Client Stories
Dianne Sawaya has worked with thousands of clients over the years – clients who have trusted their cases with Dianne and the Denver, Colorado personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. Presented here are a few examples of the types of cases Dianne Sawaya has helped clients with. If you would like to talk about your case and how we might help you, give us a call or email us to arrange a free consultation.
Every legal case is unique. While the client stories here are based on real client cases, they may not represent the results or recovery you might receive in your case. To talk with a personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya about the possible value of your claim and the opportunities and challenges you may face in your case, call our office or contact us for a free consultation.
Compassionate Justice
CC and her passenger were driving to an appointment when her worst nightmare came to life. Another driver t-boned her car on the passenger side, totaling her car and injuring her and one of the three disabled adults she and her husband care for out of their home. Having served in the U.S. Military, CC rose to the occasion by putting the needs of her passenger over her own. She sought medical care for her own injuries two days after the accident and was immediately referred to a physical therapist. After suffering for months with pain in her knees from striking the dashboard, CC and her doctors felt that surgery was the only way to correct the damage caused by the collision.
When CC came to The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, the at-fault driver’s insurance company had offered her $1,500. She knew that wasn’t going to be enough to get her healthy again, so she made the call. After nearly a year of intense therapy and surgery, and with the possibility of more surgery in the future, Dianne knew it wasn’t going to be enough either. Dianne was able to negotiate a total settlement of $180,000.00.
Dianne’s compassion for CC, as well as her passion for justice, helped her win the day and prove that the big insurance companies have met their match. If you are seeking justice for injuries caused by the negligence of someone else, you owe it to yourself to speak with Dianne. Call us 24/7 for a free case review to see if you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Settlement: $180,000
Contact Dianne Sawaya for your FREE CONSULTATION
Denver Sideswiping Car Accident
Seeing A Case Through Until The End
Brenda was injured in 2015 when another driver merged into her lane, sideswiping her car. After working with another personal injury attorney for two years, Brenda was blindsided when her attorney told her that he was dropping her case rather than taking it to litigation. Brenda, now living in another state, frantically started searching for a new attorney. After making several calls, Brenda decided to make the call to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
Brenda came to our firm with a $1,200.00 offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, despite the severe injuries she suffered in the collision caused by their insured. Dianne’s team immediately got to work collecting evidence to support Brenda’s case and in less than one year, the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya was able to negotiate a total settlement of $75,000 by acquiring limits on both the defendant’s insurance policy and Brenda’s own underinsured motorist coverage.
Brenda was so thankful that she chose to trust the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya to see her case through until the end after being spurned by her previous attorney.
If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence and you don’t think your attorney is working hard enough for you, make the call to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya at (303) 758-4777 or visit us online at www.dlslawfirm.com today!
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Settlement: $75,000
Victory in Sight
When Kathy was injured in a T-bone collision caused by another driver, she never expected to have to fight with her own insurance company…
Kathy was driving through a green light when another driver ran the red light and T-boned her car on the driver’s side; causing significant arm, neck, and knee injuries. Kathy presented to the emergency room two days after the collision and was immediately referred to a chiropractor for additional treatment. A couple weeks into her treatment, Kathy’s chiropractor suggested that she call an attorney; not because of her injuries, but because her medical insurance was refusing to pay for her treatment. That’s when Kathy decided to make the call to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
During her first meeting with Dianne, Kathy explained that she had purchased a $100,000 medical payment policy from her auto insurance carrier that was designed to guarantee her medical bills would be paid after any collision. Dianne immediately offered to take the case, knowing that this was a fight she would win. With victory in sight, Dianne prepared her team and began arguing with Kathy’s insurance company, who would eventually plant the seed for their own defeat.
Kathy’s victory came after her insurance company demanded that she be evaluated by an independent medical examiner (IME) of their choosing. The IME concluded that Kathy’s treatment was necessary and that her insurance company was responsible for payment.
Kathy had won the fight with her insurance company thanks to the hard work and determination of Dianne Sawaya and her legal team. If you purchased medical payment coverage through your auto insurance policy and are being denied benefits, call the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya today for a free case review.
Not only did we successfully get Kathy’s insurance company to pay out the $100,000 for the medical bills, she was also able to settle with the at-fault driver’s insurance company for $100,000 and obtain an additional settlement through Kathy’s underinsured policy for over $570,000.
Settlement: Insurance company to pay out $100,000 for medical bills, settle with at-fault drivers insurance for $100,000 and settlement through Kathy’s underinsured policy for over $570,000.
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Rear-ended By a Semi-Truck
Placing Trust in the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya
Michael was stopped at a red light when he was rear-ended by a semi-truck, pushing his truck 58 feet from the point of impact and causing injuries to his neck and shoulders. Michael went to visit his primary care provider (PCP) the next day and was immediately started on an intense recovery program including physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and massage therapy.
