Denver Personal Injury Attorneyrepresenting Coloradoans hurt by the negligence of others.
A Denver personal injury attorney at Stuart & Ward LLP represents people seriously injured by another person's negligence or wrongdoing. We handle plaintiff-side civil litigation across Colorado, from car accidents and premises injuries to professional malpractice and wrongful death.
Being hurt in an accident can be a debilitating event that affects every part of a person's life. Medical bills, lost income, long-term care, and the emotional weight of a serious injury can be overwhelming. Our role is to handle the legal side so our clients can focus on recovery.
Stuart & Ward LLP holds a Tier 1 ranking from U.S. News - Best Law Firms for Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. We operate differently than high-volume settlement mills: clients work directly with attorneys, and every case gets individualized attention.
Personal Injury Cases We Handleacross Colorado civil courts.
Our Denver personal injury attorney team handles a wide range of plaintiff-side civil cases. The categories below cover the most common matter types, but the underlying skill set (investigation, evidence development, expert retention, trial preparation) applies across them.
Car Accidents
Motor vehicle collisions are the largest single category of personal injury cases in Colorado. We represent drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians injured in collisions, including uninsured and underinsured motorist claims. Recoverable damages include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Premises Liability
Slip and fall, parking lot injuries, ice and water hazards, crumbling infrastructure, and other injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else's property. Colorado premises liability is governed by a tiered classification (invitee, licensee, trespasser) that determines the duty of care. Establishing the property owner's notice of the hazard is often the central issue.
Professional Malpractice
Injuries and financial losses caused by the negligence of professionals: doctors, accountants, financial advisors, and other lawyers. Professional malpractice cases are complex and require expert witnesses, but the recoveries can be substantial when the underlying negligence is clear. We have experience holding professionals accountable across multiple fields.
Wrongful Death
When negligence or wrongful conduct causes the death of a loved one, surviving family members can recover damages including lost financial support, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses. Wrongful death cases involve specific Colorado statutory requirements and short notice periods, particularly when a government entity is involved.
Product Liability
Injuries caused by defective products, including manufacturing defects, design defects, and failures to warn. Product liability cases often involve significant expert work to establish the defect, the causation, and the damages. Recoveries can be substantial in cases involving serious or permanent injury.
Dog Bites & Other Negligence
Colorado has specific statutory provisions for dog bite cases, with stronger protections for victims than many other states. We also handle general negligence claims including workplace accidents, recreational injuries, and other situations where someone else's carelessness caused harm.
What a Denver Personal Injury Attorney Does at Each Stagefrom incident to resolution.
A personal injury case has a structured path that runs over months or years depending on the severity and complexity. Knowing what to expect at each stage helps clients make informed decisions about settlement, treatment, and timing. A Denver personal injury attorney maps the case to that path from intake.
The first phase focuses on documenting the incident, identifying responsible parties, preserving evidence, and getting the client into appropriate medical care. Treatment records are critical to damages, and gaps in treatment can be used by the defense to argue the injuries were less severe than claimed. We coordinate with medical providers as part of building the case.
Once treatment has stabilized and damages are quantifiable, we present a demand to the responsible party or their insurer. Most personal injury cases resolve at this stage through negotiation, but the leverage in that negotiation depends on how trial-ready the case is. A demand backed by thorough investigation and credible expert support carries more weight.
If negotiation does not produce a fair offer, we file suit. Discovery follows: written interrogatories, document production, depositions, expert reports. This phase tests the strength of both sides' positions and often produces a settlement once the defense sees the case the way the plaintiff sees it.
The majority of cases settle before trial, often during or shortly before scheduled trial dates. The minority that do try are the ones the defense is unwilling to settle on reasonable terms. Either way, the case has to be developed as if trial is the destination, because that posture is what creates the leverage to settle well.
The Colorado statute of limitations is short. Most personal injury claims must be filed within two to three years; claims against government entities require notice within 182 days. Delay is the single most common reason otherwise-strong cases are lost.
How a Denver Personal Injury Attorney Builds the Casetrial-ready preparation from day one.
Our approach to personal injury work mirrors the approach our partners learned as trial lawyers: prepare every case as if it will be tried, because that is the only posture that produces real leverage with insurers and defendants.
