Fort Collins Wrongful Death Lawyers

We Take Care of Every Part of Your Claim

Wrongful death claims often involve insurance companies and defendants who may attempt to minimize responsibility. After all, no one ever wants to admit that their mistake caused someone else to lose their life. Having experienced legal representation on your side can prepare you for whatever the defendant and their insurer try to argue.

At Tenge Law Firm LLC, we can help by:

• Conducting detailed investigations into the cause of the death
• Gathering evidence such as medical records, accident reports, and expert opinions
• Identifying all potentially responsible parties
• Attempting to negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel
• Preparing cases for litigation when necessary

What Is Considered a “Wrongful Death” in Colorado?

A wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions. These claims allow surviving family members to pursue financial compensation for losses caused by the death. Wrongful death lawsuits may be filed against individuals, companies, government entities, or other organizations whose actions contributed to the fatal incident.

Establishing a wrongful death claim generally requires showing that:

• The defendant owed a duty of care to the victim
• That duty was breached through negligence or misconduct
• The breach caused the victim’s death
• The surviving family suffered damages as a result, including non-economic damage

Bring Any Wrongful Death Claim to Our Firm

Fatal accidents can occur in many different circumstances. Our wrongful death lawyers in Fort Collins have handled cases involving a wide range of negligent conduct, so you can trust that we’ll be able to approach your case, regardless of the details.

Some of the most common causes of wrongful deaths include:

• Motor vehicle accidents or car accidents
• Truck and commercial vehicle crashes
• Dangerous or defective products
• Premises liability incidents caused by unsafe property conditions
• Nursing home abuse or neglect
• Criminal acts or violent misconduct
• Workplace accidents and occupational hazards
• Medical malpractice and hospital negligence

Many of these cases require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and careful legal analysis to complete. Our firm can work to uncover the full picture of what happened and who may be responsible. In some cases, we may even work alongside third-party experts and specialists, such as accident reconstruction experts.

Challenges Families Often Face After a Wrongful Death

The loss of a loved one can create both emotional and financial hardships for surviving family members. When working on your case, we will consider all the ways that the death of a loved one has affected you and your family, so we can push for compensation that reflects the true extent of your loss.

It is common for someone who has suffered the unexpected loss of a loved one to an accident to experience:

• Emotional hardship: You may be struggling with intense sadness, anxiety about the future, anger, depression, or difficulty adjusting to life after the loss. While legal action cannot eliminate grief, pursuing accountability may help some families find a sense of justice.
• Financial strain: A wrongful death can create unexpected financial burdens, such as medical expenses related to the fatal injury, funeral and burial costs, loss of household income, and loss of benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions. For families who relied on the deceased person’s financial support, these costs can be overwhelming.
• Long-term uncertainty: In addition to immediate expenses, families may face ongoing concerns about supporting children and paying for education, replacing lost household services, and adjusting long-term financial plans. A wrongful death claim may help provide resources that allow families to move forward after a devastating loss.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?

In Colorado, unique rules may apply to determine who can file a claim after a wrongful death, such as:

• During the first year after the death, only the surviving spouse may file a claim.
• After the first year, the surviving children may also bring a claim.
• If the deceased person had no spouse or children, the parents may be eligible to file.

In addition to wrongful death claims filed by family members, the representative of the deceased person’s estate may pursue a related legal action known as a survival claim or action. Because eligibility rules can affect how a case proceeds, speaking with a wrongful death attorney early in the process can help clarify who may pursue legal action.

What Is a Survival Action?

A survival action is a claim brought by the representative of the deceased person’s estate. Unlike a wrongful death claim, which focuses on the losses experienced by surviving family members, a survival action seeks compensation for damages the victim experienced between the time of injury and the time of death.

Compensation obtained through a survival action is paid to the estate rather than directly to family members. These claims may address losses such as medical expenses or pain and suffering experienced by the victim before death.

Damages That May Be Available in a Wrongful Death Case

Colorado law allows certain damages to be pursued in wrongful death and survival claims. Due to our extensive experience and resources, we can help you file and manage both types of claims, so you can pursue as much compensation as possible.

Potential compensation if you file these claims after losing a loved one may include:

• Medical expenses related to the fatal injury
• Funeral and burial costs
• Lost income and financial support
• Loss of benefits such as insurance or retirement contributions
• Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
• Loss of household services
• Pain and suffering experienced prior to death

Determining the value of a wrongful death claim can involve a detailed analysis of financial records, life expectancy, employment history, and other factors. Allow us to handle this complicated process, so you can remain focused on grieving with your family.

Colorado’s Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

Under Colorado law, wrongful death lawsuits generally must be filed within two years from the date of death. 

Missing this deadline can entirely prevent you from pursuing compensation through the courts. Because investigating fatal accidents can take time, please speak with our attorneys as early as possible, especially because important evidence can sometimes become more difficult to find as time passes.

Contact Us 24/7 for a Free Consultation

Pursuing a wrongful death claim while grieving the loss of a loved one is a lot for anyone to handle, especially alone. To get the moral and legal support you need now more than ever, reach out to Tenge Law Firm LLC and our Fort Collins wrongful death attorneys. We would be honored to guide you through the legal process and advocate for your interests, which may include compensation to help you move forward again.

If you have lost a loved one and believe negligence may have been involved, call our award-winning legal team at (970) 510-8077.