Boulder and Weld counties · Wrongful death
Longmont Wrongful Death Lawyers
Longmont family lost someone to negligence? We pursue full recovery and honor your loved one's memory.
How Wrongful-Death Claims Work
Colorado law limits who may file a wrongful-death claim and sets strict time limits. Generally, the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may bring a claim, often through the estate. We help families understand their rights under Colorado law and identify the proper claimants. Our office in Denver serves Longmont and the surrounding area, including Boulder, Loveland, Lafayette, Erie, and Firestone.
We begin by investigating the circumstances of the death: examining police reports from Longmont Public Safety and the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, reviewing medical records from UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital, and interviewing witnesses. Early action protects evidence and can be critical in establishing liability. We work with your family to understand what happened and to build a clear record of the responsible party's conduct.
Evidence We Preserve and Gather
Wrongful-death cases require detailed proof of how the death occurred, who was responsible, and what losses the family has endured. We secure investigation files, police reports, autopsy findings, and medical records. We also obtain employment records, tax returns, and documentation of household contributions to show the financial impact of the loss.
Equally important is evidence of non-economic harm: letters from family members, photographs, testimony about the relationship between the deceased and survivors, and expert accounts of grief and lost companionship. We may also identify a survival claim—compensation for pain and suffering the deceased experienced between injury and death. All evidence is preserved for potential litigation in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts.
Local investigations may involve Longmont Public Safety and Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, scenes near U.S. Highway 287 or Boulder, and medical records from UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital.
After a fatal injury in Longmont or the surrounding Boulder and Weld County area, preserving evidence quickly is critical. Our team works to secure:
- Scene photographs and incident reports from Longmont Public Safety or Boulder County Sheriff's Office
- Medical records and autopsy findings from UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital or the coroner
- Police reports, witness statements, and any traffic citations (especially for incidents on U.S. Highway 287, Colorado Highway 119, Hover Street, or Ken Pratt Boulevard)
- Employment records, tax returns, and household-contribution documentation showing the deceased's financial support
- Insurance policies, pension records, and benefit statements
- Family testimony regarding companionship, guidance, and emotional loss
- Estate documents and any existing will or trust
- Communications (emails, texts, photos) that show the family relationship and daily care
- Medical history and life-expectancy records
- Any survival-action evidence (pain, suffering, or medical costs the deceased incurred before death)
Proof of the responsible party's negligence or wrongful conduct is also essential. We coordinate with the estate representative when needed and work to document both the financial and human losses your family has suffered.
Medical Records and Causation
The medical examiner's findings and hospital records are central to proving that the defendant's conduct caused the death. We review autopsy reports, emergency-department notes from UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital, and any prior medical history to establish a clear chain of causation. We work with medical experts when necessary to explain how the injury led to death and to refute any claim that pre-existing conditions were solely responsible.
In some cases, the defendant argues that the deceased's own actions or medical vulnerabilities broke the chain of causation. We prepare detailed medical and factual arguments to counter those defenses. Our goal is to present a compelling, evidence-based account of how and why the death occurred.
Official Longmont hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
What We Seek to Recover
- Medical and emergency expenses incurred before death
- Lost wages and earning capacity the deceased would have provided
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support to spouses, children, and parents
- Loss of household services and care the deceased provided
- Pain and suffering of the deceased between injury and death (survival claim)
Damages are calculated based on the specific losses your family endured, and the case may be tried before a jury in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts if settlement negotiations do not resolve the claim.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Longmont — 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.
Longmont Wrongful death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful-death claim in Colorado on behalf of my family?
Colorado law defines who may bring a wrongful-death action. Generally, the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may file, or the personal representative (executor) of the estate may file on behalf of the heirs. The specific rule depends on the family structure and who the deceased's dependents were. We review your situation to confirm who has the legal right to pursue the claim and whether filing through the estate is necessary.
How much time do I have to file a wrongful-death claim after a fatal injury in Longmont?
Colorado wrongful-death law sets a deadline. Claims must be filed within two years. Because deadlines are strict and case-specific, we strongly recommend contacting us promptly after a fatal injury so we can review your situation and ensure you do not miss the filing deadline.
What losses can a wrongful-death claim cover?
Wrongful-death claims can include economic losses—such as lost wages, benefits, medical and funeral expenses, and household services the deceased provided—as well as non-economic losses like the grief, companionship, and guidance the surviving family members have lost. Some cases also include a survival claim for pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death. We document both types of loss to build a complete picture of your family's harm.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge for a wrongful-death case?
We handle wrongful-death claims on a contingency-fee basis. That means we earn an attorney fee only if your case is settled or won at trial. You do not pay an upfront legal fee. Out-of-pocket case costs—such as investigation, records retrieval, and expert fees—are separate from the attorney fee and are discussed with you before they are incurred.
What role does the estate play in a wrongful-death case?
The personal representative of the estate (often named in the deceased's will or appointed by the court) manages the legal claim on behalf of the heirs and the estate. We coordinate with the estate representative to preserve evidence, file necessary documents in Boulder County Justice Center or Weld County Combined Courts, and ensure that all heirs' interests are properly represented. In some cases, we work directly with the family; in others, the estate representative is the formal party to the lawsuit.
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