Utah Wrongful Death Lawyer
Free case review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you. Utah only.
After a death caused by someone else’s negligence in Utah, families face insurers, reports, and deadlines at the same time. We handle the claim so you can focus on the people who matter.
Free case review
AV-ratedby Martindale-Hubbell
“The Best of 2026”Cottonwood Heights · Personal Injury
40+ yearshelping injured people
You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.Free case review
★★★★★
“I have felt very well taken care of in my case and represented well. Tyler has been very good at communicating with me and helping me get the care I need.”
— Emily S.
★★★★★
“From the very beginning Scott was amazing. He made me feel heard, supported and genuinely cared for during what was a very stressful time.”
— Alma Z.
★★★★★
“After a devastating auto accident, Brian Coutts stepped up to save the day. He was immediately available when needed and he treated me with unfailing patience and compassion.”
— Teresa Z.
What a Utah wrongful death claim is
When someone dies because of another person’s negligence in Utah — a fatal crash, a fire, a premises failure, a defective product, or a workplace incident involving a third party — surviving family members may have a civil claim separate from any criminal case. The claim is about accountability and the losses the law recognizes: funeral expenses, lost financial support, and the impact on those left behind.
Who may bring the claim depends on Utah’s wrongful death statutes and the family’s situation. We explain that in plain English on a free call. We handle Utah cases only.
If your family is grieving and dealing with insurers at the same time, call (801) 255-2102 for a free case review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Common Utah causes we see
Wrongful death claims in Utah often follow the same patterns as other serious injury matters — but the outcome is a death, and the family is left to handle the claim.
- Fatal car and truck wrecks — high-speed collisions on I-15, I-80, I-215, or local roads. See our Utah car accident lawyer page when the facts are primarily auto.
- Pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities — crosswalks, dark roads, and commercial vehicles.
- Premises failures — falls, missing safety measures, or known hazards on someone else’s property.
- Fire and burn-related deaths — apartment or structure fires, workplace flash events. Related: Utah burn injury lawyer and our Utah catastrophic injury lawyer page.
- Product defects — equipment, vehicles, or consumer products that fail with fatal results.
- Workplace third-party incidents — workers’ compensation may address some employer-side benefits; a claim against a negligent contractor, equipment maker, or other non-employer may still exist.
- Government / UDOT / UTA — claims involving a city, county, the State, UDOT, or UTA can trigger short notice rules. Our Utah injury deadlines tool explains the general timing.
Deadlines matter — and they are not the same for every file
Private wrongful death claims in Utah often run on a shorter clock than many general injury suits. Claims against government entities can require notice even sooner. None of that is something a webpage should auto-calculate into a hard “you have until” date.
Use our Utah injury deadlines for general timing education. Then call so a lawyer can look at your facts — who the defendants are, when the death occurred, and whether any notice rules apply. Do not rely on this page as a calendar.
Insurance after a fatal wreck
Adjusters sometimes call within days of a funeral. They may ask for a recorded statement about the crash, press for an early “final” check, or send release papers before the family understands coverage, fault, or what Utah law allows.
You generally do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s carrier just because they ask. Our recorded statement guide explains the risks in plain English. If an early settlement check feels wrong, read the insurance low-offer guide before anyone signs.
Crash reports and police reports that are not ready
Families often wait on a Utah crash report or police report while insurers keep calling. The report can matter for fault and coverage, but delay is common — especially after a fatal investigation.
See our Utah crash report guide for how to request a report, and police report not ready when the agency has not released it yet. You can still call us for a free review while those documents are pending.
Damages families often seek
Utah wrongful death claims may address funeral and burial costs, lost financial support and services, and losses to surviving family members that the statutes recognize — including consortium-type harms where the law allows. Exact categories depend on the defendants, the proof, and who may bring the claim.
We do not publish settlement averages, verdict widgets, or case-value calculators. A free case review is how we talk through what may apply — without a dollar promise on a webpage.
Related catastrophic and injury pages
Wrongful death often sits next to other life-changing harm — severe burns, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, or amputation among survivors of the same incident. For that broader context, see Utah catastrophic injury lawyer. Fatal fires also connect to burn injury. Fatal wrecks connect to car accident.
Cottonwood Heights office · Utah only
Nuttall Brown & Coutts reviews Utah wrongful death claims from 6925 Union Park Center, Suite 210, Cottonwood Heights, UT 84047. We take cases statewide along the Wasatch Front and beyond. Personal injury is all we do. An attorney here works the file — not a national call center.
Free case review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you. Call (801) 255-2102.
FAQ
Who can bring a Utah wrongful death claim?
Utah law limits who may sue and how proceeds are shared. Spouses, children, parents, and other heirs may be involved depending on the family and the statute. We sort that on a free call — this FAQ is not a complete heir list.
How long do we have to act after a fatal crash in Utah?
It depends on the defendants and the type of claim. Private wrongful death often uses a shorter clock than many injury suits, and government notice can be shorter still. We do not print a hard deadline date on this page. Use the deadlines tool for general education, then call so we can review your file.
Should we talk to the insurance company before calling a lawyer?
Be careful. Early recorded statements and quick releases can hurt the claim. Read our recorded statement and low-offer guides, then call (801) 255-2102 before you commit to anything on tape or on paper.
What if the police report is not ready yet?
That is common after a fatal investigation. You can still request a crash report when available and speak with counsel while waiting. See get crash report and police report not ready.
Is there a fee to talk about a Utah wrongful death case?
No. Free case review. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
The lawyers
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell. 40+ years of personal injury work. Utah Bar. Licensed in state and federal court and before the U.S. Supreme Court.
More than 25 years at the firm. BYU J.D., cum laude. Utah Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for Utah, Tenth Circuit.
Free tools for your next steps
Organize photos, keep a daily symptom record or prepare for a case review. Open the free accident resources. You can call before every item is complete.