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Did your loved one die due to another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or failure to act? Please accept our condolences. Our Westminster wrongful death lawyers at Matlin Injury Law know the pain and confusion such a loss brings to your family. Call our office today and arrange your free case consultation to get the answers you need. Once we hear your story, we can help guide you toward the legal options that make sense for your case.
Because wrongful death cases in Colorado relate to personal injury law, our Westminster personal injury lawyers are prepared to fight for the justice your family deserves and the compensation that at-fault parties owe the survivors. We realize that compensation brings no comfort, but an unexpected death can quickly put financial strain on the family, making it difficult to find a path to a new future. We can help change that.
Our Westminster Wrongful Death Lawyer Helps Establish Your Claim
For your family to pursue a wrongful death claim, the circumstances must be such that, had your loved one survived their injuries, they would have been able to bring a personal injury claim against the defendant.
To help establish your claim of wrongful death, our legal team must prove the following elements:
- The defendant had a duty to cause your loved one no harm.
- The defendant breached their duty by acting negligently, failing to act, or committing a wrongful act.
- The breach of duty caused your loved one’s death.
- The death of your loved one caused survivors to suffer losses.
Our Team Will Investigate Your Loved One’s Death to Prove Your Claim
We will base our investigation on a personalized legal plan that might include:
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Collecting CCTV footage and other visual data
- Maintaining copies of all documentation, such as police reports, medical records, and accident reports
- Reconstruction of the event leading to your loved one’s death
During the investigation, we will identify the at-fault party and determine liability for the compensation you are due. If all parties agree on fault, we could negotiate a compensation settlement with the liable party’s insurers. If there is no agreement on fault, or if we cannot settle your claim, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf and pursue compensation via judgment or verdict in court.
Compensable Losses for a Wrongful Death in Westminster, CO
You can recover the economic and noneconomic losses you and your family sustain from the death of your loved one. In general, those might include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Expenses you paid for your loved one prior to their death, such as medical care or property repairs
- Loss of financial support and benefits provided by your loved one
- Loss of emotional support and guidance
- Loss of companionship and affection
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional turmoil, depression, and grief
Meet with one of our Westminster wrongful death attorneys at Matlin Injury Law to explore entirely the types of losses experienced by the survivors. If possible, it’s critical to account for all losses before filing a compensation claim or wrongful death lawsuit, as it’s difficult to try and recover more compensation once you settle the case. Call today to learn more.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Before the Statute of Limitations Runs Out
CO. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 establishes a two-year deadline for beginning a legal action in a wrongful death case. Several exceptions to this rule apply that our Westminster wrongful death attorneys will explain while planning your case. But in most cases, you cannot seek compensation through the courts if you miss the deadline.
Those Eligible to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado
Colorado has specific laws regarding who may file a wrongful death lawsuit and when they may file it. In the first year after a wrongful death, the spouse of the decedent may file, and if the spouse agrees, the heirs may join that wrongful death lawsuit or file separate legal action. If the decedent was unmarried at the time of death, the heirs or a designated beneficiary may file in the first year.
In the second year after death, the spouse and heirs can file together or separately, and a designated beneficiary may join the heirs’ lawsuit. If the deceased wasn’t married and had neither heirs nor a designated beneficiary, the parents may file legal action to recover compensation for their losses.
Who may file a wrongful death lawsuit and when they may do so are complicated questions in Colorado. Sit down with one of our Westminster wrongful death lawyers to get clarification on this issue for you and your family.
The Matlin Injury Law Wrongful Death Team in Westminster, CO
Founding Attorney Brian Matlin is a Coloradan born and raised. He and our team of hard-hitting lawyers and staff dedicate themselves to fighting for the rights of injured individuals and their families. We’re proud to have recovered millions for our clients while providing our unique brand of personal service. When we take on your case, each client receives the same compassionate care, including:
- We will travel to you if you can’t come to us.
- Precise attention to detail throughout the legal process.
- Direct access to your attorney without going through a case manager or office assistant.
- Access to our client app so that you can track your case through our daily updates.
- Easy-to-understand explanations of the legal and insurance processes.
- A no-win/no-pay policy, meaning you only pay attorney fees if we win your case.
- Open communication, welcoming your calls, emails, or texts.
Contact Our Westminster Wrongful Death Lawyer Today
Our Westminster wrongful death attorneys have over 50 years of combined service, allowing us to bring a broad depth of knowledge and experience to each case we handle. We’re here to help you through this traumatic time as you shape the future you and your family deserve. So, contact us today for your free case review.
