PERSONAL INJURY DEMAND LETTER

STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
FOR SETTLEMENT PURPOSES ONLY – NOT ADMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO N.D.R.Ev. 408

SENDER INFORMATION

Law Firm/Attorney: [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]

City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Fax: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

State Bar Number: [________________________________]

RECIPIENT INFORMATION

Date: [__/__/____]

Insurance Company: [________________________________]

Claims Department Address: [________________________________]

City, State, ZIP: [________________________________]

Adjuster Name: [________________________________]

Claim Number: [________________________________]

Policy Number: [________________________________]

Insured Name: [________________________________]

Date of Loss: [__/__/____]

I. INTRODUCTION AND REPRESENTATION

This firm represents [Client Full Name] ("Claimant") for personal injuries and damages arising from the incident that occurred on [__/__/____] in [City/Township], [County] County, North Dakota.

This demand letter constitutes a formal settlement demand pursuant to the applicable insurance policy issued by your company to your insured, [Insured Name]. We have completed our investigation and medical treatment has concluded, enabling us to present a comprehensive evaluation of damages.

Claimant Information:
- Full Legal Name: [________________________________]
- Date of Birth: [__/__/____]
- Address at Time of Incident: [________________________________]
- Current Address: [________________________________]
- Social Security Number (Last 4): [____]
- Occupation: [________________________________]
- Employer: [________________________________]

II. STATEMENT OF FACTS AND LIABILITY ANALYSIS

A. Incident Summary

On [__/__/____], at approximately [____] [a.m./p.m.], [describe incident in detail]:

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Location: [________________________________]

Weather Conditions: [________________________________]

Road/Surface Conditions: [________________________________]

Visibility: [________________________________]

B. Parties Involved

Claimant:
[________________________________]

Defendant/Tortfeasor:
- Name: [________________________________]
- Address: [________________________________]
- Vehicle (if applicable): [____] [Make] [Model], VIN: [________________________________]
- License Plate: [________________________________]
- Driver's License Number: [________________________________]

C. Liability Analysis

Your insured is liable for Claimant's injuries and damages based on the following:

Primary Theories of Negligence:

☐ Failure to maintain proper lookout
☐ Failure to yield right-of-way
☐ Following too closely (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-10-18)
☐ Excessive speed for conditions (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-09-01)
☐ Violation of traffic control device (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-10-04)
☐ Distracted driving
☐ Impaired driving (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-08-01)
☐ Failure to maintain premises in safe condition
☐ Negligent hiring/supervision/retention
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Specific Acts of Negligence:

1. [________________________________]
2. [________________________________]
3. [________________________________]
4. [________________________________]

D. Supporting Evidence of Liability

☐ Police/Incident Report No.: [________________________________]
☐ Traffic Citation(s) Issued: [________________________________]
☐ Witness Statement(s) from: [________________________________]
☐ Photographs/Video Evidence
☐ Surveillance Footage
☐ Expert Accident Reconstruction Report
☐ Vehicle Download/Black Box Data
☐ Cell Phone Records (distraction evidence)
☐ Other: [________________________________]

III. NORTH DAKOTA COMPARATIVE FAULT ANALYSIS

A. Modified Comparative Fault Rule (N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-02)

North Dakota follows the modified comparative fault doctrine. Under N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-02:

"Contributory fault does not bar recovery in an action by any person to recover damages for death or injury to person or property unless the fault was as great as the combined fault of all other persons who contribute to the injury."

Critical Threshold: A claimant is completely barred from recovery if found to be 50% or more at fault. If the claimant is less than 50% at fault, recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.

B. Fault Allocation Assessment

Based on our investigation:

Basis for Fault Assessment:

[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Comparative Fault Defenses Addressed

We anticipate and reject the following potential comparative fault defenses:

Anticipated Defense 1: [________________________________]
Our Response: [________________________________]

Anticipated Defense 2: [________________________________]
Our Response: [________________________________]

IV. NO-FAULT INSURANCE THRESHOLD ANALYSIS (MOTOR VEHICLE CASES)

A. North Dakota No-Fault System (N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 26.1-41)

North Dakota is a no-fault insurance state. To pursue a tort claim against the at-fault driver beyond PIP benefits, the claimant must satisfy one of the following thresholds:

