Cheyenne Wrongful Death Lawyers

Metier Law Firm: Cheyenne Wrongful Death Attorneys Fighting for Your Family

When a family contacts our firm, they are not handed off to a paralegal or a case manager. Our attorneys engage directly, building a complete picture of the negligence that caused the death and the full scope of what the family has lost. Thorough early preparation is what separates a strong settlement from an inadequate one, and that preparation begins the moment we are retained.

Founding Partner T. Thomas Metier is board-certified in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV peer review rating, the highest available for legal ability and ethics, and has been named to Super Lawyers continuously since 2006. Managing Partner Mike Chaloupka holds a Class A Commercial Driver's License, giving our firm a direct technical understanding of trucking safety standards that few plaintiff firms can match. Our attorneys are licensed across Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, and have litigated wrongful death cases in both state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming.

Families we represent receive:

• Direct attorney access throughout the case, not just at intake
• Immediate investigation preserving physical evidence, black box data, and witness accounts
• A clear, honest explanation of what Wyoming law allows your family to pursue
• Contingency-fee representation, meaning no attorney fees unless we recover

Real Wrongful Death Results From Metier Law Firm

Past results do not guarantee an identical outcome in yours, but they reflect the scale of litigation our firm is prepared to handle. The following settlements were obtained for families who trusted Metier Law Firm to fight for them:

• Wrongful Death Claim: Over $500,000 settlement
• Wrongful Death Claim: Over $1,450,000 settlement
• Wrongful Death Claim: Over $1,700,000 settlement
• Wrongful Death Claim: Over $6,000,000 settlement

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim in Wyoming?

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a person who died because of another party's negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct. Under Wyoming Statute § 1-38-102, the action is brought by a wrongful death representative, typically named in the decedent's will or appointed by a Wyoming court. That representative acts on behalf of all eligible survivors, including a spouse, children, parents, and other dependents recognized under Wyoming law.

Unlike a personal injury claim, the person who suffered the fatal harm cannot speak for themselves in court. The representative steps in to present evidence of negligence, document the family's losses, and hold the responsible party financially accountable. Compensation recovered belongs to the survivors, not the decedent's estate, and Wyoming law protects those proceeds from the decedent's creditors.

Common Causes of Wrongful Death in Cheyenne

Cheyenne sits at the intersection of I-25 and I-80, two of Wyoming's highest-volume freight corridors, making vehicle crashes a persistent source of fatal injuries in the region. According to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the state records more than 100 traffic fatalities annually, with Laramie County among those that consistently see the highest crash concentrations. Winter weather on US-30 and WY-211 compounds those risks significantly.

Beyond the highways, Cheyenne's industrial base contributes to preventable deaths. Oil and gas activity, construction near F.E. Warren Air Force Base, and commercial premises throughout Laramie County all generate wrongful death cases our firm handles. Common causes include:

• Truck and commercial vehicle crashes on I-25, I-80, US-30, and surrounding routes
• Motorcycle accidents caused by inattentive or negligent drivers
• Car accidents involving distracted, impaired, or speeding drivers
• Workplace and industrial accidents, including oil field injuries and construction site fatalities
• Medical malpractice and hospital negligence at Cheyenne-area facilities
• Premises liability, including unsafe conditions on commercial and residential property throughout Laramie County

Compensation Available in Cheyenne Wrongful Death Claims

Wyoming law provides for two broad categories of damages in a wrongful death case. The amount recoverable depends on the circumstances of the death, the decedent's earning history, the nature of each surviving family member's relationship with the deceased, and the strength of the evidence our attorneys develop.

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent the quantifiable financial losses the family has sustained and will continue to sustain. These include:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment and hospitalization costs incurred before death, including ambulance, surgery, and intensive care
• Funeral and Burial Costs: Reasonable expenses directly related to the burial, cremation, or memorial services
• Lost Income and Benefits: The wages, salary, bonuses, retirement contributions, and employment benefits the decedent would have earned over their remaining working years
• Loss of Household Services: The quantified monetary value of domestic contributions, childcare, and home maintenance that the decedent provided

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address harms that carry real, lasting weight on the surviving family but are not captured in a paycheck or a bill. Wyoming law recognizes these losses as compensable. These include:

• Loss of Consortium: The loss of the marital relationship, companionship, and intimacy a surviving spouse has suffered
• Loss of Parental Guidance: The loss of guidance, instruction, emotional support, and care a surviving child will no longer receive
• Grief and Emotional Suffering: The documented emotional harm endured by surviving family members as a direct result of the loss

How Fault Affects a Cheyenne Wrongful Death Claim

Wyoming applies a modified comparative fault standard under Wyoming Statute § 1-1-109. Under this rule, a claimant's recovery is reduced in proportion to the decedent's share of fault. If the decedent is found to be 51% or more at fault, the surviving family cannot recover any damages, making the initial fault analysis one of the most consequential phases of every case.

Defense attorneys and insurance carriers investigate crash scenes and interview witnesses specifically to build a case that the decedent contributed to the accident. Our attorneys respond with a parallel investigation from the moment we are retained. Black box data is preserved under legal hold, reconstruction specialists are engaged early, and treating physicians are consulted to establish a clear record of how the defendant's conduct caused the death.

Wyoming Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations

Wyoming law imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death claims. Under the Wyoming Code of Civil Procedure, the deadline generally runs from the date of death. Missing it deprives the family of its right to pursue compensation in Wyoming courts, regardless of how strong the evidence may be.

Certain circumstances can affect when the clock starts or whether a tolling exception applies, particularly in cases involving medical negligence or a delayed identification of the responsible party. Contacting a Cheyenne wrongful death attorney as soon as possible protects the family's legal options and allows our team to begin preserving evidence while the record is still fresh.

Contact a Cheyenne Wrongful Death Lawyer at Metier Law Firm Today

Your family deserves attorneys who fight as hard in the courtroom as they do at the negotiating table. Metier Law Firm represents wrongful death families throughout Cheyenne and Wyoming on a contingency basis, meaning no fees unless we recover. 

Contact a Cheyenne wrongful death lawyer at our firm today by calling (866) 377-3800 to discuss your family's case in a free, confidential consultation.