At Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers, our Tulsa wrongful death lawyer stands with families during their hardest moments. Tulsa sees hundreds of preventable deaths each year. Many lead to wrongful death claims seeking justice and compensation. These tragic losses from car accidents, medical malpractice, workplace incidents, and other acts of negligence leave families facing grief and financial problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that preventable accidents remain a top cause of death across Oklahoma.
We know that no settlement can replace your loved one or ease your pain. Our wrongful death attorneys fight to hold careless parties accountable. We work to secure the compensation your family needs. We handle every part of your wrongful death lawsuit while you focus on healing. Whether your loss happened in Tulsa or anywhere in Oklahoma, we provide the legal support and caring help you deserve.
Our Tulsa Wrongful Death Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
We commit ourselves to protecting families who lost loved ones due to someone else’s carelessness or wrongful actions. Our Tulsa wrongful death attorney is well-versed in Oklahoma wrongful death statutes. This includes the strict statutory timelines and legal procedures. We know how to gather evidence, prove causation, and build cases that hold wrongdoers accountable. Insurance companies often use wrongful denial tactics to pay less to grieving families.
We stand between you and these powerful groups to fight for full compensation. Our personal injury lawyers pursue every dollar available for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills, and lost income. We also seek non-economic damages, such as loss of consortium, mental pain, and anguish. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical specialists, and expert witnesses to build the strongest case possible. You deserve justice and financial support after such a bad loss.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims
Oklahoma law requires wrongful death lawsuits to be filed by the personal representative or executor of the deceased’s estate. Surviving spouses, children, or parents cannot file directly on their own. If your loved one named a representative in their will, that person handles the lawsuit. If there is no will, the court appoints an administrator or a guardian. This is usually the spouse or the closest adult family member.
The personal representative acts on behalf of all beneficiaries who suffered losses as a result of the death. This legal rule protects everyone’s interests. It also ensures proper distribution of any settlement or verdict. Oklahoma’s modified comparative negligence system means the deceased must be found less than 51% at fault. Only then can survivors recover compensation.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death
Wrongful deaths result from many types of accidents and careless conduct throughout Tulsa and Oklahoma. These preventable tragedies happen when people, companies, or groups fail to use reasonable care. Knowing what caused your loved one’s death helps us find liable parties. It also helps us pursue full accountability.
Common causes we handle include:
- Motor vehicle accidents: Fatal car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents on Tulsa roads
- Medical negligence: Medical malpractice, surgical errors, and medication mistakes by medical professionals
- Work accidents: Industrial accidents, construction accidents, and work-related injuries from unsafe conditions
- Premises liability: Slip and fall accidents and dangerous property conditions
- Dangerous products: Product liability injuries from defective goods and equipment
- Nursing home injuries: Neglect and abuse in care facilities
Types of Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases
Oklahoma law allows families to recover different types of damages after a wrongful death. These damages aim to pay for both monetary losses and emotional pain caused by the loss of a loved one. The total compensation depends on many things. This includes the deceased’s age, income, and relationships with survivors. We fight to get the most for every part of your civil claims.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover actual money losses with clear dollar amounts. These costs often begin right after the death. They continue affecting families for years. We calculate the full value of economic damages by reviewing medical records, bills, and financial documents. Oklahoma law allows recovery for all reasonable expenses related to the death.
Economic damages include:
- Medical and burial expenses: Doctor visits, hospital stays, funeral costs, and burial services
- Medical bills: Treatment costs between the injury and death
- Lost income: Wages and benefits the deceased would have earned over their lifetime
- Loss of support: Money contributions the deceased provided to the family
- Loss of services: Value of household work and care the deceased performed
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages pay for losses without a set price tag. These damages recognize the emotional and personal impact of losing a family member. Oklahoma law provides for full compensation of emotional losses. There are no caps in wrongful death cases. This means families can pursue complete recovery for their emotional pain.
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress the deceased felt before death
- Loss of consortium: Loss of companionship, love, and closeness for the surviving spouse
- Grief: Emotional suffering, mental pain, and anguish for all family members
- Loss of companionship: Loss of guidance, nurturing, and support from parents or children
- Punitive damages: Extra compensation to punish extreme carelessness or intentional harm
Why Choose Hasbrook & Hasbrook for Your Wrongful Death Case
Our firm brings decades of combined experience handling wrongful death cases across Tulsa and Oklahoma. We treat every client with compassion while fighting hard for their rights. Our proven track record shows we get results for families seeking justice after preventable deaths. We know Tulsa courts, local procedures, and the challenges families face in our community.
Past clients recommend us because we provide expert attention while offering emotional support throughout the legal process. We have recovered millions in settlements and trial verdicts for families who lost loved ones. Our Tulsa attorneys work closely with accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and expert witnesses. We conduct deep investigations. We also perform forensic analysis when needed to prove negligence and causation in complex cases.
Personalized Legal Guidance
We create custom strategies for each wrongful death case based on its unique details. No two families face the same situations or have the same needs after losing a loved one. Our team takes time to understand your loved one’s life, relationships, and how their death impacts your family. We provide dedicated support through both the legal challenges and emotional difficulties you face.
