You shouldn’t have to deal with the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s carelessness. But if you, you may have the legal right to hold the negligent party responsible for the harm they have caused. The Highlands Ranch personal injury lawyers at Dulin McQuinn Young hold negligent parties responsible to the fullest extent of the law, standing beside victims and their families. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Highlands Ranch Wrongful Death Claims

A wrongful death claim is a legal claim that holds someone civilly responsible for causing the death of another person. Unlike a criminal case where criminal penalties like incarceration or fines may be imposed, a civil action focuses on awarding financial damages, such as:

Lost income that the decedent would have provided had they survived
Funeral expenses and burial costs
Medical expenses for the final illness or injury
Grief and emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Loss of companionship, guidance, comfort, and care

Eligible Parties Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim and Time Limitations

Colorado law limits who can file a wrongful death claim and when. Within the first year of death, only the surviving spouse can file a wrongful death claim unless they give permission to the surviving children to file the claim or join in the claim with them. Within the second year of death, the decedent’s surviving children or the designated beneficiary of the decedent can file the claim. If there is no surviving spouse or child, the decedent’s parents can bring the claim.

In any event, a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the death to comply with Colorado’s statute of limitations. If a lawsuit is not filed within this timeframe, any subsequent action can be dismissed as untimely.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims

While a wrongful death claim can be brought due to a crime such as murder or drunk driving, most wrongful death claims are filed on the legal theory of negligence. Negligence occurs in this context when a person’s death is caused by the breach of duty of someone who owed the decedent a legal duty of care. Common examples of situations that can result in wrongful death due to negligence include:

Car accidents
Motorcycle accidents
Truck accidents
Boating accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Bicycle accidents
Defective products
Unsafe premises

If you think that your family might have a legal claim for wrongful death, contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer for legal assistance.

Call Our Highlands Ranch Wrongful Death Lawyers for a Free and Confidential Consultation

If your loved one was killed due to the negligent or careless acts of another, the Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorneys at Dulin McQuinn Young are here to support you during this most difficult time. We have extensive experience handling wrongful death claims and can provide you with compassionate legal support while aggressively pursuing the justice and accountability that your loved one deserves. Insurance companies and defendants know we mean business since we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Call us today for a free case evaluation.