What is a wrongful death claim?

The Answer

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit brought by the surviving family members of someone who was killed due to another person's or company's negligence or wrongful conduct. Unlike a criminal case, a wrongful death lawsuit does not seek to punish the defendant with jail time; it seeks to recover financial compensation for the losses the family has suffered. Common causes of wrongful death include car accidents, truck accidents, workplace accidents, medical malpractice, and dangerous property conditions. In Colorado, wrongful death cases are governed by specific statutes that determine who can file, what damages are available, and how much time you have to act.

For the law, the deadlines, and how these cases actually get built, start with our wrongful death playbook.