Are you grieving the unexpected death of a family member because of a recent accident in Boulder, Colorado? Don’t hesitate to call Ferrell Injury Law at (720) 687-2795 for a free consultation. Your family may be entitled to compensation for your loss, and our Boulder wrongful death lawyer can help you fight for justice.
Working with our legal team can be the difference between a nominal settlement and the life-changing monetary award your family deserves. We provide compassionate, personalized guidance while aggressively pursuing the full compensation your family is owed.
Why Choose Ferrell Injury Law for Help After a Fatal Accident in Boulder, CO?
In the aftermath of a tragic loss, Ferrell Injury Law provides dedicated, results-driven representation tailored to your family’s needs. Our Boulder personal injury lawyer understands the emotional and financial burdens that follow a wrongful death and is committed to guiding you through every step with experience, strong advocacy, and strategic legal insight.
Led by attorney Michael Ferrell, our firm is known for both outstanding client service and proven results.
He has earned recognition as a:
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 litigator
- Avvo Clients’ Choice Award recipient
- Member of the American Association for Justice
- Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
While insurance companies prioritize their own bottom line, our team is focused solely on securing the justice and compensation your family deserves. Contact an experienced Boulder wrongful death attorney today for a free consultation.
Understanding Wrongful Death in Colorado
If your spouse were injured in a car accident in Boulder due to someone else’s negligence, they would have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. If those injuries proved fatal, that right does not disappear—it transfers to certain surviving family members under Colorado’s wrongful death laws.
Under Colorado law, a wrongful death claim may be brought when a person’s death is caused by another party’s wrongful act, negligence, or misconduct, and the deceased would have been entitled to file a personal injury claim had they survived.
However, not everyone is eligible to file this type of claim. In Colorado, the surviving spouse typically has the exclusive right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit during the first year following the individual’s passing. The spouse may also provide written permission for another eligible family member—such as a child—to file. During the second year, the right to bring a claim may extend to additional heirs.
In cases involving the death of a child, the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit generally belongs to the child’s parent or parents.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
A death can be considered “wrongful” under Colorado law if it results from an act of negligence, an intentionally harmful act, a failure to act, or a defective product.
At Ferrell Injury Law, we have extensive experience representing families who’ve lost loved ones because of:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Uber and Lyft rideshare accidents
- E-scooter accidents
- Bus accidents
- Train accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Boating accidents
- RV accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Matters of premises liability
- Assault
- Sexual assault
- Defective products
- Ski and snowboard accidents
It’ll be important for you to work with a law firm that has hands-on experience and a proven ability to win complex cases just like yours. Our Colorado personal injury attorney is well-versed in wrongful death laws and procedures and has an established ability to stand up to powerful corporations on behalf of grieving families. Focus on remembering your loved one, and count on us to handle the rest.
What’s My Family’s Wrongful Death Claim Worth?
Every wrongful death case is different, so there’s no set value for a claim. The amount your family may recover depends on how your loved one’s death has affected your life, both financially and emotionally.
Some of the main factors include:
- Your loved one’s income and future earning potential
- How much your family depended on them financially
- Their role in the household and family life
- The long-term impact on your financial security, including benefits or inheritance
- Your relationship with your loved one
- Whether they shared any responsibility for the accident
- Available insurance coverage
- Whether the death resulted from intentional harm
In general, the greater the impact on your family’s finances and quality of life, the higher the potential value of your claim. Insurance companies often try to settle for less than you deserve, so understanding these factors can help you pursue fair compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available in a Boulder Wrongful Death Case?
Under Colorado law, the plaintiff in a wrongful death action can request two primary types of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are paid to offset the verifiable financial consequences of a person’s premature death, such as:
- Lost financial support, including wages and other business income
- Lost benefits, including retirement and healthcare
- Medical bills for care provided before the decedent passed away
- Funeral and/or burial expenses
Non-economic damages are awarded to compensate the plaintiff for the harder-to-value suffering they’ve experienced because of the decedent’s passing, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of parental guidance
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship and care
Punitive (or “exemplary”) damages can sometimes be awarded in Colorado wrongful death cases, but only when there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted intentionally or with gross negligence.
How Can the Decedent’s Shared Fault Affect a Colorado Wrongful Death Settlement?
Colorado’s modified comparative negligence doctrine applies to most personal injury cases, including those related to wrongful death.
Under the law, a decedent’s shared fault can limit a family’s ability to recover compensation in a related wrongful death lawsuit. If the decedent’s contributory fault is equal to or greater than 50 percent, damages can be barred. If the decedent’s contributory fault doesn’t meet this threshold, damages are reduced proportionately to fault.
What Does it Cost to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Boulder?
Our Boulder wrongful death attorney represents Colorado families on a contingency fee basis. It costs nothing to hire our law firm until we’ve won compensation for your wrongful death case.
We front the costs of litigation. We only get paid once we’ve obtained a settlement or won a verdict for you at trial. Our fees are a percentage of your financial award. If we don’t win, you owe us absolutely nothing.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Colorado?
Once someone you love has died in an accident in Boulder, CO, you’ll have up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The two-year statute of limitations begins on the date they passed away, which might not be the same as the date they were involved in an accident.
You’ll forfeit the right to demand compensation from a negligent party or insurance company once the statute of limitations runs out.
What to Do After Losing a Loved One in a Boulder Accident
In the days and weeks following a tragic loss, it can be difficult to know what steps to take. While nothing can ease the pain of your loss, taking certain actions can help protect your family’s legal rights and future.
It’s important to:
- Seek emotional support from trusted family members, friends, or counselors
- Obtain a copy of the official accident or incident report
- Preserve any evidence related to the accident, if possible
- Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney
- Keep records of expenses, including medical bills and funeral costs
- Contact an experienced wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible
Taking these steps can help strengthen your case and ensure your family is in the best position to pursue fair compensation moving forward.
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help Your Family
Navigating a wrongful death claim can be incredibly difficult, especially during a time of grief. An experienced wrongful death lawyer can manage the legal process on your behalf and advocate for your family’s best interests every step of the way.
They can help by:
- Investigating the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death
- Gathering and preserving critical evidence
- Identifying all liable parties
- Handling communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- Calculating the full value of your damages
- Preparing your case for trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered
By trusting a skilled attorney with your case, you can focus on healing while we fight to secure the justice and compensation your family deserves.
Schedule a Free Case Review With an Experienced Boulder Wrongful Death Lawyer
Attorney Michael Ferrell has built his career on advocating for injured individuals and their families, securing substantial results for clients across Colorado. With extensive trial experience, he is prepared to stand up for your family when it matters most.
During this difficult time, Ferrell Injury Law is here to provide guidance, support, and strong legal representation. Contact our Boulder wrongful death attorney to discuss your case. Your initial consultation is completely free.
