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Colorado PI Settlement Calculator

Colorado Legal Guide

Estimating Colorado Personal Injury Settlement Value

Settlement value is a blend of provable economic damages, projected future costs, and the intangible harms recognized by Colorado law. Use this framework to interpret the calculator output and prepare for discussions with adjusters or attorneys.

Economic vs. non-economic damages

Economic damages include all measurable financial losses: medical bills (past and future), lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, household services, and out-of-pocket costs. Keep copies of invoices, EOBs, and wage statements to substantiate these figures.

Non-economic damages compensate for pain, emotional distress, inconvenience, and loss of quality of life. Colorado applies statutory caps to most non-economic awards, but juries may consider factors like injury severity, permanency, and lifestyle disruption when choosing a number within the cap.

Multiplier method reference

Minor soft-tissue injuries

1.5× – 2×

Low medical specials, quick recovery, conservative pain and suffering

Moderate injuries (fractures, surgery)

2× – 3.5×

Documented treatment, rehab, and lingering pain

Severe / catastrophic injuries

3.5× – 5×+

Permanent impairment, surgeries, or life care plans

Multipliers are guidelines. Actual negotiations depend on liability, medical documentation, venue, and policy limits.

Factors influencing settlement value

  • Liability clarity (e.g., police reports, surveillance footage, admissions of fault)
  • Medical documentation depth (diagnostic imaging, specialist opinions, treatment gaps)
  • Insurance coverage limits (at-fault policies, UM/UIM stacking, umbrella coverage)
  • Comparative negligence arguments that can reduce the recovery under Colorado’s 50% bar
  • Venue considerations—jury pools and historic verdict ranges vary by county

Action plan

  1. Input your economic data into the calculator to get a baseline range.
  2. Document narrative impacts (pain scale, activity limitations) for the quality-of-life section.
  3. Compare the output against statutory caps and multiplier guidance above.
  4. Flag policy limit issues early—if damages exceed available coverage, explore UM/UIM or umbrella options.