El Paso County · Wrongful death
Manitou Springs Wrongful Death Lawyers
Wrongful death in Manitou Springs: We investigate fatal injuries and help families recover.
When a Death Results from Another's Conduct
A wrongful-death claim arises when someone dies as a direct result of another person's or entity's negligence, recklessness, or intentional act. In Manitou Springs and El Paso County, these cases include fatal motor-vehicle crashes on U.S. Highway 24 or Manitou Avenue, workplace accidents, medical errors, and other preventable injuries. Colorado law limits who may file suit—typically the surviving spouse, children, or parents—and imposes strict time limits. Our firm investigates the facts, identifies the responsible party, and prepares the evidence needed to prove liability.
Establishing wrongful death requires more than showing someone died. We must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty to the deceased, breached that duty, and caused the fatal injury. We work with the Manitou Springs Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff's Office records, consult medical experts about the cause of death, and review all available evidence. Time is critical: evidence can disappear, memories fade, and Colorado's statute of limitations is unforgiving. We move quickly to preserve witness statements, physical evidence, and expert findings.
Gathering and Preserving the Evidence
A thorough wrongful-death investigation begins immediately. We obtain police and incident reports, secure medical records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central and other providers, review employment and tax documents to establish the deceased's financial contributions, and identify expert witnesses. Photographs, surveillance footage, and scene documentation are often critical. We also preserve communications—text messages, emails, and witness statements—that might otherwise be lost or destroyed.
Family testimony is central to wrongful-death cases. Surviving spouses, children, and parents can describe the deceased's role in household finances, childcare, emotional support, and companionship. Insurance policies, wills, trusts, and estate documents help establish both the economic losses and the proper claimants under Colorado law. We coordinate with the estate's personal representative when necessary and ensure all evidence is organized and ready for settlement negotiation or trial at El Paso County Combined Courts.
Local investigations may involve Manitou Springs Police Department and El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, scenes near U.S. Highway 24 or Colorado Springs, and medical records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs.
Wrongful death cases require a full record of both the incident and the losses your family has suffered. Start gathering these materials as soon as possible.
- Police reports and incident scene photos from Manitou Springs Police Department or El Paso County Sheriff's Office
- Autopsy report and medical records from UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central or other treating providers
- Toxicology results and cause-of-death documentation
- Vehicle damage photos and accident reconstruction (if vehicle-related on U.S. Highway 24, Manitou Avenue, or other local roads)
- Witness statements collected at the scene or during investigation
- Employment records, pay stubs, and tax returns showing household income lost
- Receipts and testimony documenting household services (childcare, cooking, yard work, etc.)
- Medical bills, funeral expenses, and probate or estate administration costs
- Life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and beneficiary designations
- Family photos, letters, and testimony describing companionship, guidance, and emotional support lost
- Estate documents or filings in El Paso County Combined Courts
- Communications with the at-fault party's insurance company
Proper documentation of both economic and non-economic damages strengthens your case significantly.
Medical Causation and the Cause of Death
Proving that the defendant's conduct caused the death often requires expert medical testimony. We retain physicians, pathologists, accident reconstructionists, and other specialists to analyze the autopsy findings, emergency-room records, and toxicology results. These experts must establish a clear causal chain: the defendant's act, the injury suffered, and the fatal outcome. Colorado courts require this medical causation to be proven to a reasonable degree of medical certainty.
We also review any survival claims—the deceased's own pain and suffering before death—which are separate from the wrongful-death damages recovered by the family. This requires careful examination of hospital records, treatment timelines, and any evidence of the deceased's consciousness and suffering. Our medical and legal analysis informs both settlement demands and trial strategy.
Official Manitou Springs hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Economic and Non-Economic Losses the Family May Recover
- Lost wages and future earnings the deceased would have provided to the family
- Loss of household services, including childcare, cooking, cleaning, and maintenance
- Funeral and burial expenses, and costs of administering the estate
- Loss of companionship, guidance, comfort, and emotional support
- Loss of inheritance or benefits the family would have received
- Medical and funeral costs arising from the survival claim if applicable
These damages are presented to a jury or negotiated with the responsible party's insurer, and awards are entered through El Paso County Combined Courts.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Manitou Springs — and read client testimonials.
A passenger suffered traumatic brain, neck, and back injuries in a Colorado Springs intersection collision. After the carrier refused a fair number, a jury awarded $295,000 including interest and costs.
El Paso County jury verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Manitou Springs Wrongful death FAQ
How much time do we have 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.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law limits who may bring a wrongful death claim. Generally, the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased may file. If none of those relatives exist, certain other dependents may have standing. The correct claimants must be identified early so the case is filed properly in El Paso County Combined Courts. We determine who has the right to sue and how to proceed with the claim.
What damages can we recover in a wrongful death case?
Wrongful death claims can include economic damages—such as lost wages, medical and funeral expenses, and household services the deceased would have provided—and non-economic damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support. Colorado also recognizes survival claims for the deceased's own pain and suffering before death. Every family's circumstances are different, and we evaluate all available damages specific to your loss.
How does McCormick & Murphy charge fees in wrongful death cases?
We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency fee basis. That means McCormick & Murphy earns an attorney fee only if we settle your case or win at trial. You do not pay an hourly rate upfront. Separate from the fee, we advance case costs—such as investigation, expert reports, and court filings—and those costs are also recovered from the settlement or judgment. We discuss all costs and fees clearly before you hire us.
Should we contact the at-fault party's insurance company right away?
No. Before speaking with an insurance company, consult with a wrongful death attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used against your claim. McCormick & Murphy handles all communication with insurers and at-fault parties so your family is protected. Once we represent you, we manage those conversations professionally and in your best interest.
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929 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80905
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