Death Benefits and Workers’ Compensation Benefits in Colorado

No one goes to work expecting the worst to happen. Yet each year, over 5000 workers, on average, die on the job. Devastated families are often left to pick up the pieces. In Colorado, death benefits under workers' compensation are designed to provide financial support to the dependents of a deceased worker. However, not all families know about this valuable benefit.

At Flaxman Law Group, our compassionate workers’ compensation attorneys are here to guide you through the process of obtaining the benefits you need during this difficult time. If you’ve lost a loved one, contact our Denver offices at 970-999-0530 for a free, no obligation case consultation with a caring workers’ compensation lawyer who can talk about death benefits and workers’ compensation benefits in Colorado.

When a worker loses their life in a workplace accident or due to an occupational illness, their surviving family members may be entitled to death benefits. These benefits help the family cope with the financial impact of losing a loved one who was the primary wage earner.

In Colorado, these benefits usually go to the worker’s spouse or minor children. Under CO Code § 8-42-114 (2021), dependents are eligible for sixty-six and two-thirds percent of the fatally injured employee’s average weekly wages, up to a state maximum. The benefits continue until a spouse remarries or until they pass away. Minor children receive benefits until age 18, or until age 21, if they’re in school full-time.

In addition, the employer or their insurer pay funeral or memorial expenses for the employee, up to $7,000. They also should pay for final medical expenses.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is an emotional experience already, and trying to handle the process of pursuing death benefits and workers’ compensation benefits in Colorado on top of that can be too much. Working with a caring and experienced workers' compensation lawyer in Colorado can help. Your attorney can take care of the details so you can focus on healing. A Colorado workers’ compensation lawyer can also handle many of the complex situations that can happen with these cases:

• There may be multiple dependents, so the benefits may need to be divided.
• Some insurers delay or deny rightful workers’ compensation claims.
• Filling out the paperwork can be complicated.
• Calculating the average weekly wage and determining what benefits you’re eligible for is complex.

An experienced lawyer can take care of all of the above and can also negotiate with insurers on your behalf, saving you from this sometimes-painful process. Through it all, your workers’ compensation lawyer is working to get the most compensation for you and your future.

Flaxman Law Group is here for you in difficult times. If you’ve lost a loved one due to workplace accident, illness, or injury, contact our Denver offices at 970-999-0530 for a free, no obligation case consultation with a Colorado workers’ compensation lawyer. Our law firm includes a father-son attorney team and we’re proud to say we’ve helped thousands of injured people. In fact, we have recovered over $100 million on behalf of those who have been injured or who have lost a loved one. Give us a call today and let’s discuss ways to protect your future.