Wrongful Death
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado?
If you have lost an immediate family member because of a negligent or willful act by another, it may be possible to pursue financial compensation for your loss. Colorado’s Wrongful Death Act allows certain family members to file a lawsuit after their loved one has been killed as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
In general, Colorado laws regarding wrongful death primarily serve to protect those who were economically dependent on the deceased. During the first year after death, a spouse has exclusive rights to file a wrongful death action to receive financial compensation for his or her loss. During the second year after the fatal incident, the spouse and heirs of the deceased are allowed to bring a wrongful death action. Heirs protected under Colorado law include children and grandchildren. Siblings, however, cannot typically bring wrongful death lawsuits. When there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents of the deceased may bring a claim.
Colorado Car Accident Deaths Impose Hefty Costs
When a car accident kills a loved one, a family’s world is turned upside-down in an instant. Grieving and healing require time and energy, and it can seem like there is no room in your life for anything else. Unfortunately, the financial burdens caused by fatal car accidents are also real and must also be dealt with after a crash.
Colorado residents lose about $623 million due to deadly car accidents each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About $5 million is spent on medical costs, and about $618 million is lost when an injured or deceased person can no longer work and earn wages or other income.