Oklahoma Wrongful Death Lawyers Who Puts Families' Needs First
We can help you take a stand and demand compensation
Wrongful death cases in Oklahoma demand strong legal action. If a loved one died in an accident because of someone else's careless or reckless behavior, make sure you hold that person or company accountable. Make sure you talk to an attorney at our Oklahoma law firm.
With more than 40 years of experience handling complicated personal injury and wrongful death cases in Oklahoma, Lawter & Associates, PLLC, knows how to help families reeling from the loss of a loved one. As your lawyer, we can demand the compensation your family rightfully deserves.
We also understand that your case is about more than money. It’s about justice. It’s about sending a message that negligent or reckless behavior won’t be tolerated in Oklahoma. We’re aware of the sensitive and complex nature of such legal cases. That’s why we’re eager to work with you. We want to help make Oklahoma a safer place to live for you and everyone else.
What is wrongful death?
Wrongful death is a legal term used to describe a fatal accident or death caused by someone else’s negligence or misconduct. For a legal case to be classified a wrongful death, evidence of wrongdoing often needs to be provided in support of such claims. In most cases, surviving family members then file a wrongful death lawsuit, which is a civil action distinct from any criminal cases or charges against the at-fault party.
How much is my case worth?
There is no set dollar amount when it comes to wrongful death claims or lawsuits. Each one has its own distinct challenges and situations. As a result, some cases might be worth thousands of dollars, while others might be worth millions. The key is your family should be financially compensated for all expenses related to your loved one’s death. This often includes emergency medical care, overnight hospital stays and other medical expenses. In addition, the value of your case will depend heavily on the loss of income due to your loved one’s death. Specifically, you deserve to be compensated for how much money your loved one could have reasonably earned during their lifetime. An experienced attorney knows how to take lost earnings and other factors into account when determining the estimated value of your case.
Does insurance cover wrongful death claims?
In many cases, the answer is yes. The at-fault party’s insurance company often compensates surviving family members for expenses related to the death of a loved one. These insurance policies can range from car insurance to home insurance or insurance policies for medical malpractice. However, just because an insurance policy should cover your claim does not mean it automatically will do so. That’s why it’s critical that you discuss any potential claim with an attorney familiar with complex cases in Oklahoma.
How does a wrongful death lawsuit work?
If you decide to file a wrongful death lawsuit in pursuit of financial compensation, there are often many steps to this process. First, you will likely need to prove that you have the right to take legal action. These lawsuits can often only be filed by immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, etc.). Next, you will need to provide evidence that the at-fault party’s actions (or inaction) resulted in your loved one’s death. In addition, you need to file a lawsuit within a certain period of time. In Oklahoma, it’s two years from the date of your loved one’s death. An attorney can conduct an independent investigation on your family’s behalf and file your lawsuit. Your lawsuit will then be filed in the appropriate court against the party that caused your loved one’s death.
Who pays for a wrongful death lawsuit?
If a court (often a jury trial) finds that the at-fault party was responsible for your loved one’s death, the at-fault party is normally responsible for paying the amount of money awarded to the people who filed the lawsuit. Often, the jury will specify exactly how much money should be awarded in the form of a jury verdict. The at-fault party and/or their insurance company must then pay this money to whoever filed the lawsuit. Remember, a wrongful death lawsuit is a civil lawsuit separate from any possible criminal charges related to the death of someone.
Why should I hire a lawyer to handle my case?
Your case might seem straightforward. Someone did something to cause the death of your husband, wife or child. The person or company that caused the accident might have even admitted wrongdoing.
But wrongful death cases can quickly become extremely complicated. Stories change. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. Most of all, the at-fault party or their insurance company might stand in your way for justice. They might deny doing anything wrong or claim your loved one is to blame.
Whatever the circumstances of your case, don't take chances with your future. You have too much at stake. Talk to a lawyer and learn more about your legal rights. An attorney can review the details of your case and explain the legal options available to you. That way, you can take a stand and demand the compensation your family deserves.
Don't wait to take legal action. Contact us right now. We can help.
Experience matters. That's why families dealing with the wrongful death loss of a loved one in Oklahoma routinely rely on us to help them make things right. We know what evidence to look for, and we have the case results to prove it.
