Ease You and Your Loved Ones’ Suffering with a Wrongful Death Lawyer

The death of a loved one takes incredible emotional toll on the people they leave behind. Not only that, but their death can also cause enormous financial difficulties, especially when the deceased individual was one of the breadwinners of the family.

The laws in each state provide a way to ease this burden, especially when an entity or another person is legally responsible for the death. This is called a wrongful death lawsuit, and if you’re interested in filing one, it’s imperative to consult an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney as soon as you can.

Defining a Wrongful Death Case

This the term for a civil action brought on by the estate—or survivors—of an individual who died due to the neglectful act of another. The set of rules governing wrongful death cases are unique to Oklahoma because the laws vary in each state, and this includes who can file this type of lawsuit in the civil court system.

Commonly, a personal representative or a family member of the deceased is eligible to file for the suit.  Make sure to hire a local lawyer that knows that ins and outs of Oklahoma law, since rules can also vary with each state about when you should file this case, and the types of damages you can receive should the suit prove successful.

Damages You Can Claim for Wrongful Death Cases

First, you can claim damages incurred by the deceased starting from the moment of the cause of death until the time of death. In a car accident, for instance, it would cover the moment of the crash until the time of death. Damages in this situation can include pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, and burial expenses.

Second, damages can cover the losses incurred by the next of kin of the deceased after the death of their loved one. This mainly covers financial losses, which can range from lost wages the deceased would have received until retirement had they not met their untimely death.

Oklahoma also allows next of kin to claim damages for loss of consortium. These are damages incurred when loved ones lose the companionship and love of the deceased. This is particularly important if the deceased left behind minor children who are deprived the care and guidance of their deceased parent.

Consult a Wrongful Death Lawyer

Nothing can replace the presence of a deceased loved one, but at the very least, you can be compensated properly after their wrongful death. If you think you have this type of case on your hands, consult a wrongful death lawyer in Oklahoma immediately so you can know the first steps and receive legal advice.

For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.

Sources:
What Damages are Available in a Wrongful Death Case?, Nolo
Wrongful Death Claims: An Overview, Nolo