Losing a loved one due to another's negligence is devastating. Colorado law provides specific rights and remedies for surviving families.
Legal notice: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state — always consult a licensed attorney before making any legal decisions.
Statute of Limitations
Colorado statute of limitations for wrongful death claims: 3 years from the date of death. Contact an attorney immediately.
Under C.R.S. § 13-21-201, the surviving spouse has the exclusive right to bring a wrongful death claim during the first year after the death. After one year, the deceased's children may also file. Colorado allows recovery for grief, loss of companionship, impairment of mental and physical capacity, and lost financial support — a relatively broad non-economic damages standard.
Colorado-Specific Tip
Colorado has a unique two-year window for wrongful death claims (C.R.S. § 13-21-204), but note the special first-year rule giving the surviving spouse exclusive standing. Colorado also allows a survival action for the deceased's own pre-death pain and suffering and economic losses. Both claims should be filed simultaneously by your Colorado wrongful death attorney.
📊 Colorado allows both wrongful death claims and survival actions to be filed simultaneously — ask your attorney about both.
Contact a Colorado wrongful death attorney immediately
Preserve all evidence related to the incident
Obtain the official death certificate
Document all expenses — medical, funeral, and burial
Do NOT accept any early settlement
Be aware of the 3-year statute of limitations running from the date of death
Ask your attorney about filing both a wrongful death claim AND a survival action
3 years from the date of death. Colorado has a unique two-year window for wrongful death claims (C.R.S. § 13-21-204), but note the special first-year rule giving the surviving spouse exclusive standing. Colorado also allows a survival action for the deceased's own pre-death pain and suffering and economic losses. Both claims should be filed simultaneously by your Colorado wrongful death attorney.
Under C.R.S. § 13-21-201, the surviving spouse has the exclusive right to bring a wrongful death claim during the first year after the death. After one year, the deceased's children may also file. Colorado allows recovery for grief, loss of companionship, impairment of mental and physical capacity, and lost financial support — a relatively broad non-economic damages standard.
Under C.R.S. § 13-21-201, the surviving spouse has the exclusive right to bring a wrongful death claim during the first year after the death. After one year, the deceased's children may also file. Colorado allows recovery for grief, loss of companionship, impairment of mental and physical capacity, and lost financial support — a relatively broad non-economic damages standard. Contact a Colorado wrongful death attorney to confirm who has standing in your specific situation.
No upfront cost. Contingency fees — you only pay if you win.
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