Adams and Jefferson counties · Wrongful death
Westminster Wrongful Death Lawyers
We help Westminster families pursue wrongful-death claims with the precision and care your loved one deserves.
Filing a Wrongful-Death Claim in Westminster
Colorado wrongful-death law is strict about who may bring a claim and how much time you have. The law permits the personal representative of the deceased's estate, or certain family members, to recover on behalf of those who depended on the deceased. We review your family's circumstances, the manner of death, and the applicable statute of limitations to determine the right path forward. Early consultation is critical because evidence disappears and memories fade.
Wrongful death can arise from motor-vehicle collisions on U.S. Highway 36, Federal Boulevard, I-25, or local streets; medical negligence at CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital or other facilities; workplace accidents; or intentional acts. We gather facts, consult with medical and accident-reconstruction experts, and build a case that proves the defendant's breach of duty directly caused the death. Our office in Denver serves families throughout Westminster, Broomfield, Arvada, Northglenn, Thornton, and Wheat Ridge.
Investigation and Proof in Wrongful-Death Cases
Proving a wrongful death requires documenting the responsible party's conduct, the causal link to the fatal injury, and the identity of proper claimants under Colorado law. We obtain police reports and records from the Westminster Police Department, medical examiner findings, autopsy results, and hospital or medical records. We also review surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert analyses to establish what happened and who is legally responsible.
Financial and personal losses must be carefully documented. We gather employment records, tax returns, and household-contribution evidence to show the economic support the deceased provided. We collect family testimony, photographs, and personal records that capture the grief, loss of companionship, and emotional harm suffered by surviving spouses, children, or other dependents. Estate documents and insurance policies are also reviewed to coordinate any benefits and ensure all available compensation is pursued in Adams County Justice Center or Jefferson County Courts.
Local investigations may involve Westminster Police Department, scenes near U.S. Highway 36 or Broomfield, and medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital.
When a death results from someone else's negligence or wrongful act, Colorado law limits who may file and sets strict deadlines. Prompt investigation and preservation of evidence are critical. Gather and protect:
- Scene photographs, video, and police reports from Westminster Police Department
- Autopsy report and medical records from CommonSpirit St. Anthony North Hospital or other treating provider
- Death certificate and coroner's findings
- Employment records, recent pay stubs, and tax returns showing the decedent's income and financial contributions to the family
- Testimony from family members about the decedent's household role, companionship, and care they provided
- Insurance policies (life, health, auto, or homeowner's) that may cover the loss
- Estate documents, will, and beneficiary designations
- Witness statements and contact information
- Any communications or records showing the responsible party's conduct (maintenance logs, safety records, prior complaints)
- Survival claim evidence (medical bills, pain and suffering during any period before death)
- Photos and records documenting the decedent's relationships and daily life
Preserve all evidence immediately. Contact an attorney before speaking with insurers or signing documents.
Medical Records and Expert Evidence
If the death resulted from medical negligence or injury requiring hospitalization, we obtain complete medical records from all providers involved. These documents establish the standard of care, identify departures from that standard, and show the direct link between the medical error or injury and the fatal outcome. We work with qualified medical experts who can review these records and provide opinions that meet Colorado's evidentiary standards.
Autopsy reports and the medical examiner's findings are central to understanding the cause and manner of death. We coordinate with coroners, pathologists, and other specialists to ensure the full medical picture is presented. Expert testimony often proves decisive in wrongful-death cases, particularly when the defendant disputes liability or causation. Our firm has established relationships with credible experts throughout the Denver metro area and beyond.
Official Westminster hospital, report, crash-record, and court links →
Damages in a Wrongful-Death Settlement or Verdict
- Lost wages, salary, and benefits the deceased would have earned over their remaining work life
- Household services and personal care the deceased provided, converted to economic value
- Medical and funeral expenses, including costs of hospitalization, final arrangements, and estate administration
- Loss of companionship, comfort, counsel, and society experienced by the surviving spouse and children
- Punitive damages, if the defendant's conduct was willful, malicious, or showed conscious disregard for human life
- Any survival-act damages for pain and suffering endured between injury and death
We present these losses clearly and persuasively to juries and judges in Adams County Justice Center and Jefferson County Courts, and we negotiate with insurers and defendants to recover the maximum compensation available.
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Westminster — 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.
Westminster Wrongful death FAQ
How quickly must we act after a death in Westminster?
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 has the legal right to file a wrongful-death claim in Colorado?
Colorado law is specific about who may bring a wrongful-death claim. Generally, the decedent's spouse, children, and parents may file; more distant relatives have limited rights. The statute also requires a personal representative of the estate in some circumstances. The proper claimants and procedures depend on the family structure and the circumstances of death. An attorney must review the family's situation to confirm who can file and whether an estate must be opened.
What losses can be recovered in a wrongful-death case?
Colorado allows recovery of economic losses (lost wages, medical expenses, funeral costs, financial contributions the decedent would have made) and non-economic losses (loss of companionship, society, comfort, and guidance that the family lost). If the decedent experienced conscious pain or suffering before death, a survival claim may also recover those damages. We work to document all losses—both the numbers and the human reality of what the family has lost.
How do you prove someone is responsible for a death?
We must prove that the responsible party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the death as a result. For example, in a motor-vehicle case on U.S. Highway 36 or Federal Boulevard, we examine police reports, scene evidence, vehicle damage, medical causation, and driver conduct. In a premises-liability case or workplace death, we review safety records and industry standards. Proof requires investigation files, expert analysis, and often testimony at trial or in settlement negotiations.
How are attorney fees handled in a wrongful-death case?
McCormick & Murphy handles wrongful-death claims on a contingency fee basis. That means the firm earns an attorney fee only if the case is settled or won. You do not pay us unless there is a recovery. Advanced case costs—such as investigation, expert reports, court filing fees, and discovery—are separate from the contingency fee and will be discussed with you in writing before those costs are incurred.
Related legal guides
Same service in nearby communities
Nearest McCormick & Murphy office
Discuss your Westminster claim
Free consultation. No attorney fee unless we recover for you.