Colorado Law & Wrongful Death Claims
Colorado’s wrongful death statute (C.R.S. § 13-21-201 through 13-21-204) specifies who may file and when. Year 1: surviving spouse only. Year 2: spouse and/or children. If no spouse or children, parents or estate may file. Damages include economic losses, funeral expenses, grief, and loss of companionship. Punitive damages available for willful/wanton conduct.
undefined Years
Statute of Limitations
50%
Comparative Fault Bar
~$642K
Noneconomic Cap
Average Wrongful Death Settlement in Colorado
Based on Colorado verdict and settlement data
| Severity | Estimated Settlement Range |
|---|---|
| Low Severity | N/A |
| Medium Severity | $250,000 – $750,000 |
| High Severity / Catastrophic | $1,000,000 – $5,000,000+ |
These ranges are general estimates based on Colorado verdict and settlement data. Actual case values vary based on specific facts.
| Category | Minor | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | N/A | $10,000 – $50,000 | $50,000 – $200,000 |
| Lost Wages | N/A | $100,000 – $300,000 | $300,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Pain & Suffering | N/A | $100,000 – $400,000 | $400,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Total Range | N/A | $250,000 – $750,000 | $1,000,000 – $5,000,000+ |
Common Injuries in Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful Death by Injury Type
Frequently Asked Questions: Wrongful Death in Colorado
Year 1 after death: surviving spouse only. Year 2: spouse and/or children. If no spouse or children, parents can file. The estate may also have a separate survival action.
Depends on the deceased’s age, earning capacity, and family situation. Moderate: $250,000–$750,000. Severe (gross negligence, multiple defendants): $1,000,000–$5,000,000+.
Lost income, funeral/burial expenses, loss of companionship, grief, loss of consortium, loss of parental guidance. Punitive damages available for willful and wanton conduct.
Two years from the date of death (C.R.S. § 13-80-102). This deadline is strict. The timeline for who can file changes during this period.
Yes. Wrongful death claims commonly arise from car accidents, truck accidents, drunk driving, and pedestrian accidents. Dram shop claims and punitive damages may also be available.
Yes, the ~$642,180 noneconomic damage cap applies to wrongful death claims, though courts can increase it to ~$1M with clear and convincing evidence.
A wrongful death claim compensates surviving family members for their losses. A survival action recovers damages the deceased could have claimed before death (pain and suffering, medical bills). Both can be filed simultaneously.
Wrongful Death Claims by City
Get city-specific information about wrongful death claims and local settlement data across Colorado.
Wrongful Death in Denver
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Wrongful Death in Colorado Springs
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Wrongful Death in Aurora
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Wrongful Death in Fort Collins
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Wrongful Death in Lakewood
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Wrongful Death in Thornton
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Wrongful Death in Arvada
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Wrongful Death in Westminster
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Wrongful Death in Pueblo
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Wrongful Death in Centennial
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Wrongful Death in Boulder
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Wrongful Death in Highlands Ranch
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Wrongful Death in Greeley
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Wrongful Death in Longmont
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Wrongful Death in Loveland
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Wrongful Death in Broomfield
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Wrongful Death in Castle Rock
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Wrongful Death in Commerce City
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Wrongful Death in Parker
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Wrongful Death in Littleton
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Wrongful Death in Northglenn
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Wrongful Death in Brighton
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Wrongful Death in Englewood
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Wrongful Death in Wheat Ridge
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