Jefferson County · Wrongful death
Lakewood Wrongful Death Lawyers
We help Lakewood families investigate fatal injuries, prove liability, and recover damages for negligent death.
What Makes a Wrongful-Death Claim
A wrongful-death claim arises when someone dies because of another person's or entity's negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct. In Lakewood, whether the fatal incident occurred on U.S. Highway 6, West Colfax Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard, or elsewhere in Jefferson County, Colorado law sets strict rules about who may file and the time limits in which to act. We determine whether you are a proper claimant—typically a spouse, parent of a minor, or adult child—and whether the facts support liability before the statute of limitations closes the courthouse door.
Prompt investigation is critical. Evidence at the scene, witness statements, medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or other treatment facilities, and reports from the Lakewood Police Department can fade or be lost. We move quickly to preserve photographs, video, phone records, and other proof that establishes how the death occurred and who is legally responsible. Your family's grief is real; the law requires us to prove it too.
Building Your Wrongful-Death Case
We gather and analyze investigation files, police reports, autopsy findings, and medical examiner records to establish the sequence of events leading to death. We obtain employment records, tax returns, and household-contribution evidence to quantify what the deceased earned or contributed. Insurance policies, property records, and any estate documents help us understand the full scope of your family's financial loss and the decedent's role in your household.
Family testimony is powerful. We listen to spouses, parents, siblings, and children describe the daily presence, guidance, love, and support they have lost. We also consult medical experts to confirm causation and reconstruct the final injury or illness, ensuring that every element of proof stands up in Jefferson County Courts in Golden or, if necessary, in negotiation with liable parties and their insurers.
Local investigations may involve Lakewood Police Department, scenes near U.S. Highway 6 or Golden, and medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital.
Wrongful death cases require swift action to preserve evidence and establish liability. If someone has died in Lakewood due to another's negligence or wrongful conduct, gathering the following evidence early protects your family's legal rights:
- Scene investigation and police reports from Lakewood Police Department
- Autopsy and medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or the medical examiner
- Witness statements from people present at the incident
- Photographs or video of the location, vehicle damage, or accident site
- Employment records and tax returns showing the deceased's income and household contributions
- Medical bills and funeral expenses
- Insurance policies (auto, homeowner, business, or life insurance)
- Proof of family relationships and who qualifies as a surviving family member under Colorado law
- Evidence of the deceased's role in household tasks, childcare, and companionship
- Estate documents and probate filings if applicable
- Accident reconstruction reports (for vehicle collisions on U.S. Highway 6, West Colfax Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard, or Kipling Street)
- Cell phone or communication records if distraction or impairment is involved
Preserving this evidence quickly prevents loss or destruction. Contact McCormick & Murphy promptly to review your case and protect your family's claim.
Medical Evidence and Causation
Proving that the defendant's conduct caused the death requires clear medical evidence. We work with medical professionals to review emergency-department records, surgical notes, imaging studies, and pathology reports. If the death occurred following treatment at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or another facility, we evaluate whether medical care met the standard of care and whether any negligence contributed to the fatal outcome.
Autopsy reports and the medical examiner's findings are often central to our investigation. We interpret these findings for judges and juries, showing how the injury or condition caused by the wrongful act led directly to death. This chain of causation—linking the defendant's breach of duty to the fatal result—is essential to recovery in Lakewood and across Jefferson County.
Official Lakewood hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages Available in Wrongful-Death Claims
- Lost wages and earnings the deceased would have provided to the family over their remaining lifetime
- Medical and funeral expenses paid as a result of the fatal injury or illness
- Loss of companionship, guidance, love, and emotional support experienced by surviving spouses, parents, and children
- Loss of household services and parental care that the deceased contributed
- Pre-death pain and suffering if the deceased survived for a period after the injury
- Any survival-act damages available to the deceased's estate before death occurred
These damages are recoverable in a settlement, jury verdict, or judgment in Jefferson County Courts or through alternative resolution, and we fight to ensure your family is fairly compensated for every loss.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lakewood — 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.
Lakewood Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Lakewood?
Colorado law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may file, but only the personal representative of the estate can bring the suit. If there is no will or estate proceedings have not begun, that person must be appointed. Some cases also allow surviving family members to pursue a separate survival claim if the deceased suffered before death. Because the rules are specific and fact-dependent, your family should have a lawyer review who qualifies in your situation right away.
What is the deadline to file a wrongful death claim in Colorado?
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 damages can be recovered in a wrongful death case?
Colorado allows recovery for economic losses such as lost wages, lost household services, medical expenses, and funeral costs. The law also recognizes non-economic damages for the grief, loss of companionship, and loss of guidance that the family suffered as a result of the death. A survival claim—if available—may also recover medical bills or pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death. The total amount depends on the deceased's age, earning capacity, health, and family circumstances. An experienced attorney will help identify all available damages in your case.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a wrongful death case?
McCormick & Murphy handles wrongful death claims on a contingency-fee basis. That means the firm does not charge an upfront attorney fee; instead, we earn a fee only if the case is settled or won at trial. Any advanced case costs—such as investigation, medical records, expert fees, or court filing fees—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you in advance. You should understand both the contingency percentage and the cost structure before we move forward.
Why is it important to act quickly after a wrongful death in Lakewood?
Evidence can disappear or be destroyed if not preserved right away. The Lakewood Police Department, CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital, and other agencies hold records that may be released, altered, or deleted after a certain time. Witnesses move away or forget details. Accident scenes are cleared, repaired, or changed. A prompt investigation by your attorney protects the family's ability to prove liability and recover fair compensation. Additionally, Colorado's deadlines for filing wrongful death claims are strict, so waiting too long can cost your family the right to sue. Call McCormick & Murphy as soon as you can.
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