Direct Attorney Access
Our clients work directly with the attorneys handling their cases, not through case managers or paralegals as the primary contact. Calls and emails are returned promptly. The client experience is a priority because the practical reality of a serious injury case is months or years of close work between client and counsel.
Independent Investigation
We do not accept the other side's investigation as the record. We pursue our own witness interviews, scene documentation, expert review, and document collection. Insurance adjusters and defense counsel will build the case against your claim; the plaintiff's job is to build the case for it more thoroughly.
Trial-Ready Posture
The cases that produce the strongest settlements are the cases the defense believes will go to trial if they have to. Our preparation, our retention of experts, and our willingness to take cases through verdict are what create room to negotiate. Every case is prepared with the trial in view.
A Tier 1 Colorado Personal Injury Practicerecognized by U.S. News - Best Law Firms.
Stuart & Ward LLP holds Tier 1 rankings in three Colorado categories from U.S. News and Best Lawyers' Best Law Firms publication, including Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. The ranking is based on a combination of client evaluations, peer reviews, and law firm reviews.
Tier 1: PI Plaintiff Litigation
Stuart & Ward LLP is ranked Tier 1 by U.S. News - Best Law Firms in Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. The Tier 1 designation places the firm in the top tier of Colorado plaintiff personal injury practices and reflects sustained results across multiple types of injury cases.
Colorado Super Lawyers
All three partners (Martin A. Stuart, Thomas R. Ward, and Josh Amos) have been recognized as Colorado Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers selections are based on peer evaluations and independent research.
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
The firm holds the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, the highest peer-review rating from one of the longest-running attorney evaluation services. The AV designation reflects very high legal ability and ethical standards.
Personal Injury FAQ
What kinds of personal injury cases does Stuart & Ward LLP handle?
Stuart & Ward LLP handles plaintiff-side personal injury cases including car accidents, premises liability (slip and fall, unsafe conditions), professional malpractice (medical, financial, legal), wrongful death, dog bites, product liability, workplace accidents, and civil rights violations. Our firm has a Tier 1 ranking from U.S. News for Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Colorado?
Colorado's general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury, though some categories have different deadlines. Car accident claims have a three-year statute of limitations. Claims against government entities require a notice of claim within 182 days. Medical malpractice and certain other claims have specific rules. Missing the deadline almost always ends the case, so consulting with counsel early is important.
What damages can I recover in a Colorado personal injury case?
Recoverable damages in a Colorado personal injury case typically include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and property damage. In cases of egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. Colorado has statutory caps on certain categories of damages, including non-economic damages.
Do I have to go to court for a personal injury case?
Most personal injury cases resolve through negotiation with the insurance company or the defendant, without going to trial. However, the cases that resolve favorably are usually the ones the defense believes will go to trial if they have to. Our firm prepares every case as if it will be tried, which is what gives us leverage to negotiate strong settlements.
What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages?
Economic damages are quantifiable losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for losses that are real but harder to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Colorado law places statutory caps on non-economic damages in most personal injury cases.
What if I was partially at fault for my injury?
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partially at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover. This is one of the reasons it matters to have counsel who can develop the facts and frame the case to minimize attribution of fault.
What should I do immediately after an injury?
Get medical attention first. Document the scene with photos if possible. Get names and contact information for witnesses. Report the incident through proper channels (police for a vehicle accident, the property manager for a premises injury, the employer for a workplace incident). Do not give a recorded statement to the other side's insurance company without counsel. Consult with a personal injury attorney before signing anything from an insurer.
Why hire Stuart & Ward LLP for a personal injury case?
Our firm holds a Tier 1 ranking from U.S. News - Best Law Firms for Colorado Personal Injury Plaintiff Litigation. Our partners have decades of trial experience, and we approach every case as one we are prepared to try. We operate differently than high-volume settlement mills: clients work directly with attorneys, calls and emails are returned promptly, and every case gets individualized attention.
Injured by Someone Else's Negligence?
Personal injury cases run on tight deadlines, and the strongest cases are the ones with counsel involved early. Call Stuart & Ward LLP for a free, confidential consultation with a Denver personal injury attorney.