If another party’s negligence caused a fatal accident, the aftermath is not only emotionally shattering but often financially chaotic. Colorado law gives surviving relatives the right to pursue compensation for both economic losses and the immeasurable personal toll. But these claims involve strict deadlines, complex legal standards, and insurance companies determined to minimize payouts. Boesen Law’s Fort Collins wrongful death attorneys guide families through this legal and financial maze.
We investigate quickly, preserve evidence, and coordinate with financial and forensic experts to build strong claims. We’ve helped families navigate not only lawsuits but also short-term solutions like negotiating life insurance payouts or structured settlement advances to stabilize household finances during the legal fight.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
How a Fort Collins Wrongful Death Attorney at Boesen Law Can Help
Losing a loved one unexpectedly creates not just grief but sudden financial chaos. At Boesen Law, we step in quickly to protect families’ legal rights and financial stability while they focus on healing.
- Securing evidence fast: We gather crash reports, security footage, and witness statements before they’re lost or altered, helping prove fault in fatal accidents.
- Blocking insurer tactics: Insurers often argue the deceased was partly to blame to reduce payouts. We counter these tactics with solid facts and expert analysis.
- Calculating real losses: Our team works with economists to project future lost income, benefits, and household contributions so families receive fair compensation.
- Navigating interim funds: Families often need immediate help. We assist in accessing life insurance, survivor benefits, or partial settlements to keep bills paid during the legal process.
Every case is deeply personal. Boesen Law fights not only for compensation but for justice and accountability, ensuring a family’s story is heard and valued.
Jon Boesen advises: “The first year after a wrongful death is often financially unstable for families. We help by pursuing interim solutions like insurance payouts and structured settlements so clients can keep their households running during the legal process.”
What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?
A wrongful death claim exists because Colorado law recognizes that families shouldn’t bear the consequences alone when someone’s life is cut short due to negligence. In Colorado, a wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed by eligible family members when another person or business causes death through careless, reckless, or intentional acts.
These lawsuits are governed by C.R.S. § 13-21-201 and allow survivors to seek financial recovery for funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and other damages.
Wrongful death lawsuits are civil cases, completely separate from criminal proceedings. A family can pursue civil compensation even if prosecutors don’t file charges, or if the defendant is acquitted.
We often step in quickly after a fatal accident because insurers are already gathering statements and records. Our early involvement helps protect evidence and prevents families from making statements that could hurt their case.
Wrongful Death vs. Survival Actions – Know the Legal Difference
Many families are surprised to learn that two distinct claims exist after a fatal accident:
- A wrongful death claim belongs to surviving family members. It covers their own losses—funeral expenses, the deceased’s financial support, and grief or loss of companionship.
- A survival action belongs to the deceased’s estate. It covers damages the deceased could have claimed if they’d lived longer, such as medical bills and lost wages from the time of injury until death.
Boesen Law helps families understand which claims to pursue and how to coordinate them without duplicating damages.
Accidents That Commonly Lead to Wrongful Death in Fort Collins
Fatal accidents arise in many situations, but certain types of cases appear most frequently in Fort Collins.
Motor Vehicle Accidents in Fort Collins
Traffic fatalities remain one of the leading causes of wrongful death across Colorado. In 2024, the Colorado Department of Transportation reported 688 fatal crashes statewide, many involving factors like speeding, alcohol, and distracted driving. Fort Collins’ high-traffic areas like Harmony Road, College Avenue, and stretches of I-25 have been the site of fatal crashes involving cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles.
We obtain police crash data, black box downloads, 911 recordings, and eyewitness statements to build fault arguments. For commercial vehicles, we also review company records for maintenance and driver hours to identify regulatory violations.
Premises Liability Cases
Property owners in Fort Collins—whether businesses downtown or landlords managing rental units near CSU—have a legal duty to maintain safe premises. Fatal injuries can result from slip-and-falls, building collapses, fires, or inadequate security.
For example, a deadly slip and fall on icy sidewalks outside a business can lead to a premises liability claim if the owner knew about the hazard and failed to correct it.
We investigate maintenance logs, security footage, and property inspection records. We also consult engineers and safety experts to establish code violations or negligence.
Defective Products and Dangerous Equipment
Manufacturers and sellers can be liable when defective products cause fatal injuries. In Fort Collins, defective equipment, toxic products, or unsafe vehicles may create grounds for a product liability claim.