Nearly a year after the collision, Michael was walking his dog when he slipped and fell. Michael reported the fall to his PCP and explained that he was experiencing severe pain in both shoulders. Michael’s PCP recommended an MRI be done to determine the extent of his injuries. The results of the MRI showed that Michael had two torn rotator cuffs and would require surgery. Michael’s PCP and his surgeon determined that his injuries were too severe to have been caused by the fall and must have been a result of the collision.
Michael presented the new findings to the defendant’s insurance company; unfortunately, the defendant’s insurance company disagreed with both doctors, offering Michael a settlement of $3,500. It was at this point that Michael realized he wouldn’t get the justice he was entitled to on his own, so he made the call to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
Dianne met with Michael and his wife and quickly realized that this wasn’t going to be an “easy” case, but that had never stopped her before. By the end of the meeting, Michael had decided to put his trust in Dianne and hire the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya to represent him. While Michael was working to recover from his injuries, Dianne and her team started working to ensure he received fair compensation for them.
Once Michael completed his treatment, Dianne began negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company. After months of negotiating back and forth, and gaining little ground, Dianne met with Michael again to discuss taking the case before a judge. Once Dianne had explained the process and answered his questions, Michael decided to place his trust in Dianne once more and move his case into litigation. Michael’s case never made it to the courtroom though.
During pre-trial mediation, two attorneys from the defendant’s insurance company met with Michael and our litigation team in a last attempt to reach a settlement. After hours of negotiating back and forth, the defendant’s attorneys finally agreed to settle Michael’s case for $145,000 and pay for mediation costs. The trust that Michael had placed in Dianne Sawaya and her team had paid off.
If you need an attorney you can trust to represent you for your personal injury case, call the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya at (303) 758-4777 or visit us online today for a free case review.
Settlement: $145,00 and pay for mediation costs.
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Six-Year-Old Pedestrian Struck by Moving Vehicle
Age Does Matter…
Six-year-old Will was crossing the street with his older brother when he was struck by a moving vehicle. Wayne was airlifted to Children’s hospital and was treated for a punctured lung, a lacerated liver, and several broken bones. The defendant driver claimed that Wayne had entered the street illegally and that they were unable to stop in time to avoid hitting him. Wayne’s brother claimed that the defendant driver was talking on a cell phone and not paying attention. So, who was liable? That’s the question that led Wayne’s father to call the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
After meeting with Wayne and his father and hearing Wayne’s story, Dianne knew she had to help. Dianne immediately agreed to take the case and started searching for anything that would help Wayne and his family find justice. It turned out that because Wayne was only six years old, he could not be held liable due to a precedent set back in 1967 during the Benallo v. Bare trial. The Benallo v. Bare case ruling reads, “We believe it is desirable at this time to adopt a specific rule on the problem involved here. We hold, therefore, along with those jurisdictions previously cited, that a child six years of age or younger is incapable of being contributorily negligent.”
After presenting the Benallo v. Bare case ruling to the defendant’s insurance company, it didn’t take long for them to concede to a settlement of policy limits totaling $25,000. Dianne was also able to negotiate a $100,000 settlement from Wayne’s parent’s insurance company by utilizing the underinsured motorist coverage they had purchased as part of their auto policy.
If your child has been injured in an accident, let us fight for your family by calling the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya at (303) 758-4777 today and scheduling a free consultation with Dianne. We even offer free in-home consultations if you can’t come to us!
Settlement: Policy limits, totaling $25,00 from the defendant’s insurance, $100,000 settlement from utilizing the underinsured motorist coverage.
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Car Accident and Work Comp Claims
Getting Justice When the System Tried to Take It Away
Derek J. was the passenger in a work truck a coworker was driving on a country dirt road in Montana. A speeding driver came over the ridge of a hill and struck Derek’s car head-on at a high rate of speed. Both trucks were totally demolished, and Derek almost died at the scene. He was transported to a hospital, which life-flighted him to a bigger medical center because they couldn’t treat Derek’s severe injuries.
Derek endured four major surgeries, a month in the hospital, extensive rehab and months more in a wheelchair. He was off work for more than a year. After four years of treatment, he still is limited in his physical abilities, has been changed forever emotionally, has permanent work restrictions and will need years more medical treatment. His medical bills to date were more than $250,000, he lost $81,000 in wages from being unable to work, it was unknown how much his future medical care could cost, and his life had been changed forever.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company settled for policy limits. Then things got rough for Derek. The Montana workers’ compensation system said they were only responsible for 25 percent of liability because Derek wasn’t the driver of the work truck. Montana work comp placed a lien on the $250,000-plus in medical bills it had paid, meaning Derek would have to pay the money back to the state, and disputed having to pay for future care.
Dianne Sawaya wasn’t about to let them get away with that. Working with co-counsel in Montana, Dianne filed a lawsuit. With extensive research and expert opinion by law firm legal staff, the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya forced the work comp insurer to waive its lien and agree to pay for future medical care. Derek got the justice – and compensation – he deserves.
Settlement: $1,000,000; waiver of $256,000 work comp lien; $300,000 annuity; work comp agreement to pay for future medical care; payment of child support arrears.
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Denver Premises Liability
Casting Light On a Dark Story
Father David was having dinner with his superior, Father Steven. As they were leaving the restaurant through a dark hallway, Father David climbed a set of stairs and turned to exit the building. At the same time, another patron was entering the building, and Father David stepped back on what he thought was a flat surface to let the patron in. But because the hallway and entryway were almost pitch dark, Father David fell headfirst down a long flight of dark stairs, landing hard on his left shoulder. Father David’s nightmare over the next two years included emergency room visits, failed surgeries, numerous doctor appointments and tests. He endured constant pain, lack of sleep, relentless pain in his neck, shoulder and arm, and he had to take several pain medications each day. The dark and unsafe stairway led to Father David’s injuries, but the building owner and its insurance company saw it differently. They said the hallway and entry actually were lit and it was Father David’s fault – even though Father Steven, in a sworn statement, said it wasn’t. Father David suffered injuries, medical treatment and other expenses well into six figures. After realizing Dianne Sawaya would force the owner to try to discredit Father David’s story in court, the insurer saw the error of its ways.
Settlement: Policy limits
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Denver Car Accident
Just Any Lawyer Won’t Do
Sandra P. was side-swiped by a speeding driver and suffered knee and back injuries. The other driver’s insurance company said Sandra’s injuries existed before the accident and so they weren’t going to pay more than a tiny amount of money. Sandra at first wanted to work with a lawyer who helped her with her divorce. Dianne Sawaya explained that because she is an expert who specializes in Colorado personal injury law, it would be better for Sandra to work with The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, and she agreed. Dianne put together all of Sandra’s medical records, reports from both the police and Dianne’s private investigator, and worked closely with one of the law firm’s expert doctors to write a report on Sandra’s medical history. The insurance company couldn’t argue, and offered policy limits to Sandra. Now Dianne is going after additional money from Sandra’s own policy’s underinsured coverage.
Settlement: Policy limits; UI policy settlement pending
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Denver Car Accident
When Your Own Insurance Company Isn’t Your Friend
Patricia G. was hurt when she was rear-ended at a stoplight and pushed into the car in front of her. Patricia’s car was wrecked and undriveable, and had to be towed from the scene. Patricia went to the hospital in an ambulance. The at-fault driver’s insurance company paid the driver’s policy limits, but Patricia’s own insurance company refused to pay its uninsured/underinsured portion. It said Patricia’s was a “minor impact” accident (never mind that her car had to be towed away) and her injuries came before the accident. Patricia’s insurer even made her sit through a seven-hour grilling by the insurance company attorneys, all in a desperate attempt to not pay her anything. Dianne Sawaya wasn’t about to let that happen. The insurer agreed that instead of a lawsuit, Patricia’s demand wasn’t so unreasonable after all.
Settlement: Full policy limits
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Colorado Semi Accident
Making Insurance Pay for Suffering and Barbie Dolls
John Doe and his family were traveling cross-country to their new home in Colorado when they were slammed into by a semi-truck with a driver who had been behind the wheel way too long. The crash tore the Does’ car apart, scattering the five of them and their possessions. The youngest child was helicoptered to Denver for emergency care, and the rest of the family was badly injured. The Does arrived in Denver with only the clothes on their backs. The children became upset that they didn’t have their Barbie dolls, so the father drove back to the far corner of Colorado to retrieve the dolls from the salvage yard. Dianne Sawaya made the trucking company’s insurer understand why the Does deserved significant compensation for the suffering their negligent driver put them through.
Settlement: (confidential seven-figure settlement)
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Denver Slip-and-Fall Accident
Property Owner’s Denial of Responsibility for Injuries Didn’t Work
Montgomery L. and a friend went to a restaurant for dinner. When they were leaving by the back door, another patron was entering. Montgomery stepped back as the door swung inward to allow the patron to enter. The problem was, the property owner had failed to replace a burned out bulb over the door and neither Montgomery, his friend or the patron clearly saw the poorly arranged stairs leading to the basement. Montgomery fell backward down the stairs, severely injuring himself. The building owner denied that the light was burned out and his insurance company refused to pay. But Dianne Sawaya’s sharp investigation of the property and the incident revealed a witness who said the light was off and that the owner turned the light on before emergency responders arrived. The insurance company changed its mind about denying the claim.
Settlement: Commercial policy limits
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Colorado Motorcycle Accident
Severe Injuries Will Require Medical Care for Life
Monte L. was in a serious motorcycle accident. His motorcycle was totaled by a commercial vehicle and Monte sustained major injuries, including a brain injury. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance for extensive treatment. Monte found himself not only unable to work but unable to enjoy hobbies he had enjoyed for years. Monte’s family also saw a change in his personality after the accident. Monte came to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya a year after his accident. He pulled his case from another personal injury law firm because he felt he wasn’t getting adequate treatment or attention to his case. Dianne Sawaya took Monte’s case to mediation and settled it for $900,000. He didn’t have health insurance at the time of his accident, so Dianne Sawaya’s office worked with his medical providers to see about helping Monte by reducing his extensive medical bills.
Settlement: $900,000
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Colorado Motorcycle Accident
Quick Legal Action Established Liability Early
Henry T. was badly hurt when a teenager driving a local company’s vehicle turned in front of his motorcycle, causing Henry to crash into the side of the car. The insurance company that issued the policy to the company employing the teenager denied any liability and said there would be no settlement offer. Dianne Sawaya immediately sent an accident reconstruction engineer to the scene of the crash and to the salvage yard to examine both vehicles. Based on his report, Dianne was able to show clear liability on the part of the employer and bring the insurer around to a reasonable settlement.
Settlement: $700,000
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Motorcycle Accident Denver
Searching for Every Source of Compensation
Irene H. was the passenger on a motorcycle that was hit broadside by the driver of a car that ran a stop sign. She suffered severe neck injuries, a broken leg and a head injury, even though she was wearing a helmet. She was treated at a Denver trauma center, and was treated by more than a dozen providers in the two years following the accident – including a neuropsychologist, orthopedists and a vision therapist. The accident left her unable to ever work again, and Irene couldn’t take care of her three-year-old child. Despite the injuries and the complexity of the case, Dianne Sawaya found several sources of insurance money, developed a life care plan and has helped Irene prepare for her future needs.
Settlement: $585,000
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Slip-and-Fall Accident
Insurance Company Said Client Was Making Up Story
Janine Wallace tripped over a loose piece of rubber molding at the top of a set of stairs at her employer’s office. She fell head-first down the stairs and suffered serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Turns out the employer had complaints in the past about similar problems. They were aware of the issue, but didn’t do enough to keep people safe.
Instead of owning up to the dangerous condition, the insurance company’s lawyers said Janine was making up the whole story based on certain inconsistencies in her case. When that didn’t work, they said an unrelated chronic medical condition was the cause, not their negligent workplace. They also put surveillance on Janine trying to build a story that she was faking her injuries.
Because the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya represented Janine for both her personal injury claim and for the workers’ compensation claim she filed, Dianne was able to call them on their lies and force the insurance company to pay Janine nearly a half-million dollars. Dianne also got the work comp insurer to reduce the amount of money it was trying to get back from Janine’s settlement. Janine got the money she deserved.
Settlement: $500,000
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Colorado Auto Accident
Insurance Company Blamed Sun Belt Driver in Colorado Snow
Donna D.’s brother was visiting from Texas, and she let him borrow her car to run an errand. At an intersection in south Denver, a driver not paying attention slammed into the back of Joan’s car while it waited at a stop light, injuring Joan’s brother. The negligent driver’s insurance company blamed Joan’s brother, saying he was partly negligent because he didn’t drive properly in the Colorado snow – even though he was stopped at a stoplight. Eventually, the insurer made a tiny offer to settle the case, knowing Joan’s brother was back in Texas. The Colorado personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya would have nothing of it. The case was mediated, and the insurer decided a better offer was in order.
Settlement: $450,000
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Colorado Car Accident
How an Expert Attorney Makes Your Case
Laurie T. was hurt in a Denver car accident on Interstate 70. She needed months of medical treatment and her bills were high. The person who crashed into her had $100,000 of insurance, and Laurie’s bills added up to a good portion of that. Despite that, Laurie decided she could settle the case on her own and not have to pay attorney’s fees. What Laurie didn’t know – and many lawyers who don’t specialize in personal injury law don’t know – was that Colorado law requires special permission from Laurie’s insurer before she could accept the other insurer’s offer, or her insurance company wouldn’t have to pay her underinsured benefits. Laurie changed her mind, Dianne Sawaya navigated the complex laws and Laurie got a fair reimbursement for her accident.
Settlement: $350,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Insurance Company Tries to Blame a Prior, Unrelated Injury to Avoid Paying
Emma G. was stopped in traffic on Hwy. 285 when she was rear-ended. Her car was a total loss and even though she had her seat belt on, she suffered severe neck and chest injuries, with constant pain in her shoulders and the base of her head. Beside medical treatment at the hospital, Emma had to endure months of chiropractic care, injections, acupuncture and physical therapy. Because of her injuries, her medical bills climbed to more than $65,000.
