Losing a loved one is more difficult to accept when their death was due to the negligence of someone else. In such preventable instances, you need an experienced Littleton wrongful death attorney on your side who can fight to protect your rights and honor your loved one’s memory.

The compassionate personal injury legal team at Dulin McQuinn Young is here to help you during this challenging time in your pursuit of justice.

Littleton Wrongful Death Attorney

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Colorado law defines a wrongful death as one caused by another person’s wrongful act, default, or neglect. While this definition encompasses criminal conduct, most wrongful death cases arise out of negligence, which means the defendant:

Owed your loved one a duty of care
Breached the duty of care
Caused your loved one’s death through their breach of the duty of care
Caused you to suffer damages as a result of your loved one’s death

Colorado’s wrongful death law allows surviving family members to pursue compensation from the party responsible for the decedent’s death. Wrongful death lawsuits can be filed whether a crime occurred, whether there’s a criminal trial or not, and regardless of the outcome of any such case.

If their loved one would have been able to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, there may be grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases can be brought against individual defendants, employers, businesses, property owners, governmental agencies, and other entities.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Littleton, Colorado?

Colorado law allows the surviving spouse to file a wrongful death lawsuit within the first year of death. In the second year, the surviving spouse, children, or eligible designated beneficiaries can file the case. Absent these family relations, the decedent’s parents can file the wrongful death actions.

Compensation After a Wrongful Death

While no amount of money can ever fairly compensate for the unexpected loss of your loved one, a wrongful death claim may be able to help you achieve a sense of justice and provide greater financial stability for your family. Colorado law allows eligible family members to recover compensation for the following:

Medical expenses prior to death
Funeral and burial costs
Lost income for the decedent’s life expectancy
Lost medical and retirement employment benefits
Lost household services
Pain and suffering
Grief
Loss of companionship and affection
Loss of consortium

Importance of Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Early

Colorado law limits the amount of time a party has to file a wrongful death case to two years from the date of your loved one’s death. If you don’t file your lawsuit within this timeframe, you can forfeit your right to seek justice from the party responsible for causing your loved one’s death or recovering financial compensation.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

Leading causes of wrongful death actions in Colorado include the following:

Car accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Truck accidents
Slips and falls
Construction accidents
Dangerous premises
Defective products
Criminal behavior, including murder
Medical malpractice
Occupational exposure to hazardous substances or conditions

Contact Our Littleton Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you recently lost a loved one in Littleton, Colorado, reach out to the legal team at Dulin McQuinn Young to schedule a free consultation. We provide our clients with the personalized attention they deserve and can give you a clear understanding of your legal options.