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.

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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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 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 Semi-Truck Accident

Standing Up to the Insurance Company

Sarah K. was hit by a semi-truck near Greeley. She contacted Dianne Sawaya because of shooting pain in her neck that would barely let her move. The truck driver’s insurance company said the pain was from some other incident, offered a paltry sum and wouldn’t budge. Dianne suggested they take the matter to a neutral judge to mediate the case. Dianne then worked with medical specialists in pain and neurosurgery, who prepared reports stating clearly that the semi accident caused the need for expensive neck surgery. Sharp negotiating by Dianne convinced the insurer to offer $45,000 now and $55,000 after Sarah receives the surgery.

Settlement: $100,000

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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 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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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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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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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

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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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 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: $1.2 million

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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 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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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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