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Wrongful Death Laws in Colorado

Losing a loved one in a tragic accident caused by negligence is devastating and emotionally overwhelming. Not only must you and your family grieve over their death, but you may also have to pay for all the funeral and burial expenses out of your own pocket. 

Although there is no amount of money in the world that is worth your loved one’s life, you may be eligible for financial compensation that will cover all the damages the family has suffered from the tragedy. In Colorado and every other state, you may file a wrongful death claim – within two years of the date of the death – to obtain such damages. 

A wrongful death claim is a lawsuit filed in civil court that holds another party liable for the death of someone else. Many types of accidents – such as car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and injuries caused by defective products – that result in a personal injury lawsuit can also lead to a wrongful death lawsuit. 

The following are the individuals who may file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased individual: 

  • The surviving spouse (within the first year after the wrongful death) 

  • The surviving spouse (within the second year after the wrongful death) 

  • The deceased individual’s parents (if there is no surviving spouse and children) 

  • The surviving family members or a representative of the deceased person’s estate (if there is no surviving spouse, children, and parents) 

The damages for losses suffered by the deceased or their estate include medical expenses related to the individual’s final injury or illness, as well as funeral and burial expenses. Additionally, family members can recover damages related to income/compensation that the deceased would have likely earned if he/she had lived, benefits lost (i.e., life insurance), and loss of love and care. 

If you recently lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence in Arapahoe County, contact the Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. today at (720) 809-8262 for a free consultation. Serving clients throughout Colorado for the past 25 years. 

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