Every year, thousands of people in Colorado lose their lives due to negligence. Last year, Coloradans lost 4,150 loved ones in accidents, with many of them occurring in the following counties:
- Denver: 724
- Arapahoe: 464
- El Paso: 460
- Jefferson: 429
Have you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence? If you have, the law may entitle you to compensation.
At Zobel Legal Group, we understand how devastating it can be for a family to lose a loved one, especially if they are the sole breadwinner. While nothing can replace your loss, our Colorado wrongful death lawyers are here to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the complex legal process so you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
Why Choose Zobel Legal Group in Colorado for Your Loved One’s Wrongful Death Case?
For over a decade, Zobel Legal Group has been helping families who have lost loved ones due to someone else’s negligence.
We understand the pain, emotional struggle, and financial challenges families face after such a loss. Our founder, Wade Zobel, started Zobel Legal Group out of compassion with a vision to make a difference in the lives of people whose worlds have been turned upside down by another’s negligence.
Therefore, when you pursue your wrongful death case with us, our primary focus is to get better acquainted with your situation. As every family’s conditions are different, their needs are different.
When it comes to handling the legal process, our wrongful death attorneys have a proven track record of protecting victims’ rights against insurance companies and securing maximum financial compensation for our clients.
This is what our clients have to say about us:
“Working with Wade was better than I could have imagined. He was there for me and helped me when nobody else would. He went above and beyond to ensure I was taken care of and appropriately treated. I highly recommend him and will be going to him again if I ever need help again. Thank you, Wade.”— HALEY F.
We’re here to help you recover the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your family.
At Zobel Legal Group, we are committed to helping all families who have lost loved ones.
Call us today to discuss your loved one death case with our compassionate injury attorneys.
Understanding Wrongful Death in Colorado
In Colorado, wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to someone else’s wrongful act or negligence. In simpler terms, when a person dies in an accident due to someone else, the law may allow their family members to seek compensation for their losses. This includes incidents such as:
- Auto accidents
- Medical malpractice
- River rafting accidents
- Crimes
- Other accidents
Wrongful Death vs Survival Action
Many people in Colorado confuse wrongful death claims with survival actions. However, these are two distinct types of claims:
- Wrongful Death Claim: Compensates the loved ones left behind for their losses.
- Survival Action: Compensates for the losses an injured person suffered before passing.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Colorado?
In the first year after a death Colorado law gives preference to the surviving spouse to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If the spouse provides written consent to the children, the law also allows them to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The law also allows both spouse and children to file a wrongful death lawsuit if the spouse agrees. If the person who died was unmarried, the law permits children or designated beneficiaries to file.
In the second year after a death, any of the following persons can file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- The surviving spouse
- The children
- Designated beneficiaries and childrenIt’s extremely complex to determine who is eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Discuss the matter with our Colorado wrongful death attorney if you’ve lost your loved one in an accident. They can help determine who in your family is eligible to bring a claim.
Colorado Wrongful Death Laws
Modified Comparative Negligence
Colorado courts use a modified comparative negligence rule to decide if you’re entitled to compensation for your loved one’s death and what compensation you can recover.
According to this rule, the negligent person is liable for your loss only to the extent of their fault. Furthermore, if the court finds that your loved one was 50% or more at fault for the incident that led to their death, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Statute of Limitations for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado
You must file your wrongful death lawsuit within two years. However, if your loved one passed away in a hit-and-run case, Colorado law extends the filing deadline to four years. The years start from the day of the death of your loved one.
Common Challenges in Recovering Compensation
When seeking compensation for your loved one’s death, you may face the following challenges:
- The insurance company or the defendant claims that your loved one was solely responsible for their death.
- They might also claim that your loved one was more than 50% at fault. Therefore, you cannot recover any compensation.
How Zobel Legal Group Can Assist with Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit Challenges
Building Your Wrongful Death Case
Our wrongful death law firm in Colorado can investigate your case thoroughly. We can gather crucial evidence demonstrating the defendant’s negligent behavior.
Negotiation and Settlement
Our wrongful death lawyers in Denver can negotiate your case effectively with insurance companies. They understand all the insurance company tactics because they have negotiated hundreds of wrongful death cases. They can settle your case for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Filing Your Lawsuit and Going to Trial
Our Denver wrongful death attorney can file your lawsuit if the insurance company will not settle for what you deserve. They can handle all the legal paperwork, making sure everything is correct.
They can aggressively represent your interests in court and prove the defendant’s negligence so you can recover maximum compensation.
What Compensation Can You Recover for a Loved One’s Wrongful Death?
The law categorizes damages in two parts: Economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
You can recover compensation for the economic losses that you sustained due to your loved one’s death, which includes:
- Medical, funeral, and burial expenses
- Lost wages that the deceased person would have earned
Non-economic Damages
You can also recover compensation for losses that cannot be quantified in monetary value, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Grief
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional distress
Colorado laws place a cap of $679,990 on non-economic damages unless the death involved felonious conduct. In cases of intentional harm, the court may also award punitive damages.
Zobel Legal Group Can Help If You Lost a Loved One in Colorado
We understand the financial and emotional challenges your loved one’s death can cause in your life. Therefore, we provide a free consultation service. Moreover, you don’t have to pay us anything out of pocket. You only pay us a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.
Contact us today to discuss your loved one’s death with our wrongful death lawyers. Remember, you have a limited time to seek justice and recover compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can file a wrongful death suit in Colorado?
Generally, a surviving spouse or children can file, but eligibility depends on the specific case.
Who can file a survival action in Colorado?
A personal representative of the deceased’s estate is usually eligible.
Can you pursue both wrongful death and survival action claims?
Yes, but it depends on your case.