We collaborate with engineers, forensic scientists, and industry experts to prove how a defect caused fatal harm. We also identify all potentially responsible parties along the supply chain to maximize recovery.
Criminal Acts and Reckless Behavior
Criminal acts—including assaults, drunk driving, and other violent conduct—often underpin wrongful death claims. A civil claim is separate from criminal prosecution and can proceed even if no criminal charges are filed. We gather criminal court records, police statements, and witness interviews. We also protect our clients from retaliation and manage sensitive issues if ongoing criminal trials are involved.
How much is a wrongful death case worth in Fort Collins?
While each case is unique, recent cases shows typical wrongful death settlements in Colorado:
- Minimum settlements often start around $300,000 in cases with limited economic loss.
- Average settlements fall between $1 million and $1.8 million, particularly when lifetime earnings and emotional loss are significant.
- Economic damages (e.g., medical bills, funeral costs, lost income) are uncapped.
Moreover, several critical factors determine case value:
- Age and income of the deceased (younger, higher‑earning individuals often yield larger awards)
- Coverage available, including auto liability and umbrella policies
- Clarity of liability, especially in commercial vehicle or design defect cases
- Eligibility for punitive damages, where egregious conduct warrants extra compensation
Every wrongful death claim has unique factors that influence its worth. Boesen Law builds cases using expert financial analyses, local court insights, and decades of trial experience. We’re here to help you evaluate the full value of your losses in a free initial consultation—and fight to secure the compensation you deserve—without upfront fees or added stress.
The Legal Process – How Boesen Law Builds a Strong Wrongful Death Case
Case Investigation and Evidence Collection
Our team secures comprehensive evidence like police reports, 911 recordings, surveillance video, and scene photos. We also collect medical records, autopsy findings, and expert witness statements to document causation and damages.
Working With Financial and Forensic Experts
Accident-reconstruction specialists clarify fault, while economists project lifetime income losses and caregivers’ costs. These reports translate personal loss into verifiable numbers for settlement or trial.
Negotiation and Litigation Strategy
We begin with a comprehensive demand package and negotiate with insurers for fair payment. If negotiations stall, we move forward with litigation. Backed by decades of courtroom experience, our Fort Collins personal injury lawyers know how to build strong cases that hold up in front of a jury.
Start the Healing Process With Trusted Legal Support
Losing a loved one is overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate the legal aftermath alone. Boesen Law offers free, in-person consultations and charges nothing unless we secure rightful compensation on your behalf.
Contact us today to speak with a Fort Collins wrongful death lawyer and learn the next steps toward accountability and closure.
FAQs About Wrongful Death Claims in Fort Collins
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Fort Collins?
In Colorado, the surviving spouse has the exclusive right to file during the first year after death. In the second year, both the spouse and surviving children can file, either jointly or separately. Parents may file only if the deceased had no spouse or children. An estate representative can also file a separate survival action for certain damages owed to the estate itself. Boesen Law guides families through which party has standing to file, and prepares all necessary legal documents to avoid conflicts among potential claimants.
How long do I have to file a wrongful death claim in Colorado?
Most wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under C.R.S. § 13-80-102. Some exceptions apply if the wrongful cause of death wasn’t discovered right away, as in certain medical malpractice cases. We review timelines carefully and help families preserve evidence early, so no critical deadlines are missed.
What damages can be recovered in a wrongful death claim in Fort Collins?
Families can recover funeral costs, medical bills between injury and death, lost financial support, lost benefits like health insurance, and compensation for emotional grief and loss of companionship. Colorado caps non-economic damages in wrongful death cases, though there are exceptions in some cases involving intentional or reckless acts. Boesen Law works with economists to calculate future income losses and ensures all categories of damages are documented and claimed.
Are wrongful death settlements taxable in Colorado?
Generally, wrongful death settlements are not taxable for federal or state income tax purposes when compensating for personal injuries or emotional distress caused by death. However, punitive damages and interest may be taxable. Always confirm your specific situation with a tax advisor. Our attorneys help coordinate with tax professionals so families understand any financial implications of a settlement or verdict.
How much does a Fort Collins wrongful death lawyer cost?
At Boesen Law, we handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, and we only earn our fee if we secure compensation for your family. We’re transparent about costs from the start and explain how fees work, so there are no surprises as the case progresses.
Reach out to our law firm for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Colorado at (303) 999-9999 or contact us online.
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