Adams County · Wrongful death
Brighton Wrongful Death Lawyers
We handle wrongful-death claims in Brighton with the investigation and care your family's loss demands.
What Makes a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim arises when someone's negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct causes a fatal injury. A crash on U.S. Highway 85, a workplace accident, a medical error at Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital, or unsafe conditions—any act or failure to act that leads to death can ground a legal claim. Colorado law is specific about who may file: a surviving spouse, dependent children, or other dependents, and in some cases the personal representative of the estate.
Timing matters. Colorado imposes strict deadlines to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Adams County Justice Center. We move quickly to secure the scene, obtain surveillance footage, interview witnesses before memories fade, and file the appropriate notice with the Brighton Police Department and Adams County Sheriff's Office records. Early action protects your family's right to recover.
Investigation and Proof
Wrongful death cases live or die on evidence. We obtain the autopsy and medical records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital, accident reports from law enforcement, employment and income documentation, household records showing what the deceased contributed to the family, and testimony from those who knew the deceased and the circumstances. Each piece tells part of the story.
We also work with experts—accident reconstructionists for traffic collisions on I-76 or Bridge Street, medical professionals to explain a fatal illness or injury, economic specialists to quantify lifetime earnings and household services lost. Insurance policies, estate documents, and family testimony round out the foundation we build to prove liability and damages.
Local investigations may involve Brighton Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office, scenes near U.S. Highway 85 or Commerce City, and medical records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital.
Gathering and preserving evidence quickly is critical in wrongful-death claims. Below is what we typically need to build a complete case:
- Scene investigation: photographs, video, witness statements, police reports from Brighton Police Department or Adams County Sheriff's Office, and accident reconstruction (especially important for incidents on U.S. Highway 85, Bridge Street, I-76, or Bromley Lane)
- Medical evidence: autopsy report, hospital records from Intermountain Health Platte Valley Hospital or other treatment providers, and cause-of-death documentation
- Liability evidence: maintenance records, inspection reports, citations, surveillance video, employment records of any responsible party, and prior-incident history
- Decedent's financial records: tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, retirement accounts, and benefits information
- Household-contribution evidence: childcare duties, elder care, home maintenance, meal preparation, and other unpaid services provided by the deceased
- Family losses: documentation of companionship, guidance, mentorship, and grief—often gathered through testimony and family interviews
- Insurance and estate documents: life insurance policies, health insurance, workers' compensation coverage (if applicable), and estate-planning records
- Survival claim records: medical bills, pain and suffering evidence from the period between injury and death, and funeral/burial expenses
Prompt preservation prevents loss or destruction. Contact our Denver office to discuss your case.
Medical Records and Causation
Proving causation in a wrongful death claim often requires medical expertise. We obtain and review all treatment records, emergency-room documentation, and autopsy findings. If the death followed medical negligence, we work with qualified physicians to establish deviation from the standard of care and the direct link to the fatal outcome.
For deaths resulting from accidents, workplace injuries, or exposure to unsafe conditions, we coordinate with medical and scientific experts to connect the responsible party's conduct to the fatal injury. This foundation is essential in settlement negotiations and at trial in Adams County Justice Center.
Official Brighton hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages Your Family May Recover
- Funeral and burial expenses, and reasonable medical and hospital costs incurred before death
- Lost wages, benefits, and lifetime earning capacity the deceased would have provided to dependents
- Reasonable value of household services, childcare, and caregiving the deceased would have performed
- Loss of companionship, guidance, affection, and consortium suffered by the surviving spouse and children
- Pain and suffering of the deceased between injury and death, if applicable under Colorado survival law
- Punitive damages if the defendant's conduct was especially reckless or willful
Adams County Justice Center and Colorado law allow recovery for both financial and emotional losses that surviving family members endure.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Brighton — 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.
Brighton Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful-death claim in Colorado if someone dies from an injury in Brighton?
Colorado law limits who may bring a wrongful-death claim. Generally, the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased have priority, but the rules depend on the family structure. In some cases, the claim must be filed through the estate. Because eligibility is case-specific and the deadline begins running immediately, families should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to confirm who should file and when.
How long do I have to file a wrongful-death lawsuit after someone dies in Brighton or Adams County?
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 does 'economic loss' mean in a wrongful-death case?
Economic loss includes the financial support the deceased would have provided to surviving family members, lost wages over a lifetime, benefits that would have been earned, medical and funeral expenses, and estate administration costs. We use employment history, tax records, and expert analysis to calculate these losses. Families also recover for non-economic losses—grief, loss of companionship, guidance, and mentorship—which we document through family testimony and evidence of the relationship.
Do you charge a fee upfront for handling my wrongful-death claim?
No. McCormick & Murphy handles wrongful-death claims on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Costs advanced to investigate, obtain records, and prepare the case—such as expert fees and court costs—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you in advance.
Do I need to wait for police investigation to finish before contacting a lawyer?
No. In fact, waiting can harm your case. Evidence at the scene, witness memories, and other critical details fade or disappear over time. We can begin our own investigation, preserve evidence, and coordinate with police records from Brighton Police Department or Adams County Sheriff's Office while law-enforcement investigations continue. Early legal action protects your family's rights.
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