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Wrongful Death

COLORADO'S WRONGFUL DEATH LAW FIRM

Losing a loved one, especially when it’s the result of a preventable accident or illness caused by another person’s action or inaction, is an experience none of us want to endure. In addition to the emotional and mental pain and suffering that comes with losing a loved one, wrongful death cases can take a tremendous financial toll on families. In Colorado, wrongful death claims are initiated by the surviving families members (wrongful death beneficiaries) or the estate of the decedent. Though these claims are never what a person wants to do, they are often necessary and practical for the mere financial part of it.
At Nares Law Group, our wrongful death attorneys in Colorado understand what you are going through and will persevere to obtain the best possible legal outcome. Contact us today at 720-637-7786 to schedule a Free Consultation. In the meantime, here’s an overview of what a wrongful death claim in Colorado may involve.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado

When someone dies as a result of the negligence or misconduct of another person, the family of the deceased person may file a wrongful death claim against the person at fault. A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit brought against an individual, company, or governmental entity.
In a wrongful death claim, a plaintiff can seek compensation for things like:
  • Lost income
  • Medical expenses prior to the death
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost companionship
  • Lost prospect of inheritance.
While the specific laws vary between states to establish a wrongful death claim, a plaintiff generally needs to show the cause of death by satisfying four elements.
  • The defendant owed a duty of care to the decedent.
  • The defendant breached this duty of care (either negligently or recklessly).
  • This breach caused the decedent's wrongful death.
  • The plaintiff suffered losses as a result.
After establishing these elements, it then turns on the question of who can file the wrongful death claim in Colorado.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?

Colorado Revised Statute 13-21-201 sets forth the parties who can bring a wrongful death action and the timeframe for doing so. Specifically, this statute gives the surviving spouse priority to bring the wrongful death claim within the first year. The surviving spouse can choose to share or transfer his or her claim with the heir or heirs of the deceased.

If there is no surviving spouse, the wrongful death claim can be brought by the heir or heirs of the deceased or the designated beneficiary (if any).
If the deceased is an unmarried minor without descendants or an unmarried adult without descendants and without a designated beneficiary, the father or mother may initiate the wrongful death action. It’s important to notes that the statute provides that the father and mother shall have an equal interest in the judgment.
The parties who can maintain a wrongful death action vary depending on the jurisdiction. In most states, they are the immediate family members of the decedent, including the following:
  • Wives
  • Husbands
  • Children
  • Parents of young children

Many states also recognize life partners who were financially dependent on the decedent.

Relationships beyond immediate family members or life partners may not be eligible to file a wrongful death suit, depending on the relevant law. For example, only some states recognize extended family members like grandparents and siblings. Some states also recognize parents of a deceased fetus as real parties in interest.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death Claims in Colorado

Wrongful death claims often arise in the context of the following.
  • Car accidents, especially those involving drunk drivers. If the case involves intoxication, the lawsuit may also name the person who served the driver alcohol as a defendant
  • Other auto accidents or related-auto accidents, including those involving commercial trucks, semi-trucks, motorcycles, boats, pedestrians, and bicyclists
  • Medical malpractice, when a practitioner fails to provide an acceptable level of care that leads to a misdiagnosis, surgical mistake, prescription error, birth injury, or any other harm
  • Product liability, e.g., a defective medication causes someone's death
  • Airplane accidents, where the airline, plane manufacturer, or pilot may be named as defendants
  • Workplace accidents or construction accidents, including deaths caused by falls, falling objects, improper training, or exposure to toxic substances
  • Premise liability accidents, e.g., a slip and fall or another accident occurring on someone else's property

What Are Common Defenses to Wrongful Death Claims in Colorado?

The defenses available to a defendant in a wrongful death claim and their application vary between states. If you are the plaintiff, it is important to know what potential defenses are so that you can be prepared to argue against them.
Some common defenses include:
  • Expiration of the statute of limitations, where the plaintiff has filed their claim beyond the deadline and is now ineligible to recover
  • Comparative or contributory negligence, where the defendant alleges the decedent's negligence contributed to their death
  • Assumption of risk, where the decedent knew about the risk associated with an activity or signed a waiver or release accepting it
  • Self-defense, where the defendant says they used reasonable force against the decedent to protect themself from the decedent causing serious harm to them
Whether a specific defense applies depends on the circumstances of the case. It’s also important to remember that just because a defense is invoked, it does not mean you can’t argue against it. When a defense is invoked, the defendant must prove it.
The standard of proof in a wrongful death action is the civil standard of a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, it is more likely than not that the defendant’s actions resulted in the wrongful death.

Contact a Wrongful Death Attorney in Colorado Today

If you lost a loved one and believe you may have a wrongful death claim but are unsure, our wrongful death attorney can help you understand what your legal options are. Time is of the essence, though.

The statute of limitations begins running at the time of death, and the period to file a claim is often shorter than it is for any other type of personal injury claim. To know how long you have to file a claim, contact Nares Law Group today by filling out the online form or calling us at 720-637-7786. We will schedule a Free Consultation with our wrongful death attorney so that you can get the legal advice and representation you need.

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