Wrongful Death Lawyer in Greeley
The death of a loved one is a harrowing experience. Your life feels like it has stopped, but the world moves on despite your tragedy. Even when the person has died of natural causes, the bureaucracy involved in reporting and dealing with their death can be overwhelming. When the death was caused by the negligence of another, it can seem almost impossible to keep up with the relatively fast pace of the legal and insurance claim processes. Even worse, if you don’t act quickly, you may miss your chance to get fair compensation after someone else’s negligence has caused your loved one’s death. The best way to avoid getting lost in the red tape is by contacting The Law Offices of Edward Smith, an experienced wrongful death lawyer in Greeley.
Your Guide to Wrongful Death In Greeley
When to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer in Greeley
The Importance of Negligence in Proving Wrongful Death
When do you need a wrongful death lawyer to represent you in Colorado? The answer is simple: whenever the death of a loved one meets the legal standard for wrongful death. This means that the death was caused by the negligent or intentional actions of another party. That definition is simple to understand but can be difficult to prove. Legally, negligence involves four elements. The first thing Edward Smith will typically do for a potential new client is examine the evidence to determine whether these four elements can be definitively proven:
The Defendant Had a Duty to Protect Your Loved One
This is easier to prove than it may seem. All people implicitly have a duty to care about the safety of others and take reasonable actions to protect them. For example, if you have a driver’s license, you are required to obey traffic laws and take reasonable actions to avoid getting into a car accident. Similarly, as a pedestrian, you have a responsibility to follow safety precautions, and if you’re injured, a pedestrian accident attorney in Greeley can help protect your legal rights.
The Defendant Violated That Duty
Negligence is often a result of some type of carelessness. For example, the manager of a store might allow the floor near the front doors to get dangerously wet on a rainy day. Their obligation to protect customers means they should have assigned someone to periodically remove the water. Failing to do so makes the manager responsible for someone who dies after slipping and hitting their head. If you’ve been injured in a similar situation, consider contacting a Greely slip and fall accident lawyer.
That Violation Resulted in the Death of Your Loved One
This is the element where Edward Smith looks directly at the cause of your loved one’s death. Usually, that step involves examining medical records to determine the precise series of events that resulted in your loss. When those events tie directly to the violation of the duty of care, the defendant is responsible.
Your Loved One’s Death Had Significant Financial Consequences
Finally, you need a wrongful death lawyer when you suffer meaningful financial consequences. This element is relatively easy to prove in a wrongful death claim, though. The costs for funeral or burial services are usually more than enough to be significant, and any other expenses just add to this total.
Are you facing the indescribable pain of losing a loved one in Colorado? You may be eligible to get compensation for your loss. Call The Law Offices of Edward Smith at 303-682-2944 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced wrongful death attorney in Greeley.
Why Choose Us?
Highly Rated Wrongful Death Law Firm in Greeley
Edward Smith has over 30 years of experience helping families recover after losing a loved one in Colorado. He is a lawyer who gives personal attention to every case and understands that each client will have different needs. During your free consultation, he will take the time to learn what you need to recover from your loss. The importance of personalized attention during this trying time can’t be overstated.
Edward Smith also offers a significant advantage to clients in your position. Before becoming a Greely personal injury lawyer, he worked as a defense attorney for insurance companies, giving him inside knowledge of how insurers respond to wrongful death claims — and what their legal teams do to defend against them. This insight has helped Edward Smith obtain millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts during his time representing victims of negligence.
As an ex-insurance defense lawyer, Edward Smith is better able to counter the legal tactics of insurance companies in wrongful death cases.
Even though he ultimately could not take my case, he was overly generous with his time and informed me that I could call him back if I needed any additional advice. Pick any other firm and you will just be considered a source of income, but choose his firm and you can tell he will fight hard for you. Without any hesitation, I would hire this attorney, over any other firm, because it is evident that he is passionate about his work, he knows his stuff, and he cares. If the world had more people like him in it, it would be a much better place to be and, if I come across anyone with a personal injury case, referrals will most definitely be sent to his firm.
Ed Smith Attorney
Longmont Colorado
I need to say that Edward Smith is a wonderful attorney. My case was difficult at best, but Ed made the experience easy for me! He fought my insurance company and always kept me informed. When I needed to speak to him he always got back to me immediately. He worked for the insurance companies early in his career so he knows the ins and outs , then uses his knowledge to help his clients. I can’t divulge my settlement or the insurance company. I can tell you he got me much or more than the attorneys that advertise on television. I can’t say enough good about him! I recommend him highly.
Annette Benson
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a wrongful death?
For most wrongful death claims in Colorado, you have two years from the date of the death of your loved one to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party.
Are there exceptions to the two-year time limit?
There is one main exception. If your loved one died due to a hit-and-run vehicular homicide, the time limit to file a wrongful death lawsuit increases to three years.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado?
If the deceased was married, only their spouse can file a lawsuit during the first year. Otherwise, their children or designated beneficiaries may file. When one year has passed, any of the previously mentioned individuals can file a lawsuit.
Are there caps on how much money I can receive from a wrongful death claim?
Yes. Colorado caps the non-economic damages of a wrongful death claim. This number increases every two years, and the current cap is a little over $2 million.
If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of another party, you have a limited time to act.
What to Expect When You Work with Our Firm
When you choose our firm to handle your personal injury case, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re gaining a partner committed to your recovery. From the first consultation to the final resolution, here’s what you can expect when you work with us: