Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer

A Denver Wrongful Death Attorney Can Help

Losing a loved one to another person’s negligence brings grief that often arrives alongside mounting medical bills, funeral costs, and financial uncertainty. Families across Denver, from Capitol Hill to Montbello, may need a Denver wrongful death lawyer who understands both the legal process and what they are going through. While no settlement can replace a loved one, Colorado law may provide a path to compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.

At Dormer Harpring, our team has years of experience helping Denver families with wrongful death claims, supporting you throughout the process to pursue the best outcome for your family. If you are ready to talk, contact us today at (303) 756-3812 to schedule a complimentary case evaluation and learn how our team approaches wrongful death cases with personalized, client-focused service.

Contact a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer

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Stand With the Underdogs: Choose Dormer Harping

Let Us Shoulder the Legal Burden While You Focus on Grieving

Meet Partner, Sean Dormer

Sean, a seasoned attorney, draws from his formative experience as a student attorney in CU Law School’s Defense Clinic. His commitment to justice began early, standing up to bullies in middle school. Now, he champions clients injured by negligence, securing substantial verdicts against powerful entities. Committed to advocacy, he actively shapes personal injury laws in Colorado. Outside work, Sean treasures family, nature, and music.

Results You Can Count On

With a 99% success rate, our law firm is dedicated to recovering on behalf of our clients. We have recovered several 7 figure settlements on behalf of victims and their loved ones.

$300,000 settlement for a wrongful death as a result of a slip and fall.

View more case results here.

Why Choose Our Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer for Your Case?

Choosing the right attorney after losing a loved one is not a decision to make lightly. A handful of factors may set our approach apart from larger, high-volume firms, starting with the amount of personal attention each family receives. At Dormer Harpring, we limit our caseload deliberately so that every client can count on close, consistent guidance from a Denver wrongful death lawyer throughout their case.

Here is what that looks like in practice:

• You can work with the same attorney from your first consultation through resolution, rather than a rotating team of paralegals and case managers.
• We build wrongful death claims as though they may go to trial, which can encourage insurers to offer fair value from the start.
• We work on a contingency fee basis and can advance the costs of building your case, including expert witnesses, without charging interest.
• We take time to understand what your family has lost, not just the financial figures attached to a claim.
• Our team gathers police reports, medical records, and expert testimony to help build an evidence-based claim.

The attorney you choose can shape your case’s outcome, which is why we take the time to meet with your family, listen to your experience, and explain your options under Colorado law.

Results You Can Count On

Every wrongful death case is different, but the outcomes below reflect what thorough investigation and a willingness to fight for full value can produce for Colorado families:

• A trucking wrongful death case led to a $500,000 settlement after our client died in a three-car collision while headed out of state. We were retained after the insurer had already offered an initial $25,000.
• A pedestrian wrongful death case resulted in $500,000 after a motor vehicle collision killed our client while he was crossing in a crosswalk. We worked on behalf of his family and helped reach a settlement to provide support during an incredibly difficult time.
• A wrongful death case resulted in $500,000 after our client passed away following a medical emergency in his hotel room that left him unconscious but alive. Hotel staff knocked on the door but took no further action for more than 24 hours. The initial offer was a denial of liability.
• A wrongful death case resulted in $300,000 after our client’s father passed away from complications following a slip and fall in a bathtub with an unsafe, slippery surface at a prominent Denver hotel. A Texas personal injury firm retained us as co-counsel to litigate the case in Colorado. The initial offer was a denial of liability.

Every case is evaluated on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome for any future client, though they can demonstrate the kind of dedicated advocacy families may expect when working with our team.

What Our Clients Say

The number attached to a settlement matters, but so does how a family is treated along the way during one of the hardest periods of their life. Here is what past clients have shared about their experience with our team:

“If you are looking for a law firm to help you navigate the legal system after you have been injured, I would highly recommend Dormer Harpring. Jessica and Nancy made the entire process painless from start to finish. They handled everything in a very timely and professional manner. I am so fortunate to have found them and would look no further if you’re looking for a great law firm to have on your side. Thank you for helping me! It was a pleasure working with you!” — Lisa K. — 5 stars

“I had a superior experience having Dormer Harpring represent me in my personal injury case. They were all very caring, with exceptional communication and professional knowledge. Julie and Tim both worked extremely hard on my case to get the settlement I deserved! Overall, a 10/10 star experience, and I highly recommend them!” — Josh B. — 5 stars

Get a Free Consultation With a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer

Available 24/7 – Call us now at (303) 756-3812 for expert legal help. Your case matters, and we’re here to fight for you!

Send Message (303) 756-3812

What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

The definition of wrongful death in Colorado is a death caused by the neglect, default or wrongful act of another person. Wrongful death cases are civil actions and are not part of the criminal justice system. Success in a wrongful death claim rests on the type and amount of evidence presented by the family filing the claim. The wrongful death case process may involve several phases, such as:

• Mediations
• Demands
• Settlement
• Jury trial

A Denver wrongful death attorney can guide your family through all of the phases of a civil claim, negotiating for a fair resolution on your behalf. Proving a wrongful death claim requires the family’s attorney to prove four legal elements:

1. Negligence. The death occurred as a result of the careless or reckless actions of another. Negligence in personal injury law is carelessness that causes an injury or death to another person.
2. Breach of duty. The responsible party owed the deceased a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal obligation to act responsibly and in a manner that a reasonable and prudent person would in the same circumstances. A breach of duty is any violation of this requirement.
3. Causation. The negligent party breached this duty of care, and this breach caused the resulting wrongful death. Unlike in a criminal case, you do not need to prove the defendant intended to take the life of your loved one. Instead, you simply must show that the defendant’s negligence caused the fatal injury.
4. Damages. Actual damages resulted, such as pain and suffering, added medical costs, loss of earnings, income, inheritance, or guidance.

As the plaintiff in a wrongful death lawsuit, you must establish these elements as more likely to be true than not true. This is called a preponderance of the evidence. A Denver wrongful death lawyer can help your family members gather clear and convincing evidence to establish these elements and obtain a fair settlement award for your substantial losses.

Denver Wrongful Death Statistics

Denver’s traffic fatality numbers reveal a troubling pattern that extends well beyond isolated tragedies. According to the most recent data available from the Colorado Department of Transportation, the state recorded 684 traffic deaths in 2024, a toll that included 371 passenger vehicle occupants, 162 motorcyclists, 120 pedestrians, and 14 bicyclists. Impaired driving played a role in 210 of these deaths, while unbuckled seat belts were a factor in another 183, and construction zones alone claimed 31 lives.

Denver alone accounted for 61 of these traffic deaths that year, more than any other city in the state. Taken together, these numbers may point to speed, impairment, and distraction as among the leading threats on Denver’s roads.

Behind each of these numbers is a family navigating the aftermath of a preventable loss, and such tragedies can strike not only on the road. Falls, defective conditions, and other hazards throughout Denver can lead to wrongful death claims as well, and the same investigative approach may apply no matter how the fatality occurred. Understanding where and how these deaths happen across the city can help identify liable parties early, preserve evidence before it disappears, and build a claim grounded in verified information rather than assumption.

Types of Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death claims can arise from a wide range of circumstances, including medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and criminal violence, and identifying the correct category shapes how a case is built from the outset. Some of the most common claims we see include the following:

• Birth injuries
• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Nursing home abuse and neglect
• Product defects
• Premises accidents
• Occupational hazards and chemical exposure

Our team accepts all of these case types and brings years of experience navigating each practice area. Whatever the circumstances behind your loved one’s death, a Denver wrongful death lawyer can help your family understand the legal options available. Contact us today at (303) 756-3812 to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Denver

