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A wrongful death lawsuit is usually filed on behalf of an individual whose death was caused by a wrongful act or someone else’s negligent behavior. A spouse, parent, child, or the estate of the deceased are usually the first to bring forth a wrongful death lawsuit. In order for any of the parties listed above to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Colorado, they must first establish that the decedent would have had the grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit had they survived the incident [Source: Colorado Revised Statute §13-21-202].

Examples of When a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Might be Filed

To help individuals gain a better understanding of what a wrongful death lawsuit is, below are a few examples of when a family member might decide to file one on behalf of their deceased loved one.

Driver negligence. Drivers who operate their vehicle while intoxicated, distracted, or in a reckless manner can be sued if their actions cause a fatal accident to occur. In some cases, if the accident was caused by a truck driver, his/her employer may also be included in a lawsuit as most trucking companies are responsible for the accidents their drivers cause.
City negligence. For example, if Denver city workers failed to ensure roadways were properly marked and sufficiently lighted, the City of Denver could potentially be held liable if a fatal accident was caused by mismarked roads or poorly lit streets.
Medical negligence. A doctor who fails to provide a patient with the standard level of care and causes their death as a result of it could be sued for wrongful death.
Property owner negligence. Properties in Colorado should be free from unsafe or hazardous conditions that could cause harm to someone who enters the premises. If a public or private property owner or even a construction company that is in the process of constructing a building leave the premises in an unsafe condition, either party could be held liable if their negligence leads to someone’s death.

How much is generally paid out for wrongful death lawsuits?

A wrongful death lawsuit could result in a family walking away with $500,000 in damages or even $5 million. It all comes down to how the incident occurred and how the loss has impacted those bringing forth the lawsuit. Generally, the plaintiff in a wrongful death case may be awarded the following damages given they are entitled to them:

Pain and suffering
Medical expenses, if the decedent received care for their injuries before passing away.
Mental anguish
Loss of companionship
Grief
Emotional stress
Burial expenses

If a family in Colorado recently lost someone they love and their death was caused by a wrongful act or someone else’s negligent behavior, they are encouraged to contact Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC to speak with a Denver, Colorado wrongful death attorney. The CO wrongful death lawyers at Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC can help a family understand what their legal rights are and obtain justice for their loved one’s death.

Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC can be reached at:

333 W. Hampden Avenue, #420B

Englewood, CO 80110

Phone: 720-923-2333

Website: www.btlawdenver.com

It isn’t uncommon for police officers to mistake an innocent individual for a criminal whose description they happen to match. Unfortunately, what also isn’t uncommon is for police to apply excessive force when they come in contact with the person whom they believe is responsible for committing a crime. When an individual is mistaken for a suspect and is physically harmed because of an officer’s error in judgment, they may hold the right to sue for the injuries they suffered as a result of the incident.

What is excessive force and is it considered illegal behavior?

Excessive force is a level of force that exceeds what is considered reasonable. For example, if an officer were to become violent toward an individual who he/she stopped who did not pose as a threat to the officer’s safety, this behavior might be considered excessive force as there was no need for physical force to be applied. When an officer of the law applies excessive force, they or their department can be held liable for their behavior in multiple ways.

How to hold a Denver, CO police officer accountable for applying excessive force?

There are a few different ways a victim of excessive force can hold a Denver, CO police officer accountable for their misconduct, some of which are described down below.

File a complaint with the Office of Independent Monitor (OIM)

The OIM accepts complaints filed against police officers and forwards them to the Internal Affairs Bureau of the Denver Police and/or Sheriff Departments. They are then assigned to a sergeant for review. Although complaints are forwarded to Internal Affairs, the OIM says it does it will monitor to the process to “ensure that it is handled in a reasonable and appropriate manner.”

Contact a Denver, CO police brutality lawyer.

Although filing a complaint will help to recognize an officer for their misconduct, it won’t provide a victim with any sort of relief for the pain and suffering they experienced as a result of it. If an individual is looking to recover compensation to serve as a form of relief for the mistreatment they were subjected to, they will need to discuss filing a civil lawsuit with a Denver, CO police brutality attorney.

Civil lawsuits can name a police officer as a defendant and even the department they work for. In some cases, the city may also be held liable for the excessive force an officer applies. Knowing who to sue and how much to sue for is something a qualified Denver police brutality lawyer will be able to determine.

Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC Can Help with Excessive Force Complaints

If an individual suffered injuries as a result of excessive force being applied and they are looking to hold a Denver officer liable for compensating them for the damages they suffered, they can contact Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC for legal help. The attorneys at Bryan & Terrill Law, PLLC can help a victim of police misconduct obtain the justice they deserve and potentially recover compensation for medical expenses, embarrassment, mental anguish, and more.