Denver Wrongful Death Attorney

Helping You Find Justice Following a Loved One’s Death in Denver

Losing a loved one is often a devastating experience. The overwhelming grief, pain, and sense of loss you feel can leave you unsure where to turn for help and support.

When someone else’s negligence, carelessness, or intentional misconduct kills a close family member, the situation becomes even more heart breaking and complex.

If you lost a loved one in Denver due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you need a compassionate and experienced Denver wrongful death attorney to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we understand the immense emotional and financial hardships a wrongful death can have on a family. 

Our dedicated team of attorneys has decades of experience serving injured clients throughout the Denver community. We provide compassionate legal representation to families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others.

You can count on us to listen to your story, offer guidance, and work diligently to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Denver Personal Injury Guide

• Helping You Find Justice Following a Loved One’s Death in Denver
• What Is Wrongful Death?
• Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Denver, CO
• Denver and Colorado Wrongful Death Statistics
• What to Do if Someone’s Negligence or Wrongdoing Kills a Close Family Member in Denver
• How Do I Know if I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?
• What Types of Compensation Can I Receive From a Wrongful Death Claim?
• Who Qualifies to Bring a Wrongful Death Action in Denver?
• How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Denver?
• How Can an Attorney Help with My Denver Wrongful Death Claim?
• Why Should I Choose Franklin D. Azar Associates, P.C. to Handle My Denver Wrongful Death Case?
• Denver Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions
• Contact a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

What Is Wrongful Death?

Wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions of another individual or entity. In these cases, eligible surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their losses.

Damage can include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional pain and suffering they have endured.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Denver, CO

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in Denver include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Negligent and reckless drivers can cause fatal car, truck, and motorcycle accidents.
• Rideshare Accidents: Although rideshare services offer a convenient, and sometimes necessary, means of travel, people put their lives in the hands of another driver when they use services like Uber or Lyft. Uber drivers can (and do) get into accidents, some of which prove fatal to their passengers.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrians have virtually no protection if a vehicle collides with them. Tragically, car vs pedestrian accidents kill many people each year in Denver and throughout Colorado.
• Workplace Accidents: Fatal accidents on construction sites, in factories, or other work environments occur due to unsafe conditions or lack of proper safety equipment.
• Defective Products: Dangerous or defective products also kill far too many people throughout Colorado and across the country each year. These include faulty vehicles, malfunctioning machinery, or harmful pharmaceuticals. Sometimes, defective product claims consolidate into class actions or multi-district litigation (MDL), allowing numerous claimants to obtain compensation from the at-fault product manufacturer.

Denver and Colorado Wrongful Death Statistics

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, unintentional injuries, which include motor vehicle accidents, falls, and poisonings, are the third leading cause of death in the state.

In a recent year, there were 3,072 deaths due to unintentional injuries in Colorado. Additionally, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported that there were 622 traffic fatalities in the state, with 92 of those occurring in Denver.

What to Do if Someone’s Negligence or Wrongdoing Kills a Close Family Member in Denver

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing in Denver, to protect your rights and seek justice:

1. Contact Law Enforcement: If a criminal act or motor vehicle crash caused the death, contact the police immediately to report the incident.
2. Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence related to the incident, such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records.
3. Consult a Wrongful Death Attorney: Contact an experienced wrongful death attorney to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.
4. File a Wrongful Death Claim: Your attorney will help you file a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties to seek compensation for your losses.

How Do I Know if I Have a Wrongful Death Claim?

To determine if you have a valid wrongful death claim, your lawyer must prove:

1. The responsible party had a duty to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to others.
2. The responsible party breached their duty of care through negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions.
3. The breach of duty directly caused your loved one’s death.
4. You and your family suffered losses as a result of your loved one’s death.

If your attorney can demonstrate these elements, you likely have a strong claim for compensation. Speak with a personal injury lawyer right away to evaluate your case and help you determine the best course of action.

What Types of Compensation Can I Receive From a Wrongful Death Claim?

In a successful wrongful death claim, you may receive compensation for:

• Economic Damages: These include quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses related to your loved one’s final injury or illness, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of your loved one’s future income and benefits.
• Non-Economic Damages: These include intangible losses, such as the loss of your loved one’s companionship, guidance, and emotional support, as well as the pain and suffering your family endured.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases where the responsible party’s actions were particularly egregious or intentional, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.

