Aurora’s rapid growth along the I-225 and E-470 corridors has brought increased traffic density and construction activity, creating dangerous conditions that have tragically resulted in fatal accidents near major intersections like Iliff Avenue and Peoria Street. If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence near the Anschutz Medical Campus, Southlands, or anywhere in Aurora, you’re facing not only devastating grief but complex legal challenges involving Colorado’s wrongful death statutes and the Arapahoe County Court system.
Get a Free Wrongful Death Case Review
As a dedicated Aurora personal injury law firm, Cheney Galluzzi & Howard understands the profound impact that losing a family member has on surviving loved ones. Our wrongful death attorneys are part of our wider legal services in Aurora, and we bring extensive experience navigating Colorado’s wrongful death laws to ensure your family receives the justice and compensation you deserve during this unimaginably difficult time.
How We Held a Commercial Vehicle Company Accountable
Recently, we represented a family whose loved one was killed in a collision involving a commercial vehicle on Smoky Hill Road near Buckley Space Force Base. The case required coordinating with the Aurora Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit, obtaining traffic camera footage from the Colorado Department of Transportation, and navigating the complexities of federal contractor liability. Through meticulous investigation and aggressive advocacy, we secured a substantial settlement that provided financial stability for the surviving spouse and children.
Navigating Aurora’s Multi-County Jurisdiction
Our team is intimately familiar with the procedural requirements of filing wrongful death claims in the Arapahoe County District Court, including Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-201 through § 13-21-203, which govern who may bring a wrongful death action and the two-year statute of limitations. We also understand how Aurora’s unique jurisdictional boundaries—spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties—can impact venue selection and court procedures.
Our Aurora Wrongful Death Legal Process
Step 1: Comprehensive Investigation at the Scene
We immediately begin gathering critical evidence, including requesting accident reconstruction reports from the Aurora Police Department, obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses along Colfax Avenue or Havana Street, and interviewing eyewitnesses while memories are fresh.
Step 2: Filing and Legal Documentation
Our attorneys prepare and file all necessary paperwork with the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s Office (or the appropriate county based on jurisdiction), ensuring compliance with Colorado’s strict procedural rules and filing deadlines to preserve your family’s right to compensation.
Step 3: Negotiation and Trial Representation
We engage in settlement negotiations with insurance companies and defense counsel, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial at the Arapahoe County Justice Center if a fair settlement cannot be reached. Our courtroom experience ensures your family’s story is heard and your loved one’s memory is honored.
Why Choose Cheney Galluzzi & Howard for Your Aurora Wrongful Death Case
The attorneys at Cheney Galluzzi & Howard bring decades of combined experience handling complex wrongful death litigation in Aurora and throughout Colorado. We understand that no settlement can replace your loved one, but financial compensation can provide stability, cover overwhelming expenses, and hold negligent parties accountable.
Our Comprehensive Legal Support
Personalized Case Evaluation: During your free initial consultation, we listen to your story, review the circumstances of your loss, and provide honest guidance about your legal options and the strength of your potential claim.
Meticulous Investigation: Our team conducts exhaustive investigations, working with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, economists, and other specialists to build the strongest possible case. We leave no stone unturned in establishing liability and documenting damages.
Skilled Negotiation: Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts to grieving families. We engage in aggressive negotiations that reflect the true value of your loss and refuse to accept lowball settlement offers that don’t adequately compensate your family.
Proven Trial Experience: While many cases settle, we’re always prepared to take your case to trial. Our courtroom success speaks for itself, and insurance companies know we won’t back down from litigation when necessary.
Protection of Your Rights: Throughout the entire legal process, we serve as your advocates, ensuring you’re treated fairly and that procedural deadlines and legal requirements are met to preserve your claim.
Contact Our Aurora Wrongful Death Attorneys Today
Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is a tragedy no family should endure alone. The legal complexities of wrongful death claims in Colorado can feel overwhelming when you’re grieving, but you don’t have to navigate this process by yourself.
Cheney Galluzzi & Howard is here to provide compassionate, experienced legal representation that honors your loved one’s memory while fighting for the justice and compensation your family deserves. Our Aurora wrongful death lawyers handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
Schedule your free, confidential consultation today. Let us shoulder the legal burden while you and your family begin the difficult journey of moving forward. We’re committed to providing unwavering advocacy and support from your first call through final resolution.
Related Aurora Legal Services
If your loved one’s death resulted from a traffic collision, our Aurora car accident lawyers have extensive experience handling fatal crash cases involving negligent drivers. For deaths caused by large commercial vehicles on I-70 or E-470, our Aurora truck accident lawyers understand the complexities of federal motor carrier regulations and corporate liability.When a death involves severe injuries that led to a prolonged period of suffering before passing, our Aurora catastrophic injury lawyers can help you understand how to pursue both wrongful death and survival action claims. If medical negligence at one of Aurora’s hospitals contributed to your loved one’s death, our Aurora medical malpractice lawyers can investigate whether healthcare providers failed to meet the standard of care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora Wrongful Death Claims
What is a wrongful death claim?
A wrongful death claim arises when an individual’s death results from another party’s negligent, reckless, or intentional actions. Colorado law provides a framework for surviving family members to seek accountability and compensation when someone’s careless or wrongful conduct causes a fatal injury.
Common wrongful death scenarios in Aurora include fatal car accidents caused by distracted or impaired drivers, medical malpractice at local hospitals, dangerous property conditions, workplace accidents, and defective products.
What must you prove to win a wrongful death case in Aurora?
To succeed in a wrongful death claim, we must establish four essential elements:
Duty of Care – The defendant must have owed a legal duty to the deceased to act reasonably and responsibly. For example, all drivers on Aurora’s roads owe a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws. Healthcare providers at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital owe patients a duty to provide competent medical care.
Breach of Duty – We must prove the defendant failed to uphold their duty through negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. This might include a distracted driver running a red light at the intersection of Alameda Avenue and Chambers Road, or a property owner failing to maintain safe premises.
Causation – The breach must have directly caused your loved one’s death. This requires thorough investigation, medical record analysis, expert testimony, and accident reconstruction to establish the clear link between the defendant’s actions and the fatal outcome.
Damages – We must demonstrate measurable losses suffered by surviving family members, including both economic and non-economic harm.
How do you prove the defendant caused my loved one’s death?
Establishing causation requires meticulous investigation and compelling evidence. We work with:
- Accident reconstruction experts who analyze crash scenes, vehicle damage, and physical evidence
- Medical experts who review autopsy reports, medical records, and injury patterns to confirm cause of death
- Forensic specialists who examine evidence like traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and maintenance logs
- Eyewitnesses who can testify about what happened
In Aurora cases, we coordinate directly with the Aurora Police Department’s Major Crash Investigations Unit, obtain traffic camera footage from CDOT, and work with local medical examiners to build an airtight case proving the defendant’s actions directly caused your loved one’s death.
What is the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Aurora, Colorado?
Under Colorado law, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years from the date of death. However, there are exceptions depending on the circumstances, such as cases involving government entities or medical malpractice, which may have shorter notice requirements. Consulting with an Aurora wrongful death attorney immediately is crucial to protecting your rights.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Aurora?
Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-21-201 specifies that the surviving spouse has the first right to file during the first year after death. If there is no spouse or the spouse does not file, the deceased’s children may bring the claim. After one year, parents of the deceased (if no spouse or children exist) may file. A wrongful death attorney can help determine proper standing.
What damages can be recovered in an Aurora wrongful death case?
Colorado law allows recovery for economic damages (medical expenses prior to death, funeral and burial costs, lost wages and future earnings, loss of benefits) and non-economic damages (loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support). In cases involving gross negligence or willful conduct, punitive damages may also be available.