Find Closure With The Help Of A Dedicated Wrongful Death Attorney

The loss of a loved one is painful beyond words, especially when the cause was someone else’s negligence. During such an emotional time, it can be hard to know where to turn. At Burrage Law Firm, PLLC, our wrongful death attorneys are here to help you seek justice, accountability and the financial support your family needs.

When a serious car accident, workplace injury or act of negligence leads to a fatality, you shouldn’t have to fight alone. Insurance companies often fall short in truly valuing what has been lost. Our team stands by your side to pursue every available option and secure fair compensation on your behalf.

Allowing You To Focus On The Grieving Process

The last thing you and your family need to be worried about is the financial costs of your loss. That is why we help you secure compensation for funeral costs, lost income and benefits, and more. Our goal is to take care of all the details and ensure the financial costs are covered so you can focus on grieving your loss.

What Types Of Compensation Are Available In Wrongful Death Matters?

Families affected by wrongful death may be eligible for several types of compensation, including:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of the deceased’s expected income
• Loss of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions
• Emotional suffering experienced by surviving family members
• Loss of companionship, guidance and emotional support
• Medical expenses related to the deceased’s final care

Our goal as your wrongful death attorney is to protect your rights and ease your financial burden so you can focus on healing.

When Must A Wrongful Death Lawsuit Be Filed In Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years from the date of your loved one’s death. Missing this deadline can result in losing the right to compensation. That’s why it’s important to contact a qualified wrongful death attorney as early as possible to preserve evidence and protect your claim.

How Does Oklahoma’s Negligence Law Affect A Wrongful Death Case?

Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence system. This means if your loved one was found to be partially at fault, it may reduce the amount of compensation awarded. If they were more than 50% responsible, the family may not be able to recover damages. An experienced wrongful death attorney will investigate all details, work to prove fault and advocate for the maximum recovery.

Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim In Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, only the court-appointed personal representative of the estate holds the official authority to file a lawsuit. While many family members experience profound loss, the court-appointed individual is the only one who can act on behalf of the estate and all eligible survivors.

The appointment process begins in probate court, where a judge thoroughly reviews the deceased person’s legal documents. If the deceased left a valid will naming a personal representative, the judge almost always respects that specific choice and formally confirms the individual for the role.

When someone dies without leaving a valid will, state law dictates a strict priority order for selecting the personal representative to manage the estate. The surviving spouse holds the initial right to request the appointment. They are followed by adult children, surviving parents and then other close relatives.

After the appointment, the personal representative can retain an attorney and gather essential evidence. These are steps they can take before initiating a wrongful death lawsuit in court.

Who Can Receive Wrongful Death Benefits?

Oklahoma law establishes a structured framework that determines which surviving family members qualify to recover compensation. Beneficiaries can include:

• Spouse and children: Surviving spouses and children can recover financial compensation for their financial losses, loss of companionship and emotional suffering.
• Parents: Surviving parents are the main beneficiaries if the deceased left no surviving spouse or adult or minor children behind.
• Next of kin: Siblings and other extended family members may receive financial compensation only if the deceased left no surviving spouse, children or parents.

Courts do not divide the total money equally among all family members. Instead, judges distribute compensation based on the actual losses each qualified relative proves during the process. The personal representative receives the final settlement or jury verdict funds and allocates them directly to the eligible relatives.

Call Our Durant Office Today. We Offer Free Consultations.

Wrongful death cases always start with a free consultation, where we discuss your case and help you explore your legal options. A lawyer from our firm, Burrage Law Firm, PLLC, can pursue any case in Oklahoma and has a proven record of getting results for our clients. With so much on the line, we dedicate our experience to your case.

Call 580-380-4005 today to set up your free initial consultation, or reach out online to get started.