The amount of compensation you may receive will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, including the severity of the negligence or wrongdoing, the extent of your losses, and the available insurance coverage or assets of the responsible party.

Who Qualifies to Bring a Wrongful Death Action in Denver?

Colorado law specifies who is eligible to file a wrongful death claim in Denver and throughout the state:

Eligibility in the First Year After Death

• Surviving Spouse: The surviving spouse has the exclusive right to file a wrongful death claim during the first year following the death.

Exceptions

• The surviving spouse can give written permission for the deceased’s children to file the claim or join the children in filing the claim.
• If the deceased was unmarried, the children, parents, or a designated beneficiary may file a wrongful death claim.

Eligibility in the Second Year After Death

In the second year, the following individuals are permitted to file a wrongful death claim:

• The surviving spouse
• The deceased’s children
• Both the spouse and children together
• The designated beneficiary along with the children

If the surviving spouse filed suit in the first year, the decedent’s children may join that lawsuit in the second year. Conversely, if the children file a lawsuit first, the surviving spouse or designated beneficiary must join within 90 days if they wish to participate.

New Legislation Effective January 1, 2025, Affecting Eligibility to Bring Wrongful Death Actions in Colorado

Starting January 1, 2025, if the deceased had no spouse, living heirs, or designated beneficiary to file a claim, the deceased’s siblings or those siblings’ heirs may bring a wrongful death action.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Denver?

In Colorado, the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is generally two years from the date of the person’s death. However, this rule has some exceptions, such as cases involving motor vehicle accidents or medical malpractice, which may have shorter time limits.

It’s crucial to consult with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is filed within the applicable statute of limitations. If you fail to file your lawsuit within the required time, you cannot seek compensation for your losses.

How Can an Attorney Help with My Denver Wrongful Death Claim?

An experienced wrongful death attorney can provide invaluable assistance with your claim by: 

• Investigating the Incident: Your attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death to gather evidence and identify the responsible parties.
• Identifying Liable Parties: In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for your loved one’s death. Your attorney will work to identify all potential defendants to maximize your compensation.
• Calculating Damages: Your attorney will calculate the full extent of your losses, including both economic and non-economic damages, to ensure that you receive fair compensation.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often seek to minimize their payouts in wrongful death cases. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurers on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
• Representing You in Court: If the other party or their insurance company won’t offer a fair settlement, your attorney can file a wrongful death lawsuit for you and fight for you in court.

Why Should I Choose Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. to Handle My Denver Wrongful Death Case?

At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal representation to families who lost loved ones due to the negligence or wrongdoing of others.

Our attorneys have a proven track record of success in handling complex wrongful death cases and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

Although our past results don’t guarantee an outcome in your case, you can rest assured we will do all we can to maximize your financial recovery. Our attorneys have decades of combined legal experience, and we have the skills and resources to handle your case effectively and help you get the full and fair compensation you need.

Denver Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to resolve a wrongful death case?

A: How long it takes to resolve a wrongful death case can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the willingness of the responsible parties to settle, and whether the case goes to trial.

We’ve settled some cases in just a few months, but others have taken a year or more, especially cases we’ve taken to trial. We can assess your claim and estimate how long it may take to resolve during our free consultation.

Q: How much is my Denver wrongful death claim worth?

A: The value of your wrongful death claim will depend on various factors, including the circumstances of your loved one’s death, the extent of your losses, and the available insurance coverage or assets of the responsible party.

Your attorney will help you calculate the full extent of your damages, including both economic and non-economic losses, to determine a fair settlement amount.

Q: How much does a Denver wrongful death attorney cost?

A: At Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C., we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t owe any attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

If we win your case, our fees will be a percentage of the total recovery, which will be clearly outlined in your representation agreement.

Contact a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer Today

Denver Wrongful Death Attorney, Franklin D. Azar

If you lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Denver, you deserve justice. Don’t let those responsible for your loved one’s death walk away without holding them accountable.

However, dealing with the loss of a family member is hard enough without the added stress of legal battles. That’s where the services of an experienced Denver wrongful death lawyer come in.

The skilled Denver wrongful death attorneys at Franklin D. Azar & Associates, P.C. will handle your case with care and compassion so you can focus on healing. Time is of the essence in wrongful death cases, so don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact us today at (303) 529-2104 to discuss your options and start building your case.

Franklin D. Azar Accident Lawyers – Denver Office

4704 N Harlan St Suite 205 Denver, CO 80212
P: (303) 529-2104