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KYLE BACHUS: BIOGRAPHY

As a junior in high school, Kyle attended a Florida state legislation day for Florida high school students. As part of the day’s activities, he was selected to argue a predetermined topic in front of a panel of licensed lawyers sitting on a mock supreme court. He was provided with appropriate documentation, and tasked with researching and preparing his argument. Selected as one of the best presenters of the day statewide, he was both surprised and inspired.

Once he decided on a career in law, there was no stopping him. The determination his opponents see in the courtroom today was nurtured in college, where he dedicated himself to excelling. Once he graduated with his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Florida College of Law, he began work the Monday after graduation in a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm, a natural fit for a man who had always identified with the underdog.

Kyle moved to Colorado in 1994 and joined a Denver personal injury law firm. Two years later, Kyle and fellow lawyer Darin Schanker opened Bachus & Schanker, LLC with little more than a tiny, rented office and a lot of determination. Starting with less than $15,000, their business has grown into one of the largest, most well respected personal injury firms in the region. The partners are committed to understanding the circumstances confronting their clients, and ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable for damages they have caused.

COLORADO’S MOST TRUSTED LAW FIRM

The firm continues to focus on personal injury law but over the years the practice has expanded its practice groups, which now include national plaintiff’s litigation addressing a variety of Defective Medical Devices, Products and Dangerous Drugs, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability and Wage and Hour class action work along with all other forms of plaintiff’s employment law.

Over the years, Kyle has achieved justice for many clients. But helping one of the emergency medical responders who suffered disabling injuries in the 9/11 attacks is one of the most inspiring wins. Kyle was one of just two Colorado attorneys traveling at their own expense to provide pro bono legal services to 911 victims and their families through the national Trial Lawyers Care program.

He also is proud of the state and national legislation he has worked on to protect Colorado consumers. Kyle intuited early on that the best way to fight injustice is to understand the rules and legal principles that govern our society. Because of this deep understanding, he has been able to help change state laws to benefit all Colorado residents.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN COLORADO

Kyle participated heavily in drafting and seeking passage of Colorado House Bill 10-1168, also known as the Make Whole bill, which was signed into law in May 2010. This bill protects injury victims from having to reimburse many health insurance plans for medical costs out of injury settlements before being fully compensated. The law applies to victims who where not at fault, and who were injured by the act or negligence of a third party. The Make Whole doctrine requires that the injured party is first fully compensated or “made whole” before the health insurance company may seek subrogation or reimbursement.

Additionally, Kyle was instrumental in the drafting and passage of an important amendment to Colorado’s Uninsured Motorist Statute, Colorado Revised Statute 10-4-609, which became effective Jan. 1, 2008. The amendment initially drafted by Kyle significantly impacts important “safety net” insurance coverage that is available when injured by an uninsured or under-insured driver. The Amendment closes insurance company loopholes that prevented consumers from receiving the full benefits they thought they were buying when purchasing UM/UIM coverage in Colorado. Every UM/UIM automobile insurance policy issued or renewed in Colorado on or after Jan. 1, 2008 is affected by this very important change.

Active in a number of professional organizations, Kyle is a highly rated in industry publications by both peers and those he has represented. He is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer in the legal industry.

In 2005, Kyle was appointed to serve as the co-chair of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Auto Litigation Committee, a position he continues to hold. He has also been named by the national legal publication Lawdragon as one of “The Top 500 Leading Personal Injury Lawyers in America.” In addition, since its inception in 2007, Kyle has been named every year to the list of Colorado Super Lawyer as well as to the list of “Colorado’s Top Lawyers” in the field of plaintiff’s personal injury law. In 2013, Kyle led the Bachus & Schanker, LLC trial team that achieved the largest personal injury verdict in the State of Colorado in 2013. Additionally, Law Week named Kyle the Top Class Action Lawyer in Colorado in 2014.

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