Fatal incidents rarely happen the same way twice, but a Denver wrongful death lawyer tends to see the same categories surface again and again. Common causes we see across Denver include the following:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving remain leading factors in fatal crashes along high-volume corridors like I-25 and I-70, where dense traffic and frequent lane changes can increase collision severity
• Commercial Trucking Accidents: Fatal collisions involving semi-trucks and delivery vehicles often involve multiple potentially liable parties, from the driver to the trucking company to a cargo loader
• Premises Liability Incidents: Fatal falls, inadequate security, and hazardous property conditions may support a wrongful death claim against a property owner or manager who failed to maintain safe conditions
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcyclists may face disproportionate risk at Denver intersections, where visibility and right-of-way violations can play a central role in fatal crashes
• Drunk and Impaired Driving: Impaired drivers were connected to roughly a third of Colorado’s traffic deaths in the most recent reporting year, a pattern reflected on Denver’s own roadways

No matter the cause, the key legal question remains the same: Did negligence, recklessness, or a failure to act reasonably lead to the death of a loved one? A wrongful death claim answers that question through the civil court system, which works differently from a criminal case.

Wrongful Death vs. Criminal Case

Understanding these categories matters because a wrongful death claim and a criminal case are not the same thing, even when they arise from the same incident. Wrongful death is a civil tort, not a crime. A civilly liable party pays the surviving beneficiaries financial damages, while a criminal conviction for murder, homicide, or vehicular manslaughter results in a sentence against the defendant.

A few key differences separate the two in Denver:

• Intent: Criminal cases require proof that the defendant knowingly and intentionally committed the crime. A wrongful death claim carries no such requirement. You can hold someone responsible even if their careless, unintentional, or unwitting conduct puts your loved one in danger.
• Burden of Proof: A criminal conviction requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while a wrongful death claim only requires a preponderance of the evidence, roughly a 51 percent likelihood. This gap exists because a conviction can result in imprisonment, whereas a civil claim results only in monetary damages.
• Your Role: A prosecutor, not your family, decides whether to bring charges and carries the burden of proving them. You may be asked to give a statement or testimony, but your involvement is far more limited than in a civil lawsuit you help direct.

If the responsible party also faces criminal charges, Colorado courts may pause your statute of limitations until that case concludes, giving your family more time to file. A conviction does not automatically establish civil liability, since the two cases apply different standards, but it can serve as evidence supporting your claim.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Colorado?

A Denver wrongful death lawyer can help determine who has the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit, since Colorado law restricts this right to certain surviving loved ones under C.R.S. § 13-21-201. The rules change depending on how much time has passed since the decedent’s death:

• A surviving spouse may file within the first year
• A surviving spouse or children may file in the second year, or parents if there is no spouse or child
• A personal representative of the estate may file at any time

Other family members, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandparents, generally do not have the right to file wrongful death claims in Colorado. If the decedent had other beneficiaries financially dependent on them at death, they may be entitled to a share of any settlement. At Dormer Harpring, our team can help answer any questions about who is eligible to file.

Wrongful Death Claim Process in Colorado

Once it is clear who has the right to file, the next question is what happens after that decision. A Colorado wrongful death claim generally moves through several stages before reaching resolution:

• Investigation: Our attorneys review police reports, medical records, and available evidence to help determine liability before a claim is filed
• Notice and Filing: A formal claim is filed with the appropriate Denver-area court, and the defendant receives notice of the pending action
• Negotiation: Most wrongful death claims are resolved through settlement discussions or mediation rather than trial
• Litigation: When a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to trial, where a judge or jury determines the outcome

Each stage carries its own deadlines and evidentiary demands, and missing one can affect the outcome of an otherwise strong claim. Dormer Harpring can help families move through each stage with those deadlines in mind, starting with an overview of the filing process.

How to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado

Filing the claim involves several concrete steps, each with its own requirements under Colorado law:

• An attorney should be consulted promptly, since speaking with a Denver wrongful death lawyer early can give the legal team more time to prepare a strong case.
• An attorney can draft and file the complaint with the appropriate civil court in the county where the incident occurred or where the defendant resides.
• The defendant must receive formal notice, as Colorado law requires proper service of the lawsuit before the case can proceed.
• Once served, the defendant has a set period to respond, which can determine how quickly the case proceeds to its next stage.

Our team can help families move through each of these steps without missing a critical deadline.

What Evidence Can Be Used to Prove Wrongful Death?

