Colorado Medical Malpractice Settlement Calculator
Estimate what a Colorado medical malpractice claim might be worth. For acts or omissions in 2026, Colorado caps TOTAL damages at $1,012,500, of which non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages may not exceed $530,000 ($810,000 in a wrongful-death claim). A court may award extra economic damages above the total for good cause. This is an estimate to understand the factors — not a prediction or an offer.
A rough estimate, not a prediction or an offer.
Medical malpractice is one of the hardest claims to prove and value. This shows how Colorado's damage cap and fault rule shape a rough range — actual outcomes depend on expert proof of the standard of care, the facts, and negotiation. Consult a Colorado medical-malpractice attorney about your case.
Colorado damage cap
For acts or omissions in 2026, Colorado caps TOTAL damages at $1,012,500, of which non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages may not exceed $530,000 ($810,000 in a wrongful-death claim). A court may award extra economic damages above the total for good cause.
Enter the medical bills and losses to see an estimated range
This estimator applies the multiplier method to your medical bills, then Colorado's medical-malpractice damage cap and comparative-fault rule. It does not assess whether the provider actually breached the standard of care, which is the core of any med-mal case and requires expert testimony. Most states also require a pre-suit affidavit/certificate of merit and have a short, strict filing deadline. This is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm.
Colorado's Medical Malpractice Damage Cap
For acts or omissions in 2026, Colorado caps TOTAL damages at $1,012,500, of which non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages may not exceed $530,000 ($810,000 in a wrongful-death claim). A court may award extra economic damages above the total for good cause.
Colorado caps medical malpractice damages under C.R.S. § 13-64-302, as amended by HB24-1472 (signed 2024). Two limits work together, and both are keyed to the date of the act or omission. (1) TOTAL cap: § 13-64-302(1)(b) limits all damages for a course of care, for all defendants, to the GREATER of $1,000,000 or 125% of the non-economic limitation in C.R.S. § 13-21-203(1)(b) in effect when the act or omission occurred, present value per patient. The § 13-21-203(1)(b) wrongful-death figure is $810,000 for acts or omissions on or after Jan. 1, 2026 and before Jan. 1, 2027, so the total cap for 2026 acts is $1,012,500. The court may award additional past and future ECONOMIC damages above the total cap on good cause shown where applying the cap would be unfair. (2) NON-ECONOMIC sub-limit: within that total, non-economic damages are limited to $530,000 for acts or omissions on or after Jan. 1, 2026 and before Jan. 1, 2027 (§ 13-64-302(1)(c)(I)(C)), rising to $645,000 (2027), $760,000 (2028) and $875,000 (2029), then adjusted for Denver-area CPI every two years from 2030 (certified by the Secretary of State). In a wrongful-death claim against a health-care professional or institution, § 13-21-203(1)(b) substitutes a higher non-economic limit of $810,000 for 2026 acts, rising to $1,065,000 (2027), $1,320,000 (2028) and $1,575,000 (2029). This calculator uses the 2026 figures; for an act or omission in 2025 the figures were $415,000 non-economic / $555,000 wrongful death / $1,000,000 total, and for acts on or after Jan. 1, 2027 they will be higher. The caps do not apply to public-entity providers under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act.
Source: C.R.S. § 13-64-302 and § 13-21-203(1)(b) (as amended by HB24-1472, 2024).
Deadline to File a Colorado Malpractice Claim
Colorado generally requires a medical-malpractice lawsuit to be filed within 2 years (the statute of limitations). C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5: 2 years from discovery, with an absolute 3-year statute of repose (extendable in cases of concealment, foreign objects, or after-discovered injury). Minors under 6 get extended tolling. Miss the deadline and the claim is usually barred no matter how strong it is, so do not wait to talk to an attorney.
How the Estimate Works
No tool can predict a malpractice settlement. This estimator adds your economic damages (medical bills and lost wages, which are generally not capped), estimates pain and suffering with the multiplier method, then applies Colorado's damage cap and comparative-fault rule. The hard part of any malpractice case — proving the provider breached the standard of care — is assumed here and must be established with expert testimony. Use the pain and suffering calculator to explore the non-economic piece, or read about what different injuries are worth. For the full rules behind these numbers, see our guide to Colorado medical malpractice laws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Colorado cap medical malpractice damages?
For acts or omissions in 2026, Colorado caps TOTAL damages at $1,012,500, of which non-economic (pain-and-suffering) damages may not exceed $530,000 ($810,000 in a wrongful-death claim). A court may award extra economic damages above the total for good cause.
How much is a Colorado malpractice case worth?
No one can tell you a number in advance. A rough estimate adds your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and a pain-and-suffering multiplier, then applies Colorado's damage cap and fault rule. The real value depends on proving the standard of care was breached, the facts, and negotiation — an attorney is the only way to value your specific case.
How long do I have to file in Colorado?
Generally 2 years. C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5: 2 years from discovery, with an absolute 3-year statute of repose (extendable in cases of concealment, foreign objects, or after-discovered injury). Minors under 6 get extended tolling.
Are economic damages capped?
In most cap states, no — caps usually apply only to non-economic (pain and suffering) damages, while medical bills and lost wages are recovered in full. A few states (like Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Virginia) cap total damages instead.
Is this calculator accurate?
It is a rough estimate to show the factors that drive value, especially the cap — not a prediction or an offer. Real malpractice settlements vary enormously and depend on expert proof. Treat any number here as a ballpark and consult a Colorado malpractice attorney.
Disclaimer
This estimator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice or a prediction of any outcome. RecordingLaw.com is not a law firm. Medical-malpractice law, including damage caps, changes frequently and caps are often litigated; figures are current as of 2026-09-26. The value of a malpractice claim can only be assessed by a licensed attorney reviewing your specific facts and the medical record.