If you have recently lost a loved one under suspicious circumstances in which you believe someone may be legally responsible for the death, an experienced Thornton wrongful death lawyer from Dulin McQuinn Young can investigate and explain if you have legal grounds to file a personal injury claim in Thornton. Taking this step can be essential in your healing journey, allowing you to seek justice and accountability for the harm that your loved one endured. Contact us today to discuss your case in a confidential setting.
Important Colorado Laws to Know Regarding Wrongful Death
Under Colorado law, certain eligible family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim if their loved one’s death is caused by an act of negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing. If your loved one survived the incident and would have been able to file a personal injury claim, survivors may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
Eligible family members include the surviving spouse and children. If the decedent had neither, their parents can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Only the spouse has the right to file a wrongful death claim within the first year.
Any wrongful death claim must be filed within the applicable time limit. Generally, this is two years from the date of death. However, there are exceptions. For example, if your loved one died in a hit-and-run accident, you could have up to four years to file a claim.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate these complex laws. Call us today to learn whether you have legal grounds to file a wrongful death claim. If your case involves a commercial vehicle, a dedicated truck accident lawyer from our team can help protect your rights.
How Can a Thornton Wrongful Death Attorney Help?
Navigating a complex legal claim can be challenging when you are also dealing with the tremendous loss of a loved one. An experienced Thornton wrongful death lawyer can help by:
- Investigating your loved one’s death and determining all parties who played a role in it
- Gathering evidence to prove fault, including accident reports, medical records, autopsy reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, surveillance video, and reports from accident reconstruction experts
- Handling communications and interactions with the insurance company, including filing insurance claims on your behalf
- Calculating the full value of all of your monetary losses and negotiating for fair compensation
- Explaining the legal process to you and answering any questions that arise during it
Our investigators are also prepared to handle specialized traffic cases; if your loved one was driving, we can step in as your Thornton car accident lawyer to secure crucial evidence.
Recoverable Damages in a Colorado Wrongful Death Case
Damages in a wrongful death case in Colorado generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Economic damages: Economic damages cover monetary losses, such as lost income, medical bills, and burial and funeral expenses.
- Non-economic damages: These damages cover personal losses, such as grief, depression, and emotional distress.
- Exemplary damages: Exemplary or punitive damages are not awarded in every case. Instead, they are reserved for the most egregious situations in which the court wants to send a message and punish the defendant for particularly outrageous behavior.
Every wrongful death case is unique. An experienced attorney can review the factors specific to yours to determine the damages you can seek.
Contact Us Today
Learn about your legal rights and options when you contact Dulin McQuinn Young for a free consultation.