Colorado Springs Wrongful Death Settlements
When you lose a loved one due to another person’s negligence, no amount of money can replace their life. Yet, after tragic accidents, family members are often dealing with the financial fallout. Filing a lawsuit against the responsible parties can be overwhelming and time-consuming. A settlement can be an efficient way to recover the money you need.
Experienced wrongful death attorneys represent families in negotiations with the liable party’s insurance. They review Colorado Springs wrongful death settlements to ensure they adequately compensate surviving family members for the losses suffered in relation to their loved one’s death. Consult a qualified lawyer when you have questions about Colorado’s negligence laws in wrongful death cases.
The Purpose of Wrongful Death Settlements
When someone dies after a serious accident, their loved ones are often left to settle any debts or liabilities, including medical bills and their funeral and burial costs. A wrongful death settlement can hold the person or entity who caused their death liable. Negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance could help the decedent’s family move forward after the loss.
There are a variety of factors to consider when negotiating a wrongful death settlement in Colorado Springs, and the amount of compensation depends on the defendant’s conduct and the other circumstances of the death. In some cases, negligence is apparent, but in other instances, it can be difficult to prove that someone else’s wrongful conduct caused a person’s death.
A proactive lawyer can review the cause of a person’s death to determine the economic impact on their loved ones to calculate damages. To prove damages, the court will look to a variety of factors, such as:
- Expert testimony
- Deceased’s medical bills and records
- Lost wages or other employment benefits
- Any other evidence relevant to compensate for the losses related to the fatal incident
The amount of a settlement might also be limited based on how old the decedent was at the time of death, the type of injuries suffered, their job and income, and future earning potential. If the victim’s actions contributed to their death in any way, it could impact the amount of settlement per contributory negligence laws. Speak to a seasoned attorney about options for financial recovery after a wrongful death.
Limitations on Damages in Wrongful Death Cases
When settling a wrongful death claim in Colorado Springs, it is important to keep in mind state laws that could impact the suit. In Colorado, there are limitations on the amount of damages someone can recover. While there is no cap for economic damages, non-economic damages—like pain and suffering or emotional stress—are subject to a statutory damage cap. Currently, non-economic losses are limited to $250,000, adjusted for inflation per Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-203. The Colorado Secretary of State Office publishes the adjusted damage limitations.
In professional negligence cases, the total damages are limited to $1,000,000, which is no more than $300,000 for non-economic losses like pain and suffering. Discuss relevant state laws with a well-practiced legal professional.
A Colorado Springs Attorney Could Help Your Family Obtain a Fair Wrongful Death Settlement
Wrongful death cases are complex, and taking the case to court can be an unnecessarily painful experience for loved ones. If your family member or relative was killed by another person or entity’s negligence, consider seeking help from a lawyer with experience negotiating Colorado Springs wrongful death settlements.
Hiring an attorney to represent you during the settlement process is beneficial because insurance companies are notorious for offering people less than they deserve. A skilled legal professional could review your case, calculate your damages, and negotiate the best possible offer based on the circumstances of your loved one’s passing. Call today to discuss your legal rights and remedies.
