An experienced Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney will be an important partner as you pursue recovery for a loved one lost to negligence or malice. A lawyer will evaluate your case, collect evidence, build a case against the responsible party, communicate with the defendant, prepare a damages assessment, review settlement offers, and prepare and file all court documents.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible if you have lost a loved one due to some else’s negligence.
Losing a loved one hurts. Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence, on the other hand, often comes as a shock and may leave you wondering what to do next. Does your family deserve compensation? How should you go about seeking it? A Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney can let you know what compensation you deserve and how to go after it.
You should call a Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney if:
You may have the right to file a wrongful death claim if your loved one died in a variety of scenarios, from a car accident to a construction site accident. Losing a loved one can prove devastating, and dealing with the aftermath of that loss is often incredibly complicated. A personal injury lawyer can help walk you through the claim process and give you a better idea of what to expect.
If the insurance company that covers the liable party—or the liable party directly—tries to contact you after your loved one’s death and offer a settlement, make sure you talk to an experienced Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney first. Our wrongful death attorney can help go over the compensation you should expect for the loss of your loved one and give you a better idea of when you might want to accept a settlement.
Wrongful death occurs when someone else’s negligence or malice causes the death of another party. In Colorado, wrongful death claims encompass any occasion when someone died as a direct result of those negligent, careless, or dangerous actions. Wrongful death claims may include:
If you wonder whether you might have grounds for a wrongful death claim, consider whether your loved one could have filed a personal injury claim if they had lived. For example, if your loved one was injured in a car accident, they could file a personal injury claim against the party that caused the accident, and the insurance company would provide financial compensation for their injuries. If your loved one could have filed a personal injury claim if they had lived, you likely have the right to file a wrongful death claim if the injuries from that incident led to their death.
If you have questions about whether you might have grounds to file a wrongful death claim, talk to a Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney to learn more about your family’s rights.
Colorado law notes several conditions that must be true in order for the family of the victim to have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
1. The victim must have died as a direct result of someone else’s negligent actions.
In order to have grounds to file a wrongful death claim, your attorney must show that some person or entity committed an act of negligence that led to your loved one’s death.
2. You must have a direct relationship to the victim.
Generally, the living relative with the closest relationship to the victim will have the first right to file a wrongful death claim. If the victim has a living spouse, it will be the spouse’s responsibility to determine whether to move forward with a wrongful death claim. If the victim was not married when they died, the victim’s children may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. Each child will have the same right to file a claim. On the other hand, if the victim does not have a spouse or children, the victim’s parents may have the right to file a wrongful death claim.
3. Only one wrongful death claim can be filed per incident.
While each of the victim’s living children, assuming that the victim did not have a spouse at the time of their death, may have the same right to file a wrongful death claim, the family can file only one claim for the accident in question—even if more than one party deserves compensation for the death of your loved one. Your family will have to decide how to distribute the funds from that claim between its members.
Generally, the party held responsible for the wrongful death of someone else is the party whose negligent actions caused their death. A Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney will look at several key elements to determine who caused your loved one’s accident.
If you lost a loved one in a serious accident, a Highlands Ranch wrongful death lawyer can help you break down who may share liability for that incident.
Chaput Law is a top-rated Colorado law firm that focuses on personal injury and criminal defense. We represent clients in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.
If you are looking for a Highlands Ranch wrongful death attorney that will help you get the compensation you deserve, look no further.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of settling for a low offer just because you want to get this behind you. You need to fight for your financial well-being, and we can help.
All Consultations Are Free of Charge