☐ Medical Expense Threshold: Total necessary medical expenses exceed $2,500
☐ Serious Injury Threshold: Claimant suffered "serious and permanent disfigurement or disability" lasting more than 60 days
☐ Economic Loss Excess: Economic losses exceed PIP coverage limits

B. Threshold Satisfaction

This claim satisfies the tort threshold because:

☐ Medical expenses total $[________________________________], exceeding the $2,500 threshold
☐ Claimant sustained serious and permanent disfigurement consisting of: [________________________________]
☐ Claimant sustained disability lasting more than 60 days, specifically: [________________________________]
☐ Economic losses exceed PIP limits of $[________________________________]

C. PIP Benefits Exhausted/Applied

PIP Carrier: [________________________________]
PIP Policy Number: [________________________________]
PIP Benefits Paid: $[________________________________]
PIP Benefits Remaining: $[________________________________]

V. MEDICAL TREATMENT CHRONOLOGY

A. Emergency/Initial Treatment

Date: [__/__/____]

Facility: [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]

Treating Provider(s): [________________________________]

Chief Complaints:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Initial Diagnoses (ICD-10 Codes):
- [________________________________] ([____])
- [________________________________] ([____])
- [________________________________] ([____])

Treatment Rendered:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Disposition: ☐ Discharged ☐ Admitted ☐ Transferred

Charges: $[________________________________]

B. Hospitalization (If Applicable)

Facility: [________________________________]

Admission Date: [__/__/____]

Discharge Date: [__/__/____]

Length of Stay: [____] days

Attending Physician(s): [________________________________]

Procedures Performed:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Hospitalization Charges: $[________________________________]

C. Surgical Intervention (If Applicable)

Date of Surgery: [__/__/____]

Surgical Facility: [________________________________]

Surgeon: [________________________________]

Procedure(s) (CPT Codes):
- [________________________________] ([____])
- [________________________________] ([____])

Anesthesia Provider: [________________________________]

Surgical Charges: $[________________________________]

Anesthesia Charges: $[________________________________]

D. Specialist Consultations

Specialist 1:

Specialty: [________________________________]
Provider Name: [________________________________]
Facility/Practice: [________________________________]
Dates of Treatment: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]
Number of Visits: [____]
Diagnoses: [________________________________]
Treatment Plan: [________________________________]
Charges: $[________________________________]

Specialist 2:

Specialty: [________________________________]
Provider Name: [________________________________]
Facility/Practice: [________________________________]
Dates of Treatment: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]
Number of Visits: [____]
Diagnoses: [________________________________]
Treatment Plan: [________________________________]
Charges: $[________________________________]

E. Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation

Facility: [________________________________]

Treating Therapist(s): [________________________________]

Dates of Treatment: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]

Total Number of Sessions: [____]

Frequency: [____] times per week

Treatment Modalities:
☐ Manual therapy
☐ Therapeutic exercise
☐ Electrical stimulation
☐ Ultrasound
☐ Heat/cold therapy
☐ Aquatic therapy
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Discharge Status:
☐ Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) reached
☐ Ongoing treatment recommended
☐ Home exercise program prescribed

Physical Therapy Charges: $[________________________________]

F. Diagnostic Studies

G. Primary Care/Follow-Up Treatment

Provider: [________________________________]

Facility: [________________________________]

Dates of Treatment: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]

Number of Visits: [____]

Treatment Summary: [________________________________]

Charges: $[________________________________]

H. Prescription Medications

Total Prescription Costs: $[________________________________]

I. Durable Medical Equipment

Total DME Costs: $[________________________________]

J. Current Medical Status and Prognosis

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) Date: [__/__/____]

Permanent Impairment Rating: [____]% whole person (if applicable)

Treating Physician's Prognosis:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Permanent Restrictions/Limitations:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Future Medical Treatment Anticipated:
☐ None expected
☐ Ongoing maintenance care: [________________________________]
☐ Future surgery recommended: [________________________________]
☐ Lifetime medication: [________________________________]
☐ Future diagnostic monitoring: [________________________________]

VI. SPECIAL DAMAGES CALCULATION (ECONOMIC DAMAGES)

Under N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-04, economic damages include objectively verifiable monetary losses.

A. Medical Expenses (Past)

TOTAL PAST MEDICAL EXPENSES: $[________________________________]

B. Future Medical Expenses (If Applicable)

TOTAL FUTURE MEDICAL EXPENSES: $[________________________________]

(Supported by treating physician opinion/life care plan, if applicable)

C. Lost Wages and Income (Past)

Employer: [________________________________]

Position/Title: [________________________________]

Employment Start Date: [__/__/____]

Hourly Rate/Salary: $[________________________________] per [hour/week/month/year]

Average Weekly Earnings: $[________________________________]

Period of Disability:
- Total Disability: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____] ([____] days)
- Partial Disability: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____] ([____] days at [____]% capacity)

Calculation:
| Period | Rate | Duration | Subtotal |
|--------|------|----------|----------|
| Total Disability | $[____]/day | [____] days | $[____] |
| Partial Disability | $[____]/day × [____]% | [____] days | $[____] |

TOTAL PAST LOST WAGES: $[________________________________]

(Supported by employer verification letter and pay stubs)

D. Loss of Earning Capacity (Future)

Basis for Claim:
☐ Permanent impairment prevents return to prior occupation
☐ Reduced capacity requiring job modification
☐ Vocational expert opinion attached

Pre-Injury Earning Capacity: $[________________________________] annually

Post-Injury Earning Capacity: $[________________________________] annually

Differential: $[________________________________] annually

Work Life Expectancy: [____] years

Present Value Calculation (Discount Rate: [____]%): $[________________________________]

TOTAL FUTURE LOST EARNING CAPACITY: $[________________________________]

(Supported by vocational rehabilitation expert report and/or economist analysis)

E. Household Services

Period of Incapacity: [__/__/____] through [__/__/____]

Services Required:
☐ Housekeeping
☐ Yard maintenance
☐ Child care assistance
☐ Meal preparation
☐ Transportation
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Method of Calculation:
☐ Actual cost of hired replacement services: $[________________________________]
☐ Fair market value of services × hours: [____] hours × $[____]/hour = $[________________________________]

TOTAL HOUSEHOLD SERVICES: $[________________________________]

F. Property Damage (If Applicable)

Vehicle: [____] [Make] [Model] [VIN]

Pre-Accident Fair Market Value: $[________________________________]

Repair Estimate/Actual Repairs: $[________________________________]

Total Loss Value: $[________________________________]

Rental Vehicle Costs: $[________________________________] ([____] days × $[____]/day)

Personal Property Damaged/Destroyed:
| Item | Description | Value |
|------|-------------|-------|
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | $[____] |
| [________________________________] | [________________________________] | $[____] |

TOTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE: $[________________________________]

G. Out-of-Pocket Expenses

TOTAL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES: $[________________________________]

H. TOTAL ECONOMIC DAMAGES SUMMARY

VII. GENERAL DAMAGES DISCUSSION (NONECONOMIC DAMAGES)

Under N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-04, noneconomic damages compensate for subjective, non-monetary losses.

A. Pain and Suffering

Nature of Pain Experienced:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Duration of Acute Pain: [________________________________]

Chronic/Ongoing Pain: [________________________________]

Pain Management Required:
☐ Prescription pain medication
☐ Pain management injections
☐ TENS unit
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Impact on Daily Activities:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

B. Mental and Emotional Distress

Psychological Impact:
☐ Anxiety
☐ Depression
☐ Post-traumatic stress
☐ Sleep disturbance
☐ Fear of [________________________________]
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Treatment Received:
☐ Psychiatric evaluation
☐ Psychological counseling
☐ Medication prescribed: [________________________________]

Mental Health Provider: [________________________________]

Number of Sessions: [____]

Ongoing Impact:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Physical Impairment and Loss of Function

Permanent Impairments:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Functional Limitations:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Activities No Longer Possible:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

D. Disfigurement and Scarring

Location(s): [________________________________]

Size/Dimensions: [________________________________]

Visibility: ☐ Highly visible ☐ Visible with normal clothing ☐ Concealed

Permanence: ☐ Permanent ☐ May improve with treatment

Corrective Treatment Available: [________________________________]

E. Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Pre-Injury Activities/Hobbies Affected:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

Social/Recreational Limitations:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Impact on Family Relationships:
[________________________________]

F. Loss of Consortium (Spouse's Claim, If Applicable)

Spouse Name: [________________________________]

Impact on Marital Relationship:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Loss of Services, Society, and Companionship:
[________________________________]

G. Noneconomic Damages Calculation

Method Used:
☐ Multiplier Method: Economic damages ($[____]) × [____] multiplier = $[________________________________]
☐ Per Diem Method: $[____]/day × [____] days = $[________________________________]
☐ Comparable Verdict Analysis: [________________________________]

Factors Supporting Higher Valuation:
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]
- [________________________________]

VIII. NORTH DAKOTA NONECONOMIC DAMAGES CAP

A. Medical Malpractice Cases (N.D. Cent. Code § 32-42-02)

IMPORTANT: For medical malpractice claims, North Dakota caps noneconomic damages at $500,000, regardless of the number of defendants or claims.

☐ This claim involves medical malpractice and is subject to the $500,000 cap
☐ This claim does not involve medical malpractice

B. General Personal Injury Cases

For general personal injury cases (not involving medical malpractice or government defendants), North Dakota does not impose a statutory cap on noneconomic damages. The jury has discretion to award fair compensation for pain, suffering, and other noneconomic losses.

C. Claims Against Government Entities

For claims under the State Tort Claims Act (N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 32-12.2), total damages are capped:

Effective July 1, 2025: $468,750 per person / $1,875,000 per occurrence
Effective July 1, 2026: $500,000 per person / $2,000,000 per occurrence

☐ This claim involves a government entity and is subject to sovereign immunity caps
☐ This claim is against a private party

IX. COLLATERAL SOURCE CONSIDERATIONS

A. North Dakota Collateral Source Rule (N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-06)

North Dakota has modified the traditional collateral source rule. Under § 32-03.2-06, after an award of economic damages, the defendant may apply to the court for a reduction of economic damages to the extent such losses are covered by collateral source payments.

Exceptions (Not Subject to Reduction):
- Life insurance
- Death or retirement benefits
- Insurance purchased by the claimant
- Benefits with subrogation rights

B. Collateral Sources in This Case

Total Subrogation/Lien Obligations: $[________________________________]

X. EXEMPLARY DAMAGES CONSIDERATION (N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-11)

A. Availability of Exemplary Damages

Under N.D. Cent. Code § 32-03.2-11, exemplary (punitive) damages may be awarded when the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or actual malice proven by clear and convincing evidence.

B. Application to This Case

☐ Exemplary damages are NOT sought in this claim

☐ Exemplary damages ARE sought based on:

Conduct Supporting Exemplary Damages:
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

Standard: Clear and convincing evidence required

Statutory Cap: The greater of:
- Two times compensatory damages, OR
- $250,000

Calculation:
- Compensatory Damages: $[________________________________]
- Maximum Exemplary Damages: $[________________________________]

XI. TOTAL DAMAGES SUMMARY

XII. SETTLEMENT DEMAND

A. Policy Limits Demand

Based on the severity of Claimant's injuries and the strength of liability, we hereby demand:

PRIMARY DEMAND: Payment of the full policy limits of $[________________________________] within thirty (30) days of the date of this letter.

B. Alternative Settlement Demand

In the alternative, if policy limits are insufficient or unavailable, we demand the sum of:

$[________________________________]

This amount represents fair compensation for Claimant's injuries and damages, accounting for:
- The clear liability of your insured
- The severity and permanence of Claimant's injuries
- The substantial economic losses incurred
- The significant noneconomic damages sustained
- Similar verdicts in North Dakota personal injury cases

C. Terms and Conditions

This demand is contingent upon the following:

1. Full Release: Payment will be in exchange for a full release of your insured only. Claimant reserves all rights against any other potentially liable parties.

2. Policy Limits Confirmation: Please confirm in writing the applicable policy limits, including:
   - Bodily injury liability limits
   - Umbrella/excess coverage
   - Any policy exclusions or coverage disputes

3. Response Deadline: This demand will remain open for thirty (30) days from the date of this letter, expiring on [__/__/____].

4. Bad Faith Consideration: Failure to respond in good faith to a reasonable settlement demand within policy limits may expose your insured to personal liability for any excess judgment and may subject your company to a bad faith claim.

D. Reservation of Rights

Claimant reserves the right to:
- Amend this demand based on additional information
- Pursue all available legal remedies if settlement is not reached
- Seek exemplary damages if warranted
- Add claims for bad faith if appropriate

XIII. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS NOTICE

A. Applicable Limitation Periods

General Personal Injury (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-16):
Six (6) years from date of injury

Date of Loss: [__/__/____]

Statute Expires: [__/__/____]

B. Special Limitation Periods

☐ Medical Malpractice: Two (2) years from discovery (up to six years if fraud)
☐ Wrongful Death: Two (2) years from date of death
☐ Claims Against Government: Three (3) years from discovery

Applicable Special Limitation: [________________________________]

XIV. RESPONSE REQUESTED

Please provide the following within fourteen (14) days:

☐ Written acknowledgment of receipt of this demand
☐ Confirmation of policy limits (BI and umbrella/excess)
☐ Confirmation of coverage and any reservations of rights
☐ Identity of assigned defense counsel (if applicable)
☐ Settlement authority and response to demand

XV. DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST

The following documents are enclosed or available upon request:

A. Liability Documentation

☐ Police/Incident Report
☐ Photographs of accident scene
☐ Photographs of vehicle damage
☐ Witness statements
☐ Traffic citation(s)
☐ Accident reconstruction report
☐ Weather reports
☐ Surveillance/dashcam footage

B. Medical Documentation

☐ Emergency room records
☐ Hospital admission/discharge summary
☐ Operative reports
☐ Diagnostic imaging reports and films
☐ Physical therapy records
☐ Specialist consultation notes
☐ Primary care records
☐ Prescription records
☐ DME receipts
☐ Medical bills (itemized)
☐ Proof of payment/explanation of benefits
☐ Treating physician narrative report
☐ Permanent impairment rating
☐ Life care plan (if applicable)

C. Damages Documentation

☐ Employer verification of wages/lost time
☐ Pay stubs/W-2s/tax returns
☐ Self-employment income documentation
☐ Vocational expert report
☐ Economist report
☐ Property damage estimate/repair invoice
☐ Rental car receipts
☐ Mileage log for medical appointments
☐ Out-of-pocket expense receipts
☐ Photographs of injuries (with consent)

D. Insurance Documentation

☐ Declaration page (claimant's policy)
☐ PIP application and payments
☐ Health insurance EOBs
☐ Subrogation/lien letters

XVI. NORTH DAKOTA PRACTICE NOTES

A. Venue and Jurisdiction

• Proper Venue: County where cause of action arose, where defendant resides, or where plaintiff resides if defendant is non-resident (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-04-05)
• Personal Jurisdiction: Long-arm statute (N.D. Cent. Code § 28-03.1-04)

B. Pre-Suit Requirements

• No mandatory pre-suit notice for claims against private parties
• Government claims require compliance with State Tort Claims Act notice provisions
• Medical malpractice requires expert affidavit with complaint

C. Discovery Considerations

• North Dakota follows liberal discovery rules similar to Federal Rules
• Independent medical examinations permitted under N.D.R.Civ.P. 35
• Expert disclosures required per N.D.R.Civ.P. 26

D. Settlement Considerations

• Offers of judgment available under N.D.R.Civ.P. 68
• Structured settlements common for larger claims
• Minor settlements require court approval

E. Trial Practice

• Jury of six in civil cases (unless stipulated otherwise)
• Bifurcation of liability and damages available
• Collateral source evidence excluded from jury under § 32-03.2-10
• Exemplary damages: separate finding required

F. Interest on Judgments

• Prejudgment interest available from date of injury or loss
• Post-judgment interest at rate determined by statute

G. UM/UIM Considerations

• Mandatory UM/UIM coverage in North Dakota ($25,000/$50,000 minimum)
• Stacking may be available depending on policy language
• Consider UM/UIM claim if tortfeasor underinsured

XVII. CONCLUSION

The evidence clearly establishes your insured's negligence caused Claimant's significant injuries and damages. Given the strength of liability and the extent of damages, settlement at policy limits or the demanded amount is appropriate and in the best interests of all parties.

We look forward to your prompt response. Please direct all communications to the undersigned.

Respectfully submitted,

[________________________________]
Attorney for Claimant

Firm: [________________________________]

Address: [________________________________]

Telephone: [________________________________]

Email: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

This demand is made for settlement purposes only pursuant to N.D.R.Ev. 408 and is inadmissible in any subsequent litigation. All rights are expressly reserved.