Yes!  Generally speaking, an injury victim is entitled to tax-free money to compensate for his losses. This is because the IRS decided, long ago, that injury compensation is a “return of principle” rather than a “capital gain”.  When you are injured, you have lost your pre-existing state of health and/or your abilities. Court awarded damage awards (including settlements) are made for the purpose of making you whole again.  For that reason, when you recover money in a personal injury lawsuit, the tax authorities do not require you to pay income tax on the money. There are exceptions to this rule, with respect to certain unusual damage awards. We encourage clients to consult with their tax professional to understand all the rules that may apply to their particular recovery.

Your recovery is based on the seriousness of your injuries, your lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering and the degree of fault. This can add up to a lot of money, depending on the injury.

Specially trained adjusters do their job by trying to give as little as possible or nothing. If they can stop you from getting the full value of what the insurer owes you, they will do that. Yes, many insurance adjusters are quite sociable and friendly. They can even appear to be very nice people. Maybe they even are nice people, in their everyday lives. However, in the context of an accident, when you are injured, you must be wary of dealing directly with the adjuster. Remember, the adjuster’s job security depends on his ability to give out as little of the insurer’s money as is humanly possible. So, the adjuster is NOT out to help you. Adjusters are driven by a desire to get raises and promotions  just like everyone else. And, the “fat cats” at the top of the insurance industry don’t give out raises or promotions to people who easily give out the insurance company’s money. Not even when it is owed. So, most adjusters are quite willing to screw you over, if they can get away with it. That’s because it’s in their own best interest to do so. Making sure that the truth cannot be twisted against you to reduce the amount the insurer owes is, in fact, one important reason to hire an attorney immediately after an accident.  DO NOT HESITATE! DO NOT DELAY!  Frankly speaking, the best single thing you can do for yourself is to AVOID SPEAKING to any adjuster about your injuries or the facts of the accident. Get a licensed attorney to do the talking for you. He can look after your interests a lot better than you can. In fact, that’s what he is in business to do. If the attorney is hired on a contingency fee basis, his interest is aligned with yours. He doesn’t get paid unless you get paid. And, the more money he can squeeze out of the insurer, the more money he will be paid.

We handle all types of injuries resulting from negligence, including death, brain injury, physical disfigurement, dismemberment, back and neck sprain and strain injuries, slipped and herniated disks, broken bones, internal injuries, etc. We can also handle first party insurance claims against your own insurance company.

Yes! Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims are examples of so-called “first party claims”. That means that they are claims against your own insurance company. Most Coloradoans have a “secret” supplemental policy, baked into their car insurance, that insurers are required by law to offer, but don’t like to talk about.  Unless you specifically reject it at the time you bought your policy, you have the coverage. It is supposed to pay for accidents caused by people who either don’t have enough insurance or don’t have any insurance at all. Given that more than 25% of Coloradoans are completely uninsured and many more have only the basic coverage required by law, often, the person who caused the accident is unable to cover all the damages he is responsible for. Insurance companies refuse to honor these type of auto insurance commitments more than any other. Failure of an insurer to agree to pay a fair amount of the uninsured motorist coverage, in settlement of your damage claim, is bad faith on the part of the insurer. It is the stuff out of which most first party insurance lawsuits are born. We will help force the insurance company to pay what it owes, even against very stiff resistance.

Mr. Goodman’s fee is based on a percentage of the gross recovery. Costs are a deduction from the gross recovery, paid when and if you win or settle. If he thinks a case is righteous and just, he’s confident enough of his abilities to take the risk of not getting paid. The first consultation is FREE!

No. So long as you promise to listen to his advice on what to do in your case, Mr. Goodman will advance the costs of litigation. 

Settling vs. Going to Court

Most accident cases are settled out of court—often without even filing a lawsuit. Settling can sometimes be in your best interest, but not always. In cases where significant compensation is at stake, insurance companies may push you to the brink of trial before paying what you’re owed. If your lawyer isn’t prepared to take your case all the way, you could end up with far less than you deserve.

The Problem with “Settlement Mills”
Unfortunately, not all law firms are willing to fight for you. Some, particularly in personal injury, operate as “settlement mills.” These firms heavily advertise, on billboards, television and elsewhere. They take on as many cases as possible, often without properly evaluating the merits of each case. They settle quickly—often accepting whatever the insurance company offers—with little resistance. Some prioritize making “friends” with adjusters, others seek fast payouts, and some simply grow tired of fighting.

To secure quick settlements or maintain relationships with adjusters, some firms accept low-ball offers. Mr. Goodman’s approach is different: He works to get you your money as quickly as possible but will never advise you to accept an unfair offer.

The Insurance Company can deal with you, once. . . but they have to deal with us, time and time again. An attorney’s knowledge and credentials are the most important tool he has to help you fight for justice. 

Most people, frankly, don’t know the first thing about picking a lawyer. Don’t choose one based on a garish billboards or TV ads. Such firms are often settlement mills that work hard on your case, and won’t get you a fair settlement. Your choice should be based on the lawyer’s knowledge and experience level. Mr. Goodman has a 40+ years of experience.

Here is a partial list of the types of accidents our office can handle:

• auto accidents
• pedestrian accidents
•  motorcycle accidents
• accidents at work
• slip, trip & fall cases
• accidents with drunk drivers
• children’s accidents
• injuries on property
• scaffold falls
• ladder falls
• roof falls
• dog bites
• school accidents
• camp accidents
• landlord negligence
• uncleared snow & ice fall downs
• swimming accidents
• electrical injuries
• chemical injuries
• back injuries
• neck injuries
• disc injuries
• injuries at apartment buildings
• injuries at rented houses
• contractor injuries
• laborer injuries
• unsafe buildings
• sidewalk defects
• road defects
• poorly maintained playground injuries
• hunting accidents
• shootings
• anesthesia errors
• surgical errors
• misdiagnosis
• fractures
• whiplash
• assaults by drunk persons
• hospital errors 
• strains/sprains
• assault & battery
• all-terrain vehicle accidents
• burns
• scars
• wrongful death
• machine injuries
• factory injuries
• construction accidents
• fires/explosions
• bus/train/boat accidents
• airplane crashes

.

…AND MANY MORE…