5.0 out of 5.0 on Wrongful Death
Five Things You Should Know About Wrongful Death Claims in Colorado
The loss of a loved one is always a tragic and devastating experience and impacts us for the rest of our lives. A loss is even more devastating when it is sudden, unexpected, and the result of someone else’s negligence. Colorado allows certain persons to pursue a wrongful death claim against a responsible party when they have caused the death of another person, but there are limitations on wrongful death claims, such as:
Types of Damages in a Colorado Wrongful Death Claim
After the loss of a loved one, you may be left with leftover medical bills, funeral expenses, a loss of future wages, and other costs that you should not have to bear alone. If you lost someone to a wrongful death, you may be able to recover all of these costs and more to give you and your family a brighter future.
Wrongful Death: The Limits, The Exceptions, and The Rules
The sudden loss of a loved one is devastating. Even more so when it’s unexpected and when someone else caused it. The emotional toll is great. The financial loss can be devastating to a family.
Leading Causes of Child Wrongful Death
As a parent, there is nothing worse than the death of a child. The loss of a child is a traumatic and tragic event, not even including the pain you experience afterward. Unfortunately, death is an unavoidable part of life. Children are vulnerable, and sometimes, the worst happens no matter how careful you or your children are.
It is tragic, but child maltreatment is a leading cause of child wrongful death in the United States. Maltreatment includes neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and psychological abuse. When the child is denied their basic needs, such as food and housing, these are examples of neglect. Shaking and hitting are examples of physical abuse. According to the 2014 report by the Administration for Children and Families, out of every 100,000 children, 1,580 die every year.
Common Questions Following a Colorado Springs Child’s Wrongful Death
After the wrongful death or injury of your child you will be left with a lot of questions. These are questions you might not know the answer to, especially when you are also grieving. The loss of a child is always earth shattering. It’s hard to know how to continue your daily life. It’s also hard to know what steps you might need to take. This is even more true in the event of a child’s wrongful death.
When you are grieving the loss of a child, the first question you might be asking is: “What’s the point of lawsuit or claim?” This is a valid question, and an understandable one. No matter what you do, it won’t bring your child back, and that’s really all you want. However, a wrongful death suit or claim can help alleviate the immediate financial burden your family is experiencing. Unfortunately, there are costs involved with the death of a loved one and it can be hard to meet those costs. Even more so when the loss involves a child. You never expect to lose a child.
What is a Wrongful Death in a Colorado Accident?
When an injury suffered in a car crash or other Colorado accident proves fatal, the injured person’s surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party with the help of an experienced attorney.
A “wrongful death” is a death caused by the negligence of another person or company. A death resulting from a car accident, a slip and fall, or from using a product with a deadly hidden defect are just a few of the situations that may give rise to a wrongful death claim.
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.
