Colorado Wrongful Death Lawyers
Colorado Springs Wrongful Death
Let's take a look at 5 common causes of wrongful death accidents in the United States today.
- Crime
- On the job accidents
- Dangerous products
- Medical malpractice deaths
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
Someone who kills another person in the course of committing a crime – whether it's directly as a result of an armed robbery or assault or indirectly as an accidental consequence of another crime – can be charged in civil court for wrongful death (in addition to charges at criminal court). Unlike in criminal court, where the prosecution must prove the defendant guilty "beyond a reasonable doubt," in civil court, the prosecution simply must prove its case beyond a "preponderance of evidence." This is a far less strict standard. Plaintiffs often lose their cases in criminal court and yet win in civil court. One famous example of this was the O. J. Simpson murder case. Simpson was found not guilty in criminal court, but he was found guilty in a civil trial for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Simpson, and her boyfriend, Ron Goldman.
E-mail us or call us at 719-475-2555 for a free initial consultation with an experienced Colorado wrongful death attorney.
Not all at-work deaths in Colorado merit a wrongful death suit. The plaintiff must somehow show that the employer or a third party was liable in whole or in part for the death. For instance, let's say someone died in a mining accident. If the plaintiff can show that the mining company or a third party did not provide adequate security or lighting and that this indirectly caused a fatal fall down a mineshaft, then he might win a wrongful death suit.
The makers, distributors, and sellers of products can be held liable for damages, injuries, or deaths caused by their defective and dangerous products. Certain products must carry warning labels and instructions to guide consumers and users. Errors of omission, poorly worded instructions or inappropriate product directions, faulty equipment, and poor quality control can all form the basis of a workplace accident and wrongful death claim.
Medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, can make fatal errors when diagnosing, treating, or prescribing medication for patients. Not all of these errors can form a basis for a wrongful death medical malpractice claim, but many of them can.
Nearly 40,000 people are killed on US roads every year, according to NHTSA statistics. If a driver was negligent, inebriated, or otherwise out of control when he caused a fatal accident in Colorado Springs, he may be liable for damages to the victim's family. Other entities that can find themselves on the business end of a motor vehicle wrongful death lawsuit include insurance companies, the driver's employer, and state agencies responsible for keeping highways and streets safe.
If someone you love was killed in a wrongful death accident, you may have legal recourse against liable parties. Effective legal guidance is key, however. Consider turning to Attorney Timothy Bussey, one Colorado Springs, Colorado's most experienced personal injury attorneys, for a free consultation about your wrongful death case. Phone 719-475-2555, or contact us online to learn more about how the law can help you.
Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer Timothy Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado represents clients in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County, including the cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 475-2555
Fax: (719) 475-0046