But the insurance company tried to weasel out of paying Emma. Long before this accident, Emma had to have neck surgery because of an unrelated problem. The insurance company said her neck problems were because of the prior injury, not this accident, and they said they wouldn’t pay up.
That wasn’t going to fly with Dianne Sawaya. Dianne proved that Emma’s medical records clearly showed that not only did Emma not need ongoing treatment after the long-ago neck surgery, but her doctors concluded that her injuries and pain were chronic and directly related to this accident, and wouldn’t be helped by surgery. Not only that, because she couldn’t work due to the pain, Emma suffered the loss of more than $100,000 in wages. the insurer paid up.
Settlement: $350,000 – $250,000 policy limits from bodily injury insurer, $100,000 policy limits from underinsured motorist insurer.
Contact Dianne Sawaya for your FREE CONSULTATION
Car Accident Denver
Knowing the System Nets Good Settlement
Kevin E. was slowing down on an I-25 off ramp when he was clipped from behind by an uninsured driver and pushed into the median. He suffered serious neck injuries and broke his back, which required surgery. Unfortunately, Kevin’s insurance policy only had uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000, far less than needed to even cover his medical treatment. Because of her knowledge and experience in personal injury law, Dianne Sawaya was able to prove that Kevin lived with his brother and combine the two policies’ uninsured coverages, which provided an adequate amount to compensate Kevin for his injuries.
Settlement: $325,000
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Denver Car Accident
Finding the Extra Money
Tanisha R. was driving on a busy street in north Denver when a driver wanting to go left turned into her lane and T-boned the driver’s side of her car. She suffered broken ribs, a broken arm and a mild brain injury from the side impact. Her medical bills quickly added up to $80,000. The insurance available from the other driver was $100,000, and the insurance company offered only $90,000. So Dianne Sawaya built a strong case with Tanisha’s medical records, police reports and private investigations. And because Dianne knows the ins-and-outs of Colorado’s complex insurance laws, she was able to draw on Tanisha’s own underinsured motorist coverage to get her the funds she deserved.
Settlement: $300,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Insurers Try to Shift the Blame
Jessica C. was in a bad car accident that resulted in many injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Like our veterans who return from war with a brain injury, Jessica’s life was changed completely. In addition to the injuries she suffered in the accident, she had a number of physical conditions beforehand which were aggravated considerably. However, the insurance company argued that all of Jessica’s injuries happened before the accident. They even went so far as to say she didn’t have a traumatic brain injury, despite medical evidence to the contrary. The insurer wouldn’t offer to pay anything. After two years of hard work, Dianne Sawaya took the case to a mediator and got Jessica the compensation she deserved. She was very happy and now can move on with her life.
Settlement: $275,000
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Denver Pedestrian Accident
Helping Get Life Back to Normal
Olivia G. was crossing the street in her neighborhood in Commerce City when she was struck by a careless driver and dragged by the vehicle. She was injured severely, and sustained cuts to her leg so deep that it damaged her bones. Olivia needed bone and skin grafts and needed more than a month in a rehabilitation facility to get her life back to something like normal. In the meantime, couldn’t take care of her granddaughters for several months. Dianne Sawaya put together such a strong case for Olivia that the insurance company didn’t even argue. Instead, they offered the full limits of the policy.
Settlement: $250,000
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Auto Accident Colorado
Insurance Company Delaying Tactics Didn’t Work
Brenda A. was hit head-on by an uninsured driver trying to beat a yellow light. She suffered complicated injuries to her jaw, neck and back, as well as a mild brain injury. Because the other driver had no insurance, Dianne Sawaya filed a claim with Brenda’s own insurance company. But the insurer – her own insurer – used delaying tactics and tried to put pressure on Brenda by refusing to settle for anything other than a small amount. Brenda’s case came close the statute of limitations (the time by which a claim must be settled or a lawsuit filed) and still the insurance company refused to settle. Dianne Sawaya informed the insurer that not only would she file a lawsuit against them for the money they owed her client, but she would file another lawsuit for bad faith tactics in dealing with their own client. The insurance company saw the light and settled with Brenda.
Settlement: $225,000
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Car Accident Denver
Paltry Insurance Company Offer Leads to Reasonable Mediation Settlement
Joan B. had just entered the downtown intersection when she barely avoided being broadsided by a car that ran a red light and didn’t stop or even slow down. As she was stopped in the intersection, Joan was rear-ended and required $40,000 of medical treatment resulting from injuries in the car accident. The insurer of the car that rear-ended her claimed Joan was at fault for stopping in the intersection. After months of negotiation, they offered a small sum – nowhere near enough to compensate Joan for her injuries. The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya took the case to mediation, and the insurer agreed to a more reasonable settlement.
Settlement: $210,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Insurance Company Refused to Pay for Medical Care
Quentin Quimsley was seriously hurt in a car crash and saw two prior attorneys before coming to see the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. He had gotten a lot of medical treatment for his injuries, but instead of being paid for by his health insurance, the providers placed a lien on Quentin’s potential settlement for the full medical charges. The doctors who saw him gave conflicting diagnoses and couldn’t agree on whether Quentin should get surgery and if so, which kind. Because he saw so many doctors and received so much treatment, when in fact he should have had surgery, the at-fault party’s insurance company refused to pay the medical bills. Once Quentin talked to Dianne Sawaya, that changed. Dianne negotiated a settlement for more than three times the amount of what Quentin owed in medical bills. Plus, her sharp negotiating skills got the amount Quentin owed his doctors reduced, putting more money in his pocket.
Settlement: $200,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Standing Up to the Insurance Company
Helen A. was the passenger in a car that came upon a stranded motorist. The driver of Helen’s car did a U-turn to go back to help when she was broadsided by a drunk driver, causing serious injuries to Helen. The drunk driver’s insurance company didn’t want to pay, saying the driver of Helen’s car was at fault for making an illegal U-turn. Because Helen’s injuries were so severe, Denver car accident lawyer Dianne Sawaya went to work looking for more money. First she convinced the insurance company of the wisdom of paying Helen what she deserved. Then she took on the insurance company of the driver of Helen’s car. That insurance company didn’t want to pay either, saying the drunk driver was at fault. Dianne filed an underinsured motorist claim, which the insurance company fought tooth-and-nail to avoid paying anything. It didn’t work – but Dianne Sawaya’s sharp negotiating did.
Settlement: $200,000
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Colorado Workers’ Compensation Claim
Getting the Money You Deserve from the Work Comp System
Delander W. was working at his employer’s warehouse when an unsafe work area led to a wrenching knee injury. The injury was so serious it required knee surgery and replacement of part of Delander’s knee. The employer’s insurance company dug in its heels, said the injury wasn’t that bad and he’d be back to work soon. The insurer made an initial offer of only $10,000.
Dianne Sawaya’s work comp department took the case to mediation and in the lengthy hearing showed the judge that Delander would never work again in anything like the job he used to have. Instead, he’d have to settle for lower paying work and be hurt financially. The judge agreed and Delander got the money he deserved.
Settlement: $180,000
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Denver Car Accident
Aggressively Pursuing What You Deserve
Cianne D. was in an accident that caused extreme damage to her vehicle. It also caused major damage to her leg and led to surgery. Dianne Sawaya presented the insurance company with a demand for $100,000 on the policy’s underlying Bodily Injury provision. In less than one month, the insurer settled for the full amount. Dianne next turned to the Underinsured Motorist insurance and made a demand for another $100,000. This insurance company decided it wasn’t interested in paying a fair amount. That wasn’t good enough for Dianne, so she sued. They changed their mind.
Settlement: $175,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Sometimes It Takes Litigation
Herman B. was hurt in a T-bone crash by a speeding driver. At 83 years of age, Herman’s case was complicated by pre-existing medical conditions. But the at-fault driver’s insurance company went beyond that and said Herman’s injuries were pre-existing and therefore they wouldn’t pay. So Dianne Sawaya filed a lawsuit to make the insurer live up to its obligations. The insurer’s defense lawyers hammered Herman during the trial preparations, trying to wear him down and get him to accept a low settlement. When they realized that wouldn’t happen, they agreed to Dianne Sawaya’s reasonable settlement offer to avoid a jury trial.
Settlement: $150,000
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Colorado Work Comp
Not Over Till It’s Over
Geraldine M. worked in a liquor store. While moving beer from storage out to the front of the store, she twisted her knee sharply on a sticky carpet. Her knee hurt, but Geraldine was a hard worker and tried to take care of her injury on her own. Besides, her employer didn’t offer health insurance and she couldn’t afford to pay for a doctor visit. When the liquor store went out of business shortly after that, the large workers’ compensation insurer said Geraldine could see one of its doctors. Conservative treatment didn’t work, and the large insurer offered Geraldine $40,000 to settle her case. She hired Dianne Sawaya instead. Turns out when Geraldine had her work accident, it damaged her knee so badly that she had to have major surgery. The large insurer tried to get out of paying what it owed, and instead said Geraldine’s injury was due to arthritis. Dianne Sawaya didn’t buy it. After four months of representing Geraldine, Dianne got Geraldine what she deserved.
Settlement: $105,000
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Colorado Car Accident
Quick Legal Action Saved the Day
Benny L. was hurt when he was rear-ended by a careless driver. Because his health insurance paid most of his bills – but not the deductibles and co-pays – Benny didn’t think to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance. As time went by, though, Benny’s pain grew more constant. He came to Dianne Sawaya shortly before the time to make a claim would have expired. Dianne immediately filed a lawsuit to protect Benny’s rights, then went to work convincing the insurance company to do right by Benny. What started with a tiny settlement offer from the insurance company turned into a reasonable offer when Dianne was done negotiating.
Settlement: $100,000
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Denver Drunk Driver Accident
Smart Negotiating Means Win-Win
A drunk driver smashed into Jenna T.’s car. Jenna was banged up but wasn’t in serious pain – yet. Because it can take time for serious injuries to develop, Jenna didn’t get medical treatment for nearly three months. Almost a year later, she contacted Dianne Sawaya, and by now she was in constant pain. One of the specialist doctors in Dianne’s network diagnosed a herniated disk in Jenna’s neck, and said she would need expensive neurosurgery. The insurance company didn’t want to pay, and said Jenna could have been hurt some other way in the year since the accident. Dianne Sawaya arranged for surgery, gathered statements from witness testifying to Jenna’s pain and disability, and prepared the surgeon to testify about the cause of Jenna’s problems and the need for surgery. Dianne then convinced the insurance company it would be better to agree to a settlement than be sued and face a jury trial.
Settlement: $100,000
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Colorado Workers’ Compensation Injury
No Visa, No Options? Wrong.
Claudio B. was a Mexico citizen with an expired U.S. visa when he was hurt in a work accident. Claudio didn’t call an attorney after his injury. His employer’s work comp insurer said Claudio wasn’t hurt very badly. Claudio’s own doctor said his injuries were bad – bulging spinal disks in his neck and back. Claudio’s visa was expired, and he worried he couldn’t get workers’ compensation benefits because he wasn’t a citizen. He was afraid to object and draw attention to his status. But something didn’t seem right. So he didn’t cash the $35,000 check from the insurance company. Instead he called The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
But Claudio only had 10 days until the deadline to object would expire. He had also signed a paper saying he agreed that the settlement was final. Claudio’s Colorado workers’ compensation attorney assured him that he had rights and his immigration status didn’t keep him from getting work comp benefits. First the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya stopped the clock on the deadline. Then we got his settlement agreement canceled. Next we arranged for Claudio to see an independent doctor, who confirmed how serious his injuries were. With Dianne Sawaya’s help, instead of $35,000 Claudio get the settlement he was entitled to.
Settlement: $88,000
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Denver Car Accident
You Need Dianne Sawaya on Your Side
Claude H. was injured in a crash in downtown Denver, and thought he could handle his own insurance claim. He finished getting medical treatment and dealt with the insurance company himself. They fought him on the claim and offered only $6,800. He was frustrated and needed help, so he called Dianne Sawaya. Dianne calculated, compiled and developed the details of Claude’s extensive wage loss. She also put together a detailed report on Claude’s medical treatment and the medical care he would need in the future. Then she sat the insurance adjuster down and showed him the facts. The insurance company decided to raise its settlement offer.
Settlement: $75,000
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Denver Auto Accident
Nice Insurance Company? Hardly
Vincent J. is one of the nicest people you’ll ever find. A careless driver plowed into the driver’s side of his car and he was hurt badly. When the at-fault driver’s insurance company completely denied that their client was liable, Vincent was stunned. That’s not how nice people act. Of course, it is how insurance companies act when they don’t want to pay you what you deserve for your injuries. Vincent came to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya. It didn’t take long for the insurance company to realize they would have a serious fight on their hands if they didn’t do right by Vincent – so they did.
Settlement: $55,000
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Car Accident in Denver
Fighting for What’s Right
Settlement: $25,000 so far
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Colorado Worker’s Compensation
Large Employer Tries to Push Its Employee Around
Brian J. was in a work accident that led to a serious knee injury. Following the injury, Brian’s employer – a large corporation – played hardball and denied that it was to blame. The company’s work comp doctor gave him a 0% impairment of his knee, meaning the company’s work compensation insurer wouldn’t pay for his injuries. He was offered nothing in settlement and nothing in the way of a disability payment. That wouldn’t fly with Dianne Sawaya. She filed two claims, one for an injury and one for an occupational disease. After a hard-fought battle, Brian came away with a fair settlement for his injuries and suffering.
Settlement: $25,000
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Denver Auto Accident
Why You Need to Make the Right Decision
Janice D. had a nightmare experience. First she was injured when she slipped at a commercial building. Then only a few weeks later she was driving home from a football game when she was rear-ended on I-25 by a drunk driver and taken to the hospital in an ambulance. She first hired another personal injury attorney in Denver, but didn’t get the respect – or the results – she deserved. So Janice fired that attorney and make the right decision. She hired Dianne Sawaya. Even though at-fault party’s insurance adjuster at first refused to settle for even close to a fair amount, saying Janice’s injuries came from her slip-and-fall accident, Dianne made the adjuster see the light and Janice’s nightmare ended.
Settlement: $25,000
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Denver Auto Accident
Bumper Sticker Moment
Jessica L. was injured in a car accident and thought she could work things out with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. After a year of medical treatment she had racked up almost $10,000 in medical bills. During that same year she went back and forth with the insurance company and finally got a settlement offer from them of $4,300. Time to call Dianne Sawaya. Dianne and her team combed through police reports, medical records, witness statements and put together a demand letter that made it clear to the insurance company that they needed to do right by Jessica. With Dianne Sawaya on the case, they did just that. Jessica was so happy she asked for a Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya bumper sticker for her car.
Settlement: $20,000
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Denver Auto Accident
It Pays to Work With Dianne Sawaya
Paula M. was rear-ended and suffered a bad shoulder injury. The doctor said she would need surgery. She tried working with the insurance company on her own to settle her case. But the insurer offered her only $2,000 and told her that was the best she would ever get. Paula came to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya, but the insurance company still refused to pay Paula what she deserved. So Dianne sued the negligent at-fault driver and his insurance company. The insurer reconsidered its position and decided maybe Paula’s injuries and medical treatment were worth more after all.
Settlement: $20,000
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Colorado Slip-and-Fall
Why You Need the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya
Emma W. was injured on U.S. Postal Service property. After getting chiropractic care, the 82-year-old woman and her chiropractor filled out a federal form asking for reimbursement and sent it to the Postal Service. The U.S.P.S. sent Emma a check for a little over $7,000, enough to pay her medical bills. Dianne Sawaya met with Emma and advised her not to cash the check, knowing she could get Emma more money than that. Dianne returned the check to the government, along with a new demand letter outlining the extent of Emma’s injuries. The Postal Service agreed and sent a check that allowed Emma to keep $3,000 after all her medical bills and other expenses were paid.
Settlement: $17,500
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Colorado Car Accident
Health Insurer Tries to Play Hardball, Strikes Out
Sabrina B. was severely hurt by a hit-and-run driver and spent a lot of time in a wheelchair while being treated for her injuries. When she was finally better, Sabrina was told by her health insurance company that because of a federal law called ERISA, she would owe them as much as $340,000 from any insurance settlement. She first went to another big personal injury firm, where they told her that she had to pay the money back. That’s when Sabrina decided it was time for Dianne Sawaya to help her. Dianne dug deep into the matter and determined the health insurer wasn’t entitled to any of Sabrina’s settlement. The health insurer didn’t like it, but had to agree. Sabrina got to keep her money.
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Colorado Personal Injury
Insurance Companies Behaving Badly
Larry R. was hurt by a negligent driver in a motorcycle accident. Shortly after being treated in the emergency room, the at-fault party’s insurance company sent Larry a check for $1,000. Larry remembered our TV commercial, in which I talked about the “small little check” trick insurance companies are trying these days. He called us. Our Denver auto accident attorneys reviewed his medical records and the details of his accident. His case was worth far more than $1,000 – and Larry became our client. Insurance companies will stoop to anything to avoid paying claims. If you’re hurt in an accident and an insurance company says they’ll take care of you and here’s what your case is worth, run – don’t walk – to the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya.
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Denver Auto Accident
Finding Extra Money for the Client
Fifteen-year-old Sidney L. was in a car driven by his friend’s father when the father had a seizure and lost control. Sidney was badly hurt when the car rolled and crashed into a pole. He received surgery for a broken back and broken ankle, was treated for a dislocated shoulder and was restricted to a wheelchair for months after the accident. The auto insurance company offered Sidney all the money available under the policy, but his medical bills were far more than the insurance money available. On top of that, under a practice called subrogation, the health insurance company that paid Sidney’s medical bills asked for all of Sidney’s settlement money so it could get back what it had spent on his treatment. Dianne Sawaya didn’t that that was right. Because of her experience with the complex laws involved, she got the health insurance company to agree not to take any of Sidney’s money – and even agree to pay for the medical treatment he will need for years to come.
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Colorado Workers’ Compensation
A Long Reach for Compensation
Calinda L. was sitting in her office when a car lost control and came through the glass windows and hit her desk, just missing Calinda. She was cut in several places from flying glass and was badly shaken up. Worse, she suffered back pain and spasms, neck pain, headaches, anxiety and nightmares. Shortly after the accident, Calinda received some medical care and then moved to another state. The work comp insurance company offered $500 to Calinda. The Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya told them that wouldn’t do. We got a doctor, chiropractor and psychologist authorized in Calinda’s new state and approved through Colorado work comp to provide additional treatment. By putting Dianne Sawaya’s office to work fighting for her rights, Calinda settled her case for $6,750 – instead of $500.
Settlement: More than 13 times the first offer