Don't wait to take legal action. Contact us right now. Call (866) 584-1027 for our Oklahoma City office or (866) 584-1028 for our Tulsa office and schedule a free case evaluation. Best of all, you only pay fees if you win. That's because we work on a contingency fee basis. It's that simple.
Lawter & Associates, PLLC - we're here for your family every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions about wrongful death accidents in Oklahoma:
- What are common causes of wrongful death accidents?
- Who investigates wrongful death accidents in Oklahoma?
- Should I talk to an insurance company if they call about my wrongful death case?
- Should I accept a financial offer for my wrongful death case?
- Can I negotiate for more money for my wrongful death case?
- Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit in Oklahoma?
- Why should I hire Lawter & Associates to handle my wrongful death case?
What are common causes of wrongful death accidents?
Wrongful death cases can cover a wide range. Some of the most common accidents leading to wrongful death claims involve motor vehicle accidents, including crashes caused by cars, trucks or motorcycles. Other times, these cases involve fatal accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. Fatal workplace accidents and medical malpractice cases are common, too. Whatever type of wrongful death case you're dealing with, contact us. We can make sure your case receives the attention it rightfully deserves.
Who investigates wrongful death accidents in Oklahoma?
The local, state or federal agency responsible for investigating wrongful death cases in Oklahoma can vary widely. In most cases, local police departments and Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigate fatal motor vehicle accidents.
But no matter what type of fatality occurred because of someone else's behavior, attorneys representing the person responsible for the fatal accident often become involved. Wrongful death attorneys can even help police in a prosecution.
Should I talk to an insurance company if they call about my wrongful death case?
If the at-fault party's insurance company contacts you, your smartest move is to say no comment. Do not answer their questions, no matter how polite they seem or how innocent their questions appear. Most insurance companies only care about one thing - paying injury victims as little as possible. They're often able to deny a claim or reduce liability by getting victim's family members to make statements about the victim. They might later take your words out of context or twist them to put your loved one in a bad light. You can refer the insurance company adjuster's questions to your lawyer. Contact us if you have not retained one yet. We can be your voice.
Should I accept a financial offer for my wrongful death case?
Before you accept any money from an insurance company or anyone else for the wrongful death of a loved one, we strongly advise you to contact an attorney. What might seem like a fair deal might not even come close to covering the true cost of your fatal accident.
Insurance companies often take a very narrow view of compensation for families of fatal accidents. We look at the big picture. If someone died, you have to consider more than just medical expenses and funeral expenses. You need compensation for the entire surviving family, not just one person, and also to consider lost income, lost future income and pain and suffering. Contact us and explore your legal options.
Can I negotiate for more money for my wrongful death?
Yes. Insurance companies don't want people to know that they can ask for more money than the initial offer for their wrongful death claim. Injury victims can - and should - consider negotiating for more money. That's why you need an experienced attorney on your side who understands the system and has a strong track record of obtaining sizable verdicts and settlements.
Can I file a wrongful death lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Yes. Sometimes, the best way to be fairly compensated for a fatal accident is to file a lawsuit. Knowing if this is the right route to take can be a challenge. Contact our Tulsa OK personal injury law firm. We can meet with you and discuss all the legal options available to you.
Why should I hire Lawter & Associates to handle my wrongful death case?
Wrongful death cases are among the most complicated legal cases in Oklahoma. Even if someone clearly caused the death of a loved one, you may face an uphill battle with the insurance company for the at-fault party. Without question, wrongful death cases can be very confusing and become very contentious.
Dealing with the sudden death of a loved one can be overwhelming. You have enough things to worry about during this difficult time. The last thing on your mind should be whether you hired the right attorney.
At Lawter & Associates, PLLC, we have years of experience handling these cases. We know what evidence to look for, and we have the case results to prove it. Put your trust in us. Call (866) 584-1027 for our Oklahoma City office or (866) 584-1028 for our Tulsa office and schedule a free case evaluation.
Lawter & Associates, PLLC
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Phone: (405) 525-4131
Lawter & Associates, PLLC
Tulsa, OK 74136
Phone: (918) 496-9577