), the statute that governs non-economic damage caps expressly states: "Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the recovery of compensatory damages for physical impairment or disfigurement." This is not a higher cap. It is no cap. A victim with a spinal cord injury or severe burn who receives a significant impairment rating under the AMA Guides is entitled to full compensation for that permanent condition -- the non-economic limit does not apply.
Non-Economic Damages: $1,500,000 Cap (Claims Accruing on or After January 1, 2025)
For claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(3)(a)(II) sets the non-economic damage cap at $1,500,000. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life. This is a flat cap with no doubling mechanism for this tier. For claims accruing before January 1, 2025, earlier cap amounts apply -- CGH will identify the correct tier for your case during your consultation.
Modified Comparative Negligence: Your Fault Percentage Matters
Colorado follows modified comparative negligence under C.R.S. 13-21-111. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, you recover nothing. If your share of fault is less than 50%, your total recovery is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and awards $2,000,000, you collect $1,600,000. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate the plaintiff's fault percentage in catastrophic cases -- building a forensic accident reconstruction record from day one is critical.
Collateral Source Rule: Your Insurance Does Not Let the Defendant Off the Hook
The collateral source rule prevents a defendant from reducing the compensation they owe because you happened to have health insurance or other benefits that covered some of your expenses. The defendant pays the full measure of your damages regardless of any third-party payments you received. This is a significant protection for catastrophic injury victims who are already managing insurance, workers' compensation, and disability claims simultaneously.
Colorado Governmental Immunity Act: The 182-Day Deadline
If your catastrophic injury involved a government vehicle, a dangerous public road condition, or a government employee -- including Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintenance failures on I-25 or US Highway 24 -- the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA) applies. Under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), you must file a written notice of claim with the responsible government entity within 182 days of discovering the injury. This is a jurisdictional prerequisite. Missing it typically bars your claim permanently, regardless of how strong your case is on the merits. If a government entity is potentially at fault, call us immediately -- the 182-day clock may already be running.
Colorado Springs: The Courts, Hospitals, and Roads That Shape Catastrophic Injury Cases Here
Catastrophic injury litigation in Colorado Springs has local texture that affects strategy, timing, and recovery. Here is what matters for your case.
El Paso County District Court
Major catastrophic injury lawsuits against private defendants in Colorado Springs are filed in El Paso County District Court, located at 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. El Paso County has one of the largest court dockets in Colorado. Knowing the local procedural pace and judicial expectations shapes how we build and pace your case from the date of filing through trial.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central -- Level I Trauma Center
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central at 1400 E. Boulder Street is the Level I trauma center serving Colorado Springs and the southern Front Range. Catastrophic injury victims brought to a Level I center have survived the most severe mechanism of injury -- and their medical records from this facility become the foundation of the Life Care Plan CGH builds for their case.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital North -- Level III Trauma Center
UCHealth Memorial Hospital North at 4050 Briargate Parkway serves the north Colorado Springs corridor as a Level III trauma center. Victims stabilized here before transfer to the Level I facility may have records split across both campuses -- a documentation challenge our team is experienced in consolidating for litigation.
I-25: The Spine of Colorado Springs Catastrophic Crashes
Interstate 25 runs through the heart of Colorado Springs and is the site of a disproportionate share of the region's high-severity traffic crashes. The interchange sections near Woodmen Road, Academy Boulevard, and Cimarron Street see recurring rear-end and multi-vehicle chain crashes. Catastrophic truck accident, motor vehicle accident, and rideshare injury cases regularly originate on this corridor.
Powers Boulevard (CO-21): High-Volume, High-Risk
Powers Boulevard (State Highway 21) is a multi-lane arterial running north-south through the eastern half of Colorado Springs. Its combination of high traffic volumes, commercial truck traffic, and multiple uncontrolled and signalized intersections produces a pattern of serious T-bone and pedestrian-involved crashes, including catastrophic injury events.