Our personal injury lawyers keep in regular contact to keep you informed throughout the process. We explain complex Oklahoma wrongful death statutes and procedures in simple terms you can understand. We handle all talks with insurance companies and opposing lawyers so you can focus on grieving. This personalized approach ensures you feel supported from the first meeting through the final distribution of any recovery.
Steps to Take After a Wrongful Death
Taking the right actions after losing a loved one protects your legal rights to compensation. The days and weeks following a death bring overwhelming emotions and hard decisions. Knowing which steps to take helps preserve evidence and strengthens your wrongful death claim. We guide families through this process with compassion and expertise.
First, report the incident to the authorities if it involved an accident scene, such as a car crash or workplace accident. Request copies of police reports and accident reports as soon as they become available. Obtain all medical records and documents related to your loved one’s final treatment and cause of death. Contact our law firm promptly for a free consultation. Oklahoma’s statute of limitations gives you only two years from the date of death to file. Avoid speaking with insurance companies or signing any documents without legal support present.
Gathering Evidence and Documentation
Strong evidence separates successful wrongful death lawsuits from weak ones. The investigation must begin quickly before critical evidence disappears or witnesses forget important details. We conduct deep investigations using our network of accident reconstruction specialists and expert witnesses. Proper documentation proves both liability and the full extent of your family’s losses.
Critical evidence includes:
- Police and accident reports: Official documents of how the death occurred
- Medical records: Complete records of treatment, injuries, and the cause of death
- Witness statements: Accounts from people who saw the accident or incident
- Expert testimonies: Analysis from medical specialists and accident reconstructionists
- Financial documents: Pay stubs, tax returns, and records showing lost income and support
- Photos and videos: Visual evidence from accident scenes or surveillance cameras
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Many families unknowingly hurt their wrongful death claims during the early stages. Insurance companies and defendants look for any reason to reduce or deny compensation. Knowing what mistakes to avoid protects your right to full recovery. We help clients avoid these potential problems from the beginning.
Mistakes to avoid include:
- Taking early settlement offers: Initial offers are almost always far too low
- Talking to insurance without help: Adjusters use your statements against you
- Missing filing deadlines: Oklahoma’s two-year statute of limitations is strict and final
- Posting on social media: Your posts can be used as evidence to support claims
- Waiting to hire a lawyer: Delays make evidence collection harder and cases weaker
Understanding Wrongful Death Laws in Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s wrongful death statutes govern how families seek accountability and compensation after fatal accidents. These laws differ greatly from standard personal injury claims in important ways. Understanding legal requirements helps families know what to expect during the process. We explain Oklahoma law in plain language so you fully understand your rights.
Only the personal representative or executor has the legal standing to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the beneficiaries. The surviving spouse receives compensation for loss of consortium and grief. Children can recover from the loss of parental guidance and financial support. Parents of deceased children receive damages for grief and loss of companionship. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar rule. If your loved one is found 51% or more at fault for the accident, the estate cannot recover anything. If they share 50% or less of the fault, compensation gets reduced by that exact percentage.
Dealing With Insurance Companies and Defendants
Insurance companies and large corporations employ teams of lawyers and negotiators. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on wrongful death claims. They use many tactics to avoid full accountability for negligence. Some make quick, low settlement offers. They hope families will accept before knowing the claim’s true value.
Others drag out the process, hoping families give up or settle for less than they deserve. We know these wrongful denial tactics from years of fighting insurance companies and corporate defendants. Our wrongful death attorney handles all communications and speaks on your behalf to protect your interests. We prepare every case for trial to show we’re serious about securing full compensation. This approach often leads to better settlement offers before trial becomes necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file if the deceased was partly at fault?
Yes, unless they were 51% or more at fault. Oklahoma’s comparative fault laws reduce compensation by the deceased’s fault percentage if the deceased’s fault is less than 51%.
Do I need a lawyer?
Yes. Wrongful death claims involve complex laws, evidence gathering, causation proof, and tough talks with insurance companies, requiring experienced legal help.
How long do cases usually take?
Cases typically take several months to over a year, depending on complexity, investigation needs, and whether settlement talks succeed or a trial becomes necessary.
What is the 51% bar rule?
Oklahoma bars all recovery if the deceased is found 51% or more at fault. At 50% or less fault, compensation is reduced by that percentage.
How are wrongful death settlements split?
Distribution follows statutory rules. Medical and burial expenses are paid by whoever incurred them. Loss of consortium goes to spouses. Pecuniary loss is split between the spouse and the children.
Do all wrongful death cases go to trial?
No. Many settle through talks. We prepare every case for trial, which often leads to better settlement offers from defendants and insurance companies.
Contact Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t face this difficult time alone after losing a loved one to negligence in Tulsa or anywhere in Oklahoma. At Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation to review your wrongful death case. Our attorneys will explain your legal rights and options under Oklahoma wrongful death statutes. We charge no upfront fees and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free case evaluation. We respond quickly and treat every family with compassion and respect during their time of grief. Our Tulsa wrongful death lawyer has the experience and resources to handle complex cases from investigation through trial if needed.
