Colorado Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Personal injury law, or torts, cover a wide range of both physical and non-physical injuries and losses. Few however are as difficult and tragic as wrongful death cases.

There is no amount of money that can compensate for the loss of a family member or loved one. However, a Denver wrongful death lawyer can be of great help in recovering the loss of financial support that the family member in question provided as well as make certain you are compensated for any medical or funeral as well as counseling, therapy and other expenses.

The Role of the Personal Injury Lawyer

The wrongful death lawyer focuses his/her practice in the area of law known as torts. These laws cover a wide range of personal injuries, not all of which are physical (for example, emotional pain and suffering, loss of property, damage to one's reputation, etc.)

A wrongful death action is usually filed in cases in which the deceased was the victim of an accident due to either:

A)    the negligence or carelessness on the part of the defendant, or

B)    a defective product or service (in which case the company, not an individual, is held responsible)

Denver wrongful death lawyers can also help you when the criminal justice system fails. You may recall that in the mid-1990s, former football player and film actor O.J. Simpson was found 'not guilty' of murdering his ex-wife and her companion, but was later found liable in the course of a civil wrongful death suit. Whereas the verdict in a criminal trial is determined by the principle of 'reasonable doubt,' a judgment in a civil trial is based on a 'preponderance of evidence' - which is a lower standard, making it easier to hold a defendant accountable.

Do Not Delay

If you have lost a loved one or a family member due to the actions or negligence of another, it is important to contact a Denver wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible. Although it is a difficult time, there is a statute of limitations on personal injury cases.

This means that you have only a certain amount of time in which you must file a wrongful death lawsuit or forever forfeit your right to do so. In the state of Colorado, this statute of limitations is two years from the date of the victim's death (three years if a motor vehicle is involved), so do not delay.