City and County of Broomfield · Wrongful death
Broomfield Wrongful Death Lawyers
Fatal injury in Broomfield or nearby areas? We investigate and help your family recover under Colorado wrongful-death law.
Wrongful Death: What You Need to Know
A wrongful-death claim in Colorado allows certain family members—typically spouses, children, and parents of an adult—to sue when someone dies because of another person's negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. The death may result from a traffic collision on U.S. Highway 36 or 120th Avenue, a workplace accident, a fall, medical error at UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, or any other incident caused by someone else. Colorado law sets strict time limits on filing, so prompt action is essential.
Our firm moves quickly to gather evidence before it disappears or becomes harder to obtain. We work with medical examiners, police reports from the Broomfield Police Department, witness statements, and expert analysis to build a complete picture. We also coordinate with the estate if necessary and ensure that all proper claimants understand their rights and the process ahead.
Gathering and Preserving Critical Evidence
In a wrongful-death case, the evidence must show not only what happened but also why the defendant bears responsibility. We obtain police reports, medical records from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, autopsy findings, photographs of the scene, and testimony from people who witnessed the incident or know the circumstances. We also work with accident reconstructionists, engineers, or medical experts when the facts require specialized analysis.
Equally important are the records that document the financial and personal loss: employment history, tax returns, household bills, family photographs, letters from friends and colleagues, and testimony about the person's role in the family and community. These materials help prove both the economic damages—lost wages, medical costs, funeral expenses—and the non-economic losses of love, guidance, and companionship that the family will never recover.
Local investigations may involve Broomfield Police Department, scenes near U.S. Highway 36 or Westminster, and medical records from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital.
When a death results from someone else's negligence or wrongful conduct, Colorado law allows certain family members to seek compensation. Building a strong claim requires prompt collection and preservation of evidence. Here is what to gather:
- Incident and Scene Documentation
- Police report from Broomfield Police Department
- Photographs or video of the accident scene
- Witness statements and contact information
- Any traffic or surveillance footage (from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital area, nearby businesses, or roadway cameras on U.S. Highway 36, 120th Avenue, or Colorado Highway 121)
- Weather and lighting conditions at time of incident
- Medical and Autopsy Records
- Complete autopsy report
- Medical records from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital or other treating facilities
- Toxicology and pathology findings
- Cause and manner of death determination
- Defendant's Conduct Records
- Driver records or employment history (if vehicle-related)
- Maintenance or inspection records (if property or equipment involved)
- Prior complaints or violations related to the defendant's conduct
- Communications (emails, texts, messages) showing negligence or recklessness
- Decedent's Financial and Personal Records
- Recent tax returns and W-2s (last 2–3 years)
- Pay stubs and earnings statements
- Employer verification of income and benefits
- Household expense records and bills
- Evidence of unpaid services (childcare, household maintenance, yard work)
- Social Security earnings record
- Family and Household Impact Records
- Documentation of the deceased's role in the household (care of children, elderly parents, spouse)
- School or daycare records for dependent children
- Photos and communications showing family relationships and daily activities
- Medical or therapy records for family members affected by the loss
- Evidence of lost companionship, guidance, and emotional support
- Insurance and Estate Documents
- Life insurance policies
- Health insurance information
- Homeowner's or auto insurance policies
- Will, trust, or probate documents
- Mortgage and bank statements
- Debt obligations (loans, credit card balances)
- Expert and Legal Documentation
- Accident reconstruction reports (if applicable)
- Medical causation opinions
- Economic loss calculations and life expectancy data
- Court filings and legal deadlines specific to Broomfield Combined Courts
Medical and Investigative Records
We request and review all medical records related to the fatal injury, including emergency-room documents from UCHealth Broomfield Hospital, autopsy reports, and any prior medical history that is relevant to causation. We also consult with medical experts to explain how the injury caused death and to counter any argument that the deceased bore responsibility for their own fate.
Investigative records include the police report filed by the Broomfield Police Department, any dash-camera or surveillance video, scene photographs, toxicology results, and statements given to law enforcement. We file formal records requests under Colorado public-records law and work with our investigator to interview witnesses and gather statements before memories fade.
Official Broomfield hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Recovering Economic and Non-Economic Damages
- Lost wages and earning capacity: the income the deceased would have earned over their remaining work life, plus benefits
- Medical and funeral expenses: hospital bills, emergency care, autopsy costs, funeral and burial or cremation charges
- Loss of companionship and guidance: compensation for the surviving family's loss of the person's love, advice, and presence
- Loss of household services: the value of cooking, cleaning, childcare, yard work, and other tasks the deceased provided
- Grief and emotional suffering: recognition of the severe and lasting emotional pain to surviving spouse, children, and parents
- Survival claim: any damages the deceased could have recovered if they had lived (medical costs and pain before death)
Cases brought before Broomfield Combined Courts or in federal court on diversity grounds may recover exemplary damages if the defendant's conduct was especially reckless or malicious.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Broomfield — 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.
Broomfield Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law is specific about who has standing to bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased may recover for their own losses. If there is no spouse or children, parents may recover. In some cases, other family members or the estate may participate. The rules depend on the family structure. This is why we recommend a prompt case review to confirm who should be named as a claimant in Broomfield Combined Courts.
How soon do we need to file a wrongful death claim after a death in Broomfield?
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 wrongful death compensation include?
Wrongful death damages in Colorado include both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses cover the income and financial support the deceased would have provided, medical and funeral expenses, and loss of household services. Non-economic damages compensate for grief, loss of companionship, loss of parental guidance, and loss of society. We also evaluate whether there is a separate survival claim for the deceased's pain and suffering before death. All of these categories require careful documentation and proof, which is why early investigation is important.
What does McCormick & Murphy charge to handle a wrongful death case?
We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win at trial. You do not pay us unless we recover compensation for your family. Separately, we may advance case costs—such as investigation, expert reports, court filing fees, and UCHealth Broomfield Hospital record retrieval. Those costs are tracked and deducted from any recovery, but you are never responsible for them out of pocket if the case does not succeed.
Why is immediate investigation critical in a wrongful death case?
Evidence fades quickly. Witnesses move, memories blur, and accident scenes change. Physical evidence on U.S. Highway 36, 120th Avenue, or other Broomfield roads may be cleared or altered. Video from nearby businesses or traffic cameras may be overwritten. Medical records and autopsy findings must be requested promptly. The sooner we begin an investigation—securing police reports from Broomfield Police Department, preserving video, interviewing witnesses, and gathering the deceased's financial and personal records—the stronger your claim becomes. Early action also helps ensure we meet Colorado's legal deadlines.
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