Arapahoe County · Wrongful death
Centennial Wrongful Death Lawyers
Lost a loved one in Centennial? We handle wrongful death claims with urgency and care to recover what your family deserves.
Why Wrongful Death Claims Matter
Colorado law limits who may file a wrongful-death claim and sets strict deadlines. The claim belongs to the estate or, in some cases, directly to surviving spouses, children, or parents. We determine the proper claimants, coordinate with estate representatives when needed, and file suit within the required window. Delay or missteps can bar recovery entirely.
Proving wrongful death requires showing that the responsible party's negligence or misconduct caused the fatal injury. This goes beyond the crash report or initial investigation. We gather employment records, witness statements, medical findings, and other evidence that establishes both duty and causation. At the Arapahoe County Justice Center, we present a complete picture of how the death occurred and who is responsible.
Building Your Case
Evidence in a wrongful-death case spans investigation files from the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, autopsy and hospital records from AdventHealth Littleton and other providers, employment and tax documentation, and household-contribution evidence that shows what the deceased provided to the family. We also gather insurance policies, estate documents, and any survival claim records—which allow recovery for pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death.
Family testimony is often the most powerful evidence. Spouses, children, and parents describe the relationship, daily care and companionship, financial support, and the particular losses their household now faces. We coordinate discovery, depositions, and expert reports to establish both the liability of the defendant and the full scope of damages. Early investigation—especially preservation of electronic records and accident scene evidence—often makes the difference.
Local investigations may involve Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, scenes near E-470 or Greenwood Village, and medical records from AdventHealth Littleton.
Wrongful death cases require proof of who was responsible, how their actions caused the death, who has the legal right to file, and what losses the family suffered. Here is what to gather and preserve:
- Scene and accident investigation reports (police, fire, or emergency responders)
- Autopsy report and cause-of-death findings from the medical examiner
- Medical records from emergency care and any hospitalization (AdventHealth Littleton or other facility)
- Photographs or videos of the scene, vehicles, roadway conditions on E-470, Arapahoe Road, University Boulevard, or I-25 (if applicable)
- Witness statements and contact information
- Employment records, tax returns, and pay stubs showing the deceased's income and household contributions
- Evidence of unpaid household work, childcare, or elder care the deceased provided
- Testimony from family members about companionship, guidance, and emotional support lost
- Medical and life insurance policies naming beneficiaries
- Estate documents, will, or probate filings with Arapahoe County Justice Center
- Communications (texts, emails, photos) showing family relationships and daily life
- Any prior complaints, citations, or warnings against the responsible party
- Expert reports (accident reconstruction, medical causation, economist) if needed
Preserving this evidence quickly is critical. Colorado law sets strict deadlines based on the cause of death and family relationships. Contact our office for a prompt case review.
Medical Records and Autopsy Findings
Autopsy and medical records from AdventHealth Littleton or other Arapahoe County facilities form the foundation of causation. These records show the injury pattern, time of death, and contributing factors. We obtain and analyze these records promptly, often with input from medical experts who can testify about the fatal injury and whether earlier intervention might have changed the outcome.
Survival claims—which recover for the deceased's conscious pain and suffering between injury and death—depend heavily on medical documentation. We review treatment records, pain medications, length of hospitalization, and any statements by medical staff. This evidence quantifies the non-economic loss the deceased experienced and strengthens the overall value of the claim.
Official Centennial hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages Recovered in Wrongful Death
- Lost wages, benefits, and earning potential the deceased would have provided to the family over their remaining working years
- Cost of household services the deceased performed—cooking, childcare, maintenance, and other contributions now lost
- Medical and funeral expenses arising from the fatal injury
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support suffered by the surviving spouse, children, or parents
- Pain and suffering of the deceased between injury and death (survival claim)
- Any punitive damages if the defendant's conduct was willful or reckless
We pursue these damages through negotiation and, when necessary, trial at the Arapahoe County Justice Center. Your family's recovery depends on clear proof and persistent advocacy.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Centennial — 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.
Centennial Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law prioritizes certain family members. Generally, a surviving spouse, children, or parents of an adult may file. If there is no surviving spouse or children, more distant relatives may have a claim. The right to file depends on the specific family structure. You need a lawyer to determine who has standing under Colorado law and whether filing through the estate or as a family member is the right approach.
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 kinds of losses can we recover in a wrongful death case?
Colorado allows recovery for economic losses—lost wages, medical bills, and funeral costs—and non-economic losses such as the pain of losing companionship, guidance, and emotional support. If the deceased suffered before death, there may also be a 'survival claim' for that pain and suffering. An attorney will help identify all losses and document them with pay stubs, medical records, and family testimony.
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 is won. You pay nothing upfront for our legal work. However, there are separate case costs—such as expert fees, court filings, and investigation expenses—that may be due as the case progresses. We explain all costs clearly before you decide to proceed.
What should we do immediately after a death that may be wrongful?
First, preserve all evidence. Do not allow accident scenes to be cleaned or vehicles to be scrapped. Obtain copies of police reports from the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, medical records from AdventHealth Littleton or the hospital involved, and witness contact information. Write down everything you remember about what happened. Then contact our office for a confidential consultation. Early investigation often makes the strongest cases.
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