US Highway 24 and Academy Boulevard
US Highway 24 (Cimarron Street / Manitou Avenue corridor) and Academy Boulevard are two more arterials with documented crash histories. US-24 is a designated federal highway with segments maintained by CDOT -- meaning government immunity analysis is required any time road design or maintenance failures contribute to a crash on these corridors.
Why Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Victims Choose CGH Injury Lawyers
We Build the Life Care Plan First
Most law firms hire a life care planner after filing suit. We engage a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP or CNLCP) in the first 60 to 90 days after engagement -- before the insurance company sets reserves. That timeline advantage shapes the entire trajectory of your case.
ABOTA Trial Experience
Kevin Cheney is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has taken more than 25 cases to jury verdict. Insurance companies know when they are facing a firm that will try the case.
Best Lawyers in America Recognition
Timothy G. Tarr has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America since 2023. This peer-rated designation reflects the quality of representation our clients receive in complex catastrophic cases.
Founded in Colorado, Focused on Colorado
CGH Injury Lawyers (formerly Cheney Galluzzi and Howard) was founded in 2016 in Denver. We have litigated catastrophic injury cases across the Front Range, including cases arising from Colorado Springs roads, courts, and trauma centers, from day one.
We Decline Cases We Cannot Stand Behind
We accept a limited number of catastrophic injury cases each year so that every client receives the partner-level attention their case demands. If we do not believe we can materially improve your outcome, we will tell you directly and refer you to someone who can help. That is a promise, not a marketing line.
No Fee Unless We Win
You owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a contingency percentage of your recovery -- no upfront costs, no hourly billing.
What to Do After a Catastrophic Injury in Colorado Springs
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Get the Medical Care the Injury Demands
If you are at UCHealth Memorial Central or Memorial North -- or any other facility -- follow every treatment recommendation. Gaps in treatment are used by defense attorneys to argue your injuries are not as serious as claimed. Consistency in medical care is also essential for building an accurate Life Care Plan.
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Call CGH Injury Lawyers Immediately
Call (303) 209-9395 from any location in Colorado Springs. If a government entity (CDOT, City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County) may be at fault, the 182-day CGIA notice deadline under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1) begins on the date you discover the injury. Every day matters.
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Preserve Everything
Preserve dashcam footage, photographs of the scene and your injuries, medical records, accident reports, witness contact information, and any communications with insurance companies. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney.
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CGH Builds Your Case
We retain a Certified Life Care Planner, engage accident reconstruction and medical experts as needed, and begin documenting the full scope of your economic and non-economic damages -- including physical impairment under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5) -- before the insurance company finishes its investigation.
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Negotiate from a Position of Documented Strength
Armed with a defensible Life Care Plan and a trial-ready record, we negotiate for maximum recovery. If the insurer does not offer full value, we file suit in El Paso County District Court and try the case.
What Compensation Can Colorado Springs Victims Recover After a Catastrophic Injury?
Colorado law divides recoverable damages into distinct categories. Understanding each one -- and which ones carry caps -- is essential to evaluating your claim accurately.
Future Medical Expenses
Not capped. The Life Care Plan documents every anticipated surgery, hospitalization, therapy, assistive device, and home-care need over your lifetime. This figure is fully recoverable.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
Not capped. If your injury prevents you from returning to your pre-injury occupation or earning at your pre-injury level, the full present value of that lost earning capacity is recoverable -- including projected raises, promotions, and career trajectory.
In-Home and Long-Term Care Costs
Not capped. Attendant care, home modification, transportation assistance, and custodial care costs over your lifetime are economic damages and carry no ceiling under Colorado law.
Physical Impairment and Disfigurement
No cap at all. C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5) expressly excludes physical impairment and disfigurement from the non-economic cap. A jury may award whatever it finds appropriate for permanent impairment -- rated under the AMA Guides -- and permanent disfigurement without any statutory ceiling.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress
Capped at $1,500,000 for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(3)(a)(II). This cap applies to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Collateral Source Offset: None
The defendant cannot reduce what they owe you because you received health insurance payments, workers' compensation, or other benefits. The collateral source rule protects the full measure of your recovery.
If a government entity is at fault, additional caps apply under C.R.S. 24-10-114(1)(b): $505,000 per person and $1,421,000 per occurrence for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2026. These CGIA caps interact with the damage categories above -- our attorneys will map the applicable framework to your specific claim during your free consultation.
Defenses Insurance Companies Use in Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Cases
Colorado Springs catastrophic injury cases attract aggressive defense strategies because the dollar amounts are large. Here is what to expect -- and how CGH counters each one.
Comparative Fault Inflation
Under C.R.S. 13-21-111, reducing your recovery requires only proving you are 50% or more at fault -- at which point you recover nothing. Defense teams routinely argue that a victim was speeding, distracted, or contributed to a dangerous road condition to push their fault percentage over the bar. CGH builds accident reconstruction evidence from day one to lock in the actual fault allocation before the defense narrative takes hold.
Life Care Plan Attacks
The defense will hire their own life care planner to minimize projected costs and challenge yours under the Shreck/Daubert admissibility standards. CGH uses CLCP- and CNLCP-certified planners whose methodology and documentation are built for litigation from the start, reducing the surface area for these attacks.
Pre-Existing Condition Arguments
If you had a prior spinal condition, previous brain injury, or earlier orthopedic surgery, the defense will argue your current condition predates the accident. Colorado's eggshell plaintiff doctrine requires defendants to take victims as they find them -- but proving the aggravation causally resulted from the accident requires a strong medical record and expert support from day one.
CGIA Notice Failure (Government Defendants)
If a Colorado Springs city vehicle, CDOT road crew, or El Paso County entity contributed to your injury, the government defendant's first defense is almost always that you missed the 182-day written notice requirement under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1). This is a jurisdictional argument that typically ends the case. CGH identifies potential government defendants at intake and files notice immediately if there is any possibility of governmental involvement.
"I wish I could leave more than 5 stars! Very thorough and thoughtful -- I felt heard throughout the entire process. They really care about their clients."-- Grace M., CGH Injury Lawyers Client
How Insurance Works in Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury Cases
Catastrophic injury claims involve layers of insurance that most victims have never had to navigate before. Here is a plain-English overview of what you are likely facing.
At-Fault Driver Insurance
The at-fault driver's liability policy is the primary recovery source for motor vehicle catastrophic injury cases. Colorado requires minimum limits but many catastrophic injury claims exceed those limits -- meaning underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage may become critical.
Your Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
If the at-fault driver's policy limits are inadequate to cover the full value of your catastrophic injuries, your own UIM coverage (if you carry it) fills part of the gap. CGH reviews every applicable policy at intake to identify the maximum recovery universe.
Commercial and Fleet Policies
Truck accidents, rideshare accidents, and commercial vehicle crashes in Colorado Springs typically involve higher policy limits. These cases also involve complex coverage layers -- the carrier, the owner, the operator, and any contracting entity may each carry separate policies.
The Collateral Source Rule Protects You
Health insurance, workers' compensation, and disability payments you received do not reduce the defendant's obligation to you. The collateral source rule is your protection against the defense using your own prudent insurance coverage against you.
Government Self-Insurance Under CGIA
Government entities in Colorado are typically self-insured under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. Claims against CDOT, the City of Colorado Springs, or El Paso County proceed under the CGIA framework, with the $505,000 per-person and $1,421,000 per-occurrence caps from C.R.S. 24-10-114(1)(b) applying to claims accruing on or after January 1, 2026.
Colorado Springs Catastrophic Injury: Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on what I can recover for my catastrophic injury in Colorado?
It depends on the type of damage. Economic damages -- future medical expenses, lost wages, in-home care -- are never capped under Colorado law. Physical impairment and disfigurement awards are expressly excluded from all caps under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(5). Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering are capped at $1,500,000 for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, under C.R.S. 13-21-102.5(3)(a)(II). If a government entity is at fault, CGIA caps of $505,000 per person and $1,421,000 per occurrence apply under C.R.S. 24-10-114(1)(b) to claims accruing on or after January 1, 2026.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit from a Colorado Springs accident?
The statute of limitations depends on how the injury happened. Motor vehicle crashes carry a 3-year deadline under C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n). Most other personal injury cases carry a 2-year deadline under C.R.S. 13-80-102(1)(a). If a government entity may be at fault, the 182-day CGIA written notice requirement under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1) is a jurisdictional prerequisite that must be met before any lawsuit can be filed. The motor vehicle and general tort deadlines run from the date of injury; the 182-day CGIA notice period runs from the date you discover the injury, which may be later. Call CGH Injury Lawyers at (303) 209-9395 immediately so we can identify every applicable deadline in your case.
Where is the courthouse for a Colorado Springs catastrophic injury lawsuit?
Major civil personal injury lawsuits in Colorado Springs are filed in El Paso County District Court at 270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. CGH Injury Lawyers handles cases filed there from our Denver office and has experience with El Paso County's procedural requirements and docket pace.
Which trauma center handles catastrophic injury victims in Colorado Springs?
The primary Level I trauma center for the Colorado Springs area is UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central at 1400 E. Boulder Street. A Level III trauma center, UCHealth Memorial Hospital North, operates at 4050 Briargate Parkway and handles initial stabilization for patients in the north Colorado Springs corridor before potential transfer. If you or a family member was treated at either facility, CGH can help you request and organize the medical records needed to support your catastrophic injury claim.
What is a Life Care Plan and why does my catastrophic injury case need one?
A Life Care Plan is a forensic economic document that projects the full cost of your medical care, therapy, assistive equipment, home modification, and support services over your lifetime. It is prepared by a Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP or CNLCP) over a period of 60 to 90 days and is built to survive Shreck and Daubert admissibility challenges in Colorado courts. Without a defensible Life Care Plan, insurance companies can dispute future care costs with their own projections. CGH Injury Lawyers engages Life Care Planners in the first weeks after taking your case -- before the defense sets its reserve.
What happens if I was partly at fault for the crash on I-25 or Powers Boulevard in Colorado Springs?
Colorado uses modified comparative negligence under C.R.S. 13-21-111. If your share of fault is less than 50%, you can still recover -- but your total award is reduced by your fault percentage. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters routinely try to assign blame to injured victims to reduce payouts. Having an attorney who can counter those fault arguments with accident reconstruction evidence and witness testimony is critical on high-traffic corridors like I-25 and Powers Boulevard.
What if my catastrophic injury was caused by a dangerous road condition maintained by the City of Colorado Springs or CDOT?
If a government entity -- including the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, or the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) -- contributed to your injury through a road defect, dangerous intersection design, or negligent maintenance, the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA) applies. Under C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), you must file a written notice of claim within 182 days of discovering the injury. Missing this deadline is a jurisdictional bar that typically ends your claim. Damage caps of $505,000 per person and $1,421,000 per occurrence apply to claims against government entities under C.R.S. 24-10-114(1)(b) for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2026. Call CGH Injury Lawyers immediately if a government road or vehicle was involved.
Does CGH Injury Lawyers have an office in Colorado Springs?
No. CGH Injury Lawyers has one office: 2701 Lawrence St., Suite 201, Denver, CO 80205. We serve Colorado Springs clients from that office. Our attorneys travel to Colorado Springs for court appearances, depositions, and client meetings as needed. Distance is never a barrier to the quality of representation we deliver. Call us at (303) 209-9395 or reach out through this page to get started with a free consultation.
Tell Us What Happened -- We Will Take It From Here
A free, confidential consultation with a CGH attorney is one call away: (303) 209-9395
Related Pages
Colorado Springs Practice Areas
Statewide Catastrophic Injury Resources
Denver Practice Areas
About CGH Injury Lawyers
A Life-Altering Injury in Colorado Springs Changes Everything. We Handle the Rest.
CGH Injury Lawyers serves Colorado Springs from our Denver office. We build the Life Care Plans, engage the experts, and take the fight to the insurance company so you can focus on recovery. Free consultation, no fee unless we win.