Greeley Wrongful Death Lawyer

Losing someone you love in a sudden accident is heartbreaking – especially when it didn’t have to happen. If someone else’s carelessness or someone else’s negligence caused their death, you’re likely dealing with a lot all at once: grief, anger, and the stress of figuring out what comes next. You don’t have to handle it on your own. A Greeley wrongful death lawyer from our law firm, The Wilhite Law Firm, is here to help you understand your options and fight for the accountability your family deserves. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we’ll be in your corner from start to finish.

When you’re ready to talk, call us at (303) 466-3529 or send us a message through our contact page. We offer free consultations to help you get started with no risk.

What Is a Wrongful Death Case?

Wrongful death happens when someone dies because of another person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. These are civil cases filed under Colorado wrongful death law by surviving family members or a representative of the deceased’s estate to seek compensation for the losses caused by the death – not criminal penalties. Unlike a criminal case, which is prosecuted by the state to punish wrongful conduct, a wrongful death claim is a civil action focused on compensating the victim’s family.

If your loved one died due to someone else’s actions, a wrongful death lawyer in Greeley from The Wilhite Law Firm can review your case and explain your legal options.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death

While every case is unique, wrongful deaths in Weld County often stem from the following scenarios, including cases of tragic accidents such as:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents – Drunk driving, distracted driving, speeding, and failure to follow traffic laws are leading causes of fatal car, truck, and motorcycle crashes.
• Workplace Accidents – Oil field and construction site fatalities often result from safety violations or lack of protective equipment.
• Medical Malpractice – Misdiagnoses, surgical errors, or medication mistakes can lead to fatal outcomes.
• Defective Products – Design flaws or manufacturing defects may cause serious injuries or death.
• Premises Liability – Poor property maintenance or inadequate security can result in fatal falls or attacks.

Our Greeley attorneys have the resources and experience to investigate the cause of death, identify liable parties, and help alleviate financial burdens by building a strong wrongful death case on your behalf.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

State law limits who can file a wrongful death claim, and the timeline matters. Under Colorado law, only the surviving spouse has the exclusive right to bring a claim during the first year after the person’s death. After that one-year window, both the spouse and surviving children – or any legally designated beneficiaries – may file. A designated beneficiary is someone officially named in legal or insurance documents to have certain rights, including pursuing a wrongful death claim if the primary survivors are absent or have consented.

If the deceased had no spouse or children, the parents are allowed to take legal action. In addition to wrongful death claims, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a survival action to recover losses tied to the death itself, like medical expenses and funeral costs. Compensation is divided among each eligible family member who relied on the deceased for support.

Understanding who can file and when can be confusing, but a wrongful death lawsuit lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm can explain your rights in Greeley and handle the filing process for you.

Proving Liability in a Fatal Accident

To recover compensation in a wrongful death case, you must prove that someone else’s negligence or misconduct directly caused your loved one’s fatal injury. Establishing liability involves showing four key elements:

• Duty of Care – The defendant had a legal responsibility to act with reasonable care
• Breach of Duty – They failed to meet that responsibility
• Causation – Their actions directly led to the death
• Damages – The surviving family experienced measurable losses

Whether the cause was a distracted driver or an unsafe work environment, The Wilhite Law Firm builds strong cases supported by expert input from accident investigators, medical professionals, and financial analysts to pursue justice for your family. Our legal team of wrongful death attorneys in Greeley will thoroughly gather evidence to demonstrate liability and strengthen your case.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered?

Calculating wrongful death damages depends on many factors, including the deceased’s age, life expectancy, earning capacity, income, and relationship to the survivors. In general, families may be entitled to compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills related to the fatal injury
• Loss of the deceased’s financial support
• Loss of benefits (like retirement or health insurance)
• Pain and suffering experienced by the family
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support

It is important to pursue fair compensation to cover all losses resulting from the victim’s death, including both economic and non-economic damages.

State law caps non-economic damages in wrongful death cases. However, if the act that caused the death was willful and wanton, punitive damages may also be awarded, contributing to your overall financial compensation. Our wrongful death lawyers help families in Greeley pursue the maximum fair compensation allowed by law, ensuring justice after the victim’s death.

How Long Do You Have to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Colorado’s wrongful death statute of limitations gives families a limited window to take legal action. In most cases, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, your case may be permanently barred, no matter how compelling your evidence is.

There are a few exceptions – such as deaths involving hit-and-run drivers or pending criminal cases – but those situations are uncommon. The safest approach is to speak with a Greeley accidental death attorney right away.

The Wilhite Law Firm can manage every time-sensitive deadline, prepare your claim and settlement, and help preserve crucial evidence while you focus on grieving and rebuilding. Do not wait to take the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable.

Why Choose The Wilhite Law Firm?

At The Wilhite Law Firm, we know that no amount of money can make up for losing someone you love. But taking legal action can bring a sense of justice and help ease the financial pressure that often comes after a sudden loss. Our lawyers have spent decades handling wrongful death and injury cases and understand how the legal system works here in Greeley.

When you work with us, you’ll get one-on-one support, honest communication, and a team that’s aggressive when it matters but always compassionate. Our legal team is dedicated to acting in the best interests of every client, ensuring your needs are always prioritized. Clients benefit from the collective experience and support of a skilled legal team, providing guidance and handling complex legal matters with professionalism. We focus on accurate results – not just fast settlements – and build strategies around what’s best for you and your family. Our goal is to take the legal stress off your plate so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one.

We are committed to providing high-quality legal representation throughout the wrongful death process, so you can trust that your case is in capable hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Losing someone you love unexpectedly leaves you with more questions than answers. Here are some common concerns families, including the victim’s spouse, have when considering a wrongful death claim:

What is a wrongful death suit?

A wrongful death suit is a legal action brought by eligible survivors, such as the spouse, children, or parents of the deceased, to seek compensation for losses resulting from a loved one’s death caused by another party’s negligence or misconduct. In Colorado, the right to file a wrongful death suit is typically given first to the spouse during the first year after death, and then to children or parents in the second year. It is important to file within the statute of limitations, which is generally two years from the date of death.

What makes a death “wrongful” under state law?

A death is considered wrongful when it is caused by another person or entity’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions, including situations resulting from someone else’s carelessness. If the deceased could have filed a personal injury lawsuit had they survived, their family or estate may have the legal right to bring a wrongful death claim instead.

Can multiple family members file separate lawsuits?

No. Colorado law does not allow multiple, separate wrongful death lawsuits for the same individual. Instead, one civil claim is filed on behalf of all legally eligible beneficiaries. The victim’s spouse has the priority to file the claim during the initial period after the victim’s death. Any potential settlement or award is then shared according to the law.

How long do wrongful death cases take to resolve?

Timelines vary widely. While some cases settle in a few months through negotiation, others – especially those with disputed facts or complex liability – can take a year or longer. The length depends on factors like insurance coverage, available evidence, and whether the case goes to trial.

Is hiring a lawyer necessary?

Yes. These cases involve strict deadlines, legal procedures, and emotionally challenging decisions. A knowledgeable lawyer for a wrongful death case in Greeley can manage the investigation, deal with insurers, and build a case that honors your loved one’s memory.

If you still have questions about your rights, speaking with a wrongful death lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm can provide clarity and compassionate guidance.

Talk to a Greeley Wrongful Death Attorney Today

You shouldn’t have to go through this on your own. If your loved one died because of someone else’s actions, a Greeley wrongful death lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm is here to help. Our wrongful death lawyers stand up for families, fighting to hold the right people accountable and push for the financial support you need during such a hard time. This includes assistance with funeral expenses. The team of wrongful death attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm guides families through every step of the legal process.

Call us at (303) 466-3529 or fill out our online form to set up a free consultation. Our staff has extensive experience handling the legal process for wrongful death cases. Our law firm is ready to listen, answer your questions, and help you determine what comes next.