A wrongful death is one that could have been prevented with an appropriate level or degree of care. It is a tragedy that would not have occurred were it not for someone else’s negligence or carelessness. If you recently lost a loved one in an accident in Pueblo, Colorado, our Pueblo wrongful death attorneys first want to extend their sincere condolences. Then, we want to help your family fight for justice.Â
If you are not sure whether you have grounds to file a wrongful death claim, learn Colorado’s definition of this tort. According to Colorado law, wrongful death is a fatal injury inflicted by someone else’s unintentional mistake or intentional wrongdoing. If one person’s negligent, reckless or intentional behaviors cause another person’s death, the deceased person’s surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim.
Wrongful death cases can arise in Colorado after many different types of fatal accidents:
If you believe another person or entity had the responsibility to keep your loved one safe but negligently or recklessly failed to fulfill this responsibility, that party may be accountable for your family’s losses.
Your family must not wait too long to file a wrongful death claim in Colorado. The statute of limitations is two years from the date of death. There are only a few exceptions to this rule that would extend your deadline. In some cases, such as if you are going up against the government, your deadline could be shorter than two years. It is critical to speak to a wrongful death attorney in Pueblo to avoid missing the statute of limitations. Otherwise, you could give up your right to file forever.
Colorado law is very specific in who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It appoints this right according to how many years have passed since the decedent’s death. In the first year, only a surviving spouse has the right to file. In the second year, both a surviving spouse and a surviving child can file. If these parties do not exist, the decedent’s parents can file. A representative of the decedent’s estate can also file a survival action, in some cases.
Most families do not come forward with wrongful death lawsuits for the money. No amount of money can make up for a wrongful death. Instead, they file lawsuits to hold wrongdoers accountable.Â
That being said, the financial outcome of a wrongful death claim can help a family move on without worrying about how to pay the bills. A successful wrongful death case could provide compensation for:Â Â
An insurance company, judge or jury is the party that assesses the value of a wrongful death case in Colorado. The specific amount awarded will depend on many factors unique to the case.
No family should ever lose someone because another party was careless or negligent. If you find yourself in this position after a traumatic fatal accident in Pueblo, Colorado, please contact the wrongful death lawyers at Fang Accident Lawyers. Call (720) 379-6363 or request a free consultation online today.