Tulsa Wrongful Death Lawyer
Dedicated Tulsa Litigators Helping Families Recover for Wrongful Death Throughout Northeastern Oklahoma
The sudden loss of a family member to an accident is a devastating experience. When the death could have been avoided had someone else not acted negligently or recklessly, it can feel like insult has been added to an already traumatic injury. While nothing can make up for the loss your family has suffered, making sure that the parties responsible are held to task night at least mitigate some of the sting. If your family member was killed by a negligent or reckless person or company, you might be able to bring a wrongful death claim.
The passionate and trial-ready Tulsa wrongful death lawyers at Levinson Law, P.C., have decades of experience recovering millions of dollars in damages for personal injury clients in Greenwood and across Tulsa and Northeastern Oklahoma. We care about the people in our community, and we will fight to ensure that they get the justice and the compensation that they deserve. Let us shoulder the legal burden so that you can focus on being with your family and getting your lives back on track.
What is a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death is a legal claim brought by certain survivors of a deceased party to recover compensation against the party or parties that were responsible for the fatality. Wrongful death claims arise when a person’s death is caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, or by an intentional act. Wrongful death is a civil claim for damages, meant to compensate the survivors of an accident victim rather than punish the defendant for causing the death.
Under Oklahoma law, a wrongful death claim may be brought whenever a person would have been able to bring a personal injury claim had they survived. Common incidents giving rise to wrongful death claims include the following:
- Traffic accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home negligence or abuse
- Workplace accidents, such as oilfield injuries
- Premises liability incidents, such as slip and falls
Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
Every state includes specific limitations on who may bring a wrongful death claim and on the types of damages that wrongful death claimants may seek. In Oklahoma, the following parties can bring wrongful death claims after a fatal accident:
- Spouse or domestic partner of the decedent
- Children of the decedent
- Parents of the decedent
- Siblings of the decedent
- A “personal representative” of the decedent’s estate
What Damages Are Available in a Wrongful Death Case?
Wrongful death cases usually involve one or both of two types of damages: (1) damages that the victim would have sought on their own behalf, had they survived the incident, and (2) damages sought by the surviving family members based on their own loss suffered. Oklahoma allows both types of damages in wrongful death suits.
A plaintiff can seek damages on behalf of the deceased person, including medical costs, pain and suffering endured between the injury and death, as well as lost wages and benefits they would have earned had they survived. Surviving family members can also seek damages on their own behalf, including emotional trauma and grief, loss of companionship, and reasonable funeral and burial expenses.
Depending on the cause of death, survivors may also be able to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are aimed at punishing the defendant, rather than compensating the victims, and are reserved for cases in which the defendant’s behavior was especially reckless. Speak with a knowledgeable Tulsa wrongful death lawyer at Levinson Law, P.C., about your case to learn what damages you and your family may be able to recover in a wrongful death case.
Compassionate Advice and Representation Regarding Your Tulsa Wrongful Death Claim
If your loved one has been killed as a result of someone else’s negligence in Tulsa or throughout Northeastern Oklahoma, call Levinson Law, P.C., today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation. We understand the pain and loss you are suffering. We are ready to help you and your family recover after someone’s negligence or recklessness has caused severe harm to you and your family. We are here to help you fight for the recovery you are owed, whatever it takes. Hablamos español.
