The most tragic outcome of a personal injury is the death of a loved one. When someone else’s negligence caused the death of a loved one, the surviving family members may be able to pursue accountability and compensation through the filing of a wrongful death claim. An Aurora personal injury attorney from Dulin McQuinn Young can compassionately guide you through the legal process. We can discuss your legal rights and options during a free and confidential consultation. Call us today or complete our online contact form to get started.
Why Choose Dulin McQuinn Young?
Unexpectedly losing a loved one can destabilize a person. Their entire vision of the future and sense of security can be quickly altered. When you are dealing with such a tragedy, it is important to have an experienced attorney who can advocate for you, while giving you and your family the space and time to grieve.
The personal injury law firm of Dulin McQuinn Young has extensive experience handling personal injury and wrongful death cases for years. We have built a solid legal reputation on being trial proven. Unlike other Aurora personal injury law firms, we regularly take cases to trial. We don’t back down from a fight and won’t settle our clients’ cases to avoid one unless that is in their best interests. We are recognized for our trial results and record recoveries, backed by more than 20 years of experience.
Some of our victories include the following:
- $11 million for a wrongful death case in Weld County
- $8.9 million for a slip and fall case in Denver County
- $5 million for negligent supervision in Denver County
At Dulin McQuinn Young, we regularly take on insurance companies, large corporations, and dangerous drivers across Colorado, fighting for the justice and accountability that our clients deserve. Call us at (303) 246-1111 today to schedule your free consultation.
What Is Wrongful Death?
Wrongful death in Colorado is defined as a fatal injury caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another person. If the injury victim would have been able to bring a personal injury claim had they survived, a wrongful death claim can generally be filed.
The legal elements involved in a wrongful death claim include the following:
- Negligence: Most wrongful death cases follow a legal theory of negligence. This means that the defendant owed the victim a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused the victim’s injury, which resulted in them suffering damages.
- Death: A death must have occurred to file this specific type of personal injury case. The victim’s death must have been directly caused by the defendant’s negligence or intentional actions.
- Damages: The victim’s family experienced losses due to their loved one’s death, such as medical bills, funeral costs, or loss of income.
If you’re not certain whether your family has legal grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit based on the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death, contact our law firm today.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Aurora, Colorado
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that unintentional injury is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Some accidents and other incidents that can lead to wrongful death can include the following:
- Car accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of wrongful death. These situations can arise due to negligent driving behavior, such as speeding, drunk driving, driving the wrong way, and distracted driving.
- Motorcycle accidents: Due to the lack of a steel frame, airbags, and a seat belt, motorcyclists can suffer severe injuries when a negligent motorist hits them. Tragically, fatalities are common in these accidents.
- Truck accidents: Due to the vast difference in the size and weight of commercial trucks versus passenger vehicles, the occupants of the smaller vehicle tend to suffer severe injuries when the vehicles collide. Fatalities are also unfortunately common in truck crashes.
- Bicycle accidents: Colorado has a thriving cycling community, yet many bicycle accidents occur because motorists fail to keep a proper lookout for them. This oversight can sometimes lead to tragic deaths.
- Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrians are sometimes killed in traffic accidents even if they are legally within a crosswalk and not doing anything wrong.
- Snowmobile accidents: Many visitors come to Colorado to enjoy winter activities, but not all of them have experience handling potentially dangerous machines like snowmobiles. Their inexperience or dangerous terrains can sometimes cause fatal accidents.
- Mass transit accidents: People can die while using mass transit vehicles, such as buses, trains, or planes.
- Construction accidents: Electric equipment, heights, and unattended holes can lead to dangerous conditions that can result in tragedy without proper supervision.
- Drownings: Submersion for only a few minutes can result in fatal drownings.
- Slips and falls: Falls from heights and into hard objects can result in deadly accidents.
- Dog bites: Some animal attacks are so vicious that they result in people’s immediate death or death from complications.
- Defective product incidents: Our wrongful death law firm can pursue compensation when manufacturing defects, design defects, or warning defects cause consumer deaths.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?
Colorado law provides details about who can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Within the first year, only the surviving spouse can file this type of legal claim unless they consent to allow someone else to file it. Other heirs or beneficiaries can file a wrongful death claim within the second year.
What Compensation Can Our Family Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?
While no amount of compensation can ever bring your loved one back, awarding financial compensation is the only remedy that courts can offer as judicial relief. Your family could be spared some of the financial harm you would otherwise be subject to due to the death of your loved one by seeking compensation for damages such as:
- Lost wages and other financial support that the decedent would have provided had they survived
- Loss of benefits, such as health insurance or pension benefits
- Funeral expenses and burial costs
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of companionship and consortium
Contact an Aurora Wrongful Death Lawyer for Help
If you have recently lost a loved one, do not hesitate to reach out to Dulin McQuinn Young for legal guidance and assistance. Contact us today to arrange a free and confidential consultation.