Colorado Serious Personal Injury Attorneys

Though not used everyday, most people have heard the term "personal injury." The term refers to harm done to a person, or an injury that results from the negligence of another. At Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC, we know from experience that these acts of negligence arise from as many varied circumstances as there are human endeavors. We also know how devastating it may be to be the victim of such negligence, particularly when a serious injury threatens every aspect of daily life. If you have sustained a serious personal injury, contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Serious personal injuries may include traumatic amputation or partial-amputation of limbs, "degloving" accidents, severe burns, traumatic brain injuries, severe orthopedic injuries or internal organ injuries. We have experience in each of these types of injuries and we are committed to understanding the medical issues involved in any injury-related claim, no matter how complex the injury. We also have extensive experience with a dedicated team of experts who understand the log-term implications of such injuries. Together we can help assess appropriate value for such losses and future expenses, and seek compensation.

When you or a family member suffers a serious injury, you need a Colorado attorney with experience regarding all the legal issues involved with the accident. Questions of liability - who may be responsible for the injury - will be determined by Colorado law, as will questions of insurance coverage. You also need a Colorado attorney who has experience with compensation claims for the pain, suffering, permanent injury, lost wages, medical expenses and future expenses involved. We have over 70 years of combined experience proving liability and damages for our clients.

But at Chalat Hatten & Koupal, our experience does not just extend to familiarity with Colorado law - we also know Colorado courtrooms and juries. We fight for every client, and if the fight must be decided in trial, unlike many personal injury firms who settle all case, we're ready to take it there. Our success stories show a track record of millions of dollars in jury verdicts.

At Chalat Hatten & Koupal we know how to successfully pursue a serious personal injury claim to gain fair compensation for our clients. Contact an experienced and dedicated attorney at our firm to further discuss the ways in which we may be able to handle your case.

Defective Tube Run Results in Paraplegia

Client went snow tubing in Colorado on a commercial run. Due to faulty design, the snow-tubing hill did not have sufficient length at the end of the run to allow the tubes to come to a safe stop. Instead, the run had a sharp turn at the end. Client's tube was moving too fast to make the turn, and the tube went airborne, flipping client out of the tube. Client's head hit the icy wall of the turn, causing Client to suffer a catastrophic neck injury resulting in paraplegia. The case was resolved for a confidential amount.

Defective Design Results in Traumatic Amputation of Arm

J.R., a 27-year-old lift mechanic at a Colorado ski resort, suffered the traumatic amputation of his right arm while working. The basis of the claim was strict liability for manufacturing defect and design defects in the conveyor-type ski lift manufactured by the defendant Magic Carpet Ski Lifts, Inc. The precise nature of the manufacturing defect was an in-running nip point created by the improper rotation of a brush under the conveyor, into which J.R.'s right arm was drawn while working on the lift.

On the day of the accident, Copper was getting one of its best snowfalls of the year. The area was busy. A class of beginners was anxiously awaiting the opening of the Easy Rider, after lunch. J.R. had been assigned the Easy Rider, and was cleaning snow off the lift and out from under it. As was the practice with other mechanics, the lift was run to mechanically sweep snow off the belt. As the snow accumulated in the headset, J.R. would shovel it out. He then went to adjust the position of the heater with the lift running, reaching in to position it under the snow deposit. His arm was then drawn into the in-running nip point formed by the brush and the belt. He was trapped, he was alone, he was being murdered by the machine. He was able to reach his radio and attract help; other mechanics responded and turned off the machine. His right arm was degloved and later amputated just below the elbow.

The lift was constructed so as to allow the snowbrush to rotate either opposite to the conveyor belt, or in the same direction as the travel of the belt. The wiring of the conveyor motor determined the direction of rotation, and this design created a unique manufacturing defect in the Easy Rider. If the design had required that the brush be wired to rotate in the opposite direction, throwing snow uphill, J.R. simply would not have had his arm drawn in between the belt and brush.

At the time of trial, J.R. had incurred $189,201.90 in past medical bills. His income losses and future medical losses totaled an additional $778,200.00. During the trial, the parties reached a confidential settlement.

Near-Amputation of Hand by Faulty Lab Equipment

This case involved a settlement for a 32-year-old lab technician who suffered a fractured wrist and severed tendon when an animal cage cleaner lift fell on her dominant hand, requiring surgery and resulting in a 9% whole body impairment rating.

The suit against the machine manufacturer alleged that the washer was defective because (1) an unguarded pinch point existed between the lift and the front of the machine, (2) the lift could drop uncontrollably under certain conditions and (3) no interlocking mechanism was installed on the door to prevent users from opening it when the lift was not in a secure position.

The plaintiff's employer, the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, joined the suit to recover for medical benefits and worker's compensation benefits paid to the plaintiff. and for the cost of the cage washer, claiming that the unit was so unsafe as to be unusable.

MTP Custom Machines, a New York manufacturer of industrial and laboratory wash equipment, settled with all parties for $325,000.00.

Contact a lawyer at Chalat Hatten & Koupal PC today.

We provide full legal services to our clients with extensive experience in the following:

Burns & Explosions
Electrocution Cases
Legal Malpractice
Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence
Premises Liability
Product Liability / Defective Products
Recreational Accidents
Ski Accidents
Spinal Cord Injuries
Wrongful Death

"Past results are no guarantee of future results."