Proving the grounds for a wrongful death claim generally falls to the family and their attorney, and the evidence gathered should be compelling enough to support the family’s account of events. Key evidence that may support a claim includes the following:

• A copy of the police or accident report
• Video surveillance footage and photographs of the scene of the accident
• The decedent’s medical records
• A coroner’s report
• Accounts that eyewitnesses gave of the fatal accident
• A criminal conviction against a defendant for intentionally or wantonly killing a loved one
• Cell phone records
• Accident reconstruction
• Wrongful death expert testimony

Our team can file letters of preservation or request subpoenas to help secure this evidence early, then work to present a clear picture for a judge or jury.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in Colorado?  

In Colorado, a wrongful death claim must generally be filed within two years from the date of death, under C.R.S. § 13-21-204. Certain exceptions can pause or extend this deadline in specific situations, such as when the deceased was a minor or when the responsible party also faces criminal charges for the same death, but these exceptions are not the rule. Families should not assume an exception applies without confirming it with a Denver wrongful death lawyer. Missing this deadline typically means losing the right to pursue compensation entirely, which is why prompt legal guidance matters from the earliest point after a loss.

How Much is a Wrongful Death Case Worth in Colorado? 

A wrongful death case in Colorado can involve economic damages, non-economic damages, and in certain cases, punitive damages. The specific value of any individual case can depend heavily on the circumstances involved, including the deceased’s income, age, and the strength of the evidence supporting the claim. While economic damages have no statutory cap in Colorado, non-economic damages are capped at $2,125,000 as of January 1, 2025, under C.R.S. § 13-21-203, a significant increase from the previous cap of roughly $679,990.

Compensation for Wrongful Death Claims

Damages in a wrongful death claim can help compensate a family for the pain and suffering their loved one experienced before death, as well as repay the family for monetary expenditures and non-monetary losses that followed. Examples of wrongful death damages include:

• Medical expenses incurred before the loved one’s death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of the financial support and services the deceased would have provided
• Loss of an expected inheritance
• Loss of consortium, including companionship, guidance, and emotional support

In cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The value of a wrongful death claim can depend on the circumstances involved, including the loved one’s income level and the amount of insurance available to cover the family’s losses. No dollar amount can ever match the value of a loved one’s life, but a compensatory award may help a family manage expenses and achieve greater financial stability during a difficult time.

Contact a Denver Wrongful Death Lawyer at Dormer Harpring Today

Proving negligence, meeting Colorado’s evidentiary standard, and filing before the two-year deadline can all require experienced legal guidance, and no family should have to navigate that process alone while grieving. Dormer Harpring has worked on wrongful death claims throughout Denver for years and understands what it takes to hold a negligent party accountable under Colorado law. Call (303) 756-3812 today to schedule a free consultation with a Denver wrongful death lawyer and take a first step toward the answers your family is seeking.

Learn More About Wrongful Death Claims

• Are Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settlements Taxable?
• Colorado Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations
• How Damages Are Calculated for Wrongful Death in Colorado
• What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Wrongful Death Attorney?

Wrongful Death Lawyers Near You in Denver

Including but not limited to:

Alamo Placita | Athmar Park |Auraria | Baker | Belcaro | Berkeley | Capitol Hill | Cheesman Park | Cherry Creek | Cherry Creek North | City Park | Cole | Congress Park | Country Club | Curtis Park | Five Points | Globeville | Highland | Hilltop | LoDo (Lower Downtown) | Montclair | Park Hill | Platt Park | RiNo (River North) | Sloan’s Lake | Speer | Stapleton | Sunnyside | Uptown | University Hills | University Park | Virginia Village | Washington Park | West Highland | Whittier |

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What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

JUDY B.

1 months ago

“I would recommend them to anyone who needs an attorney for a personal injury case!!“

I was under the gun with my statute of limitations less than a month away, and K.C. at Dormer Harpring took on my case anyway. They gave me super professional and super personal service and got me a settlement that was FAR more than the insurance company offered me on my own. I would recommend them to anyone who needs an attorney for a personal injury case!!

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