Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties · Wrongful death
Aurora Wrongful Death Lawyers
After a fatal Aurora crash, we preserve evidence and secure the financial recovery your family deserves.
What Makes a Wrongful-Death Claim in Aurora
Colorado law allows certain family members to file a wrongful-death lawsuit when someone dies as a result of another person's negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. In Aurora, crashes on busy corridors like East Colfax Avenue and E-470 can result from speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, or failure to yield. We investigate the scene, obtain police reports from the Aurora Police Department, and identify the conduct that caused the death.
Timing matters. Colorado sets strict deadlines for filing a wrongful-death claim, and evidence can disappear if not preserved quickly. We move fast to secure witness statements, traffic-camera footage, vehicle data, and maintenance records. We also work with the estate administrator when necessary, ensuring the claim is filed by the proper claimant under Colorado law.
How We Prove Liability and Damages in Aurora Wrongful-Death Cases
Liability depends on proving that the at-fault driver or property owner breached a duty and caused the death. We gather investigation files, police reports, crash-reconstruction analysis, medical records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus, and any autopsy findings. We interview witnesses, review cell-phone and vehicle-data records, and examine road conditions. If the crash occurred at a dangerous intersection or on a road with a history of accidents, we document that context.
Damages require careful documentation. We collect employment and tax records, household-contribution evidence, family testimony, insurance policies, and estate documents. These show not only the financial losses—lost wages, medical bills, funeral costs—but also the non-economic harm: the loss of companionship, guidance, love, and the future the family will never have. Colorado courts understand that a child's loss of a parent, or a spouse's loss of a partner, cannot be reduced to a single number, yet the law requires us to present that proof clearly and compassionately.
Local investigations may involve Aurora Police Department, scenes near East Colfax Avenue or Centennial, and medical records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
A wrongful death claim requires proof of who is responsible, how the death was caused, and what the family lost. We gather:
- Police report and investigation file from the Aurora Police Department
- Autopsy report and medical records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus or the medical examiner
- Scene photographs, witness statements, and evidence preservation (especially for crashes on East Colfax Avenue, E-470, Parker Road, or I-225)
- Employment and tax records showing the deceased's income and household contributions
- Testimony from family members about companionship, caregiving, and daily relationships
- Insurance policies, bank statements, and proof of funeral and medical expenses
- Estate documents and court filings
- Expert analysis of liability and causation when needed
Timing matters. Colorado law sets strict deadlines for who may file and when. We start investigation immediately to preserve evidence and establish the proper claimants under Colorado wrongful-death law.
Medical Records and the Role of the Autopsy
An autopsy and medical examiner's findings are central to a wrongful-death claim. They establish the cause of death and link it directly to the crash injuries. Records from UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital on the Anschutz Medical Campus or other emergency facilities document the severity of injuries, emergency-room findings, and any treatment attempted. We obtain these records promptly and work with medical experts to explain them to a jury or adjuster.
We also review pre-existing health conditions and any argument that the deceased was partially at fault. Colorado recognizes comparative negligence, which can reduce a recovery if the deceased bore some responsibility. Our investigation and medical experts address these issues head-on, so your claim is not undermined by gaps in the record.
Official Aurora hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Recoverable Losses in an Aurora Wrongful-Death Case
- Lost wages and earning capacity: the income the deceased would have earned over their working lifetime
- Medical and funeral expenses: emergency care, hospital bills, autopsy fees, and burial or cremation costs
- Loss of companionship and society: the bond between the deceased and spouse, children, or parents, and the comfort that relationship provided
- Loss of parental guidance and instruction: when a parent dies, the children's loss of teaching, discipline, and moral support
- Loss of household services: the value of cooking, cleaning, childcare, home maintenance, and other work the deceased performed
- Grief and mental anguish: the emotional suffering of surviving family members
These damages may be awarded by a jury at trial in Arapahoe County Justice Center or the court serving the county where the crash occurred, or negotiated in a settlement with insurance carriers.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Aurora — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Aurora Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, a surviving spouse, children, or parents—and sometimes the estate on behalf of those people—may file. The answer depends on the deceased's family structure. We review your family's situation to identify the proper claimants and the right legal path. Contact us promptly so we can advise you on your specific deadline and eligibility.
How long do we have to file a wrongful death claim?
Colorado wrongful-death law sets a deadline. Claims must be filed within two years. Because deadlines are case-specific, your family should contact us promptly for a detailed review. Waiting too long can result in losing the right to recover.
What losses can we recover in a wrongful death case?
Wrongful death damages include the deceased's lost wages, medical and funeral expenses, and lost inheritance. You may also recover for the loss of companionship, guidance, care, and comfort that the family members would have received. Some cases include a survival claim for the deceased's own pain and suffering before death. We document both the financial losses and the human losses in your family's situation.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for wrongful death cases?
We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if your case settles or we win at trial. You pay nothing upfront for our legal work. Advanced case costs—such as expert fees, court filing fees, and investigator expenses—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you as the case develops.
How quickly should we start investigating after a death in Aurora?
Start investigation immediately. Evidence at the scene, witness memories, and medical records fade quickly. Police reports and hospital files must be requested early. If the death involved a crash on I-225, E-470, East Colfax Avenue, or Parker Road, scene evidence is critical. Colorado's deadline rules also require prompt action. Call us as soon as you can so we preserve evidence and move forward with a case-specific legal review.
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