Oklahoma City Wrongful Death Attorneys

Fighting for Families of Wrongful Death Victims

Losing a loved one because of someone else’s negligence is an unfathomable tragedy. In addition to your grief and the emotional devastation, you may also now be facing unexpected financial burdens. You are probably, and understandably, wondering how the responsible parties can be held accountable. 

At JJ Law, we recognize what you are going through and are here to provide compassionate, solutions-driven advocacy during this difficult time. Our personal injury attorneys can listen to your story and walk you through your legal options. With over 30 years of combined legal experience, we understand how to effectively navigate wrongful death cases involving many types of negligence. We take the trust you place in us seriously and are prepared to work diligently to get you and your family the justice you deserve. You owe our firm no legal fees unless we help you recover compensation.

Schedule a free consultation with our Oklahoma City wrongful death lawyers by calling (888) 495-3339 or contacting us online. We can meet with you virtually and answer phones 24/7. Se habla español.

What is Wrongful Death?

In legal terms, a "wrongful death" occurs when a person dies as a result of the legal fault of another individual, company, or entity. Under Oklahoma law, a wrongful death claim is essentially a personal injury lawsuit that the deceased person is no longer able to bring themselves. Had the individual survived the incident, they would have been entitled to file a personal injury claim; because they did not survive, the cