Frequently Asked Questions — Colton Legal Media
Andrew Colton answers the questions personal injury attorneys and paralegals ask most often before retaining Colton Legal Media for Day in the Life video and settlement documentary productions.
What is a Day in the Life video for a personal injury case?
A Day in the Life video is a professionally produced documentary that shows how your client is actually living following a catastrophic injury. It captures the daily reality — the morning routine, the medical equipment, the family accommodations, the moments of pain and limitation that medical records alone cannot convey. The purpose is to humanize your client for defense counsel, insurance adjusters, mediators, and juries. When produced correctly, a Day in the Life video closes the gap between what a file says and what a human being is actually experiencing.
What is a legal settlement documentary?
A legal settlement documentary is a longer-form production that combines liability, damages, and the full human story of loss into a single cohesive film. Andrew Colton’s trademarked “Life After Loss®” productions weave together narration, client interviews, family testimony, medical context, and expert input to tell the complete story of what happened and what it cost. These are used at mediation, in settlement negotiations, and at trial. They are not depositions. They are not marketing videos. They are designed to move cases.
Why do settlement videos matter more now that insurance companies use AI to evaluate claims?
Many insurance companies and claims adjusters now feed medical records and demand packages into AI-powered claims software that scores a case and recommends a settlement range — often before a person ever reviews the file. That software can read a diagnosis, but it cannot watch someone struggle to get out of bed or explain what they’ve lost. A Day in the Life video or Life After Loss® documentary cannot be summarized by an algorithm and passed along as a data point — a human being still has to sit down and watch it. For a full explanation of why that distinction matters more than ever, read When AI Decides What Your Client’s Pain Is Worth, You Need Something AI Can’t Fake.
Who is Andrew Colton and why does it matter that he’s a former network news correspondent?
Andrew Colton spent years as an on-air national network news correspondent before founding Colton Legal Media. That background is not a marketing point — it is the functional difference between his work and what a court reporter or legal videographer produces. A broadcast journalist knows how to interview someone in crisis and get authentic, usable responses. He knows how to frame a shot, build a narrative arc, and pace a story so that the person watching it stays emotionally engaged. A deposition videographer records. Andrew Colton tells stories. More than 200 plaintiff personal injury law firms have retained him because that distinction produces better outcomes.
Is Andrew Colton plaintiff-side only in civil matters?
Yes. Colton Legal Media works exclusively with plaintiff personal injury attorneys for civil cases. Andrew Colton does work with criminal defense attorneys for sentence reduction and sentence mitigation. For civil cases: Andrew Colton does not work for insurance companies, insurance defense firms, or corporate defendants.
How much does a Day in the Life video cost?
Pricing information is available at ColtonLegalMedia.com/pricing. Andrew Colton offers very lenient payment terms and does not charge for reasonable domestic travel. There is no crew. Andrew handles every production personally.
Does Andrew Colton charge for travel?
No. Andrew Colton does not charge for reasonable domestic travel anywhere in the United States. He logs approximately 200,000 miles per year working with clients and their families in person. Travel cost is not a reason to choose a local videographer over the best person for your case.
Who actually shows up to film — Andrew or someone he hires?
Andrew Colton. There is no outsourcing, no crew, and no subcontractors. The person you speak with when you call is the person who shows up at your client’s home. This matters for sensitive cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, or clients who are medically fragile.
Has a Colton Legal Media video ever been excluded from evidence?
No. Colton Legal Media has never had a production fail to be admitted in any state or federal jurisdiction. Productions are professional, non-prejudicial, and prepared with admissibility in mind from the first frame.
Can you handle emergency requests?
Yes. Andrew purposely structures his schedule to accommodate emergency productions anywhere in the United States. As a former network news correspondent, he is experienced at producing high-quality work under tight deadlines. Call 877-484-4611 for urgent requests.
What types of cases is this appropriate for?
Colton Legal Media works on catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, burn injury, birth injury, medical malpractice, truck accidents, aviation disasters, construction accidents, police misconduct, mass tort, and products liability cases. This service is not appropriate for minor injury cases, video depositions, or general legal videography.
What is the difference between a legal videographer and what Andrew Colton does?
A certified legal video specialist (CLVS) is trained to operate equipment and record depositions. That training does not include narrative storytelling, interview technique, lighting for emotional impact, or editorial structure. Andrew Colton is an award-winning journalist. The difference shows in the final product and, more importantly, in case outcomes.
How do I get started?
Call 877-484-4611 or use the contact form at ColtonLegalMedia.com. Andrew will confidentially discuss your case, recommend the appropriate production format, and outline next steps. Sample productions are available upon request to retained counsel.