Losing a loved one is devastating beyond words. However, enduring that pain with the knowledge it happened due to another person’s negligence is indescribably difficult and highly traumatic for friends and family of the deceased. You may feel consumed by anger and despair or entirely unable to consider your next course of action, and that’s completely understandable.
However, you may find something to focus on through the grieving process by contacting a lawyer to stand by your side in the pursuit of justice for your dearly departed. Nobody should pay for another’s negligent actions with their life, and in pursuing your case in the courts, you may find some shred of comfort in knowing the culprit is to be held accountable for their actions. If this sounds like something you’d wish to read into, scroll on for more information on how the process works and what an Oklahoma City wrongful death lawyer can do for you. Our team of personal injury attorneys is committed to seeking justice for those who unexpectedly lost a loved one.
Regardless of the situation—whether the incident involves a vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, medical device, defective drug, dog attack, driving under the influence, slip-and-fall, or work injury—as soon as you become aware your loved one’s death resulted from another person’s negligent or malicious actions, contact an Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney to begin filing a claim. Your lawyer will gather evidence to determine if this is true, seeking to establish the duty of care owed to the victim was broken and the other party’s negligent actions were a direct cause of the resulting death. Unfortunately, the demonstration of negligence alone is rarely enough to build a solid wrongful death case, so the more evidence you can demonstrate, the better your chances.
You will need to demonstrate that you have experienced a loss due to your loved one’s death, as cold as that may sound. These losses can be factors such as funeral expenses or medical bills accrued before the end or any financial liability you may suffer if you relied on your loved one’s income for support with your day-to-day living. Your emotional turmoil is also considered, of course, and a successful claim may mitigate some of the financial burdens you may be managing. Though financial recompense can’t replace what’s been lost, it can help relieve some of the mounting pressures that come with a bereavement, allowing you to grieve.
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations on wrongful death cases is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of said date to file the necessary paperwork to make a claim. It’s essential, therefore, that you seek a lawyer’s advice as soon as possible. Oklahoma’s law allows for a wrongful death claim to be made if a child, spouse, or parent is fatally injured by another’s actions, such as in a medical malpractice case. If the deceased has no living relatives to file a claim, their next of kin may also do so. However, given that the next of kin can be nebulous and poorly documented, it can take time to establish who is and isn’t able to file.
A wrongful death case can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to resolve, depending on the case’s complexity. You should bear this in mind when considering your filing, as it can’t be understated how emotionally taxing this process is likely to be, given the circumstances. A compassionate wrongful death lawyer in Oklahoma City will try to ease this burden by thoroughly explaining the proceedings and consulting you with any decisions that need to be made.
You’ll have several options to think about as the case nears its end. You may wish to see it resolved in court, or you could instead opt for a structured settlement repayment covering some of your financial and emotional losses resulting from your loved one’s death. This decision will be entirely yours to make, though your lawyer will be available to offer advice if you desire it.
The right attorney can make a massive difference in a case as emotionally charged as a wrongful death filing. Your lawyer will be there to offer guidance and support throughout proceedings and will gather and process evidence to establish negligence and work towards the outcome you deserve.
If you’re ready to pursue a wrongful death claim on the part of the deceased, contact an Oklahoma City wrongful death lawyer from AMA Law. You can reach us via the consultation form on the right of the page, or you can speak to a member of our team to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to offer the guidance and support you need and are happy to represent viable cases and help the bereaved get the justice their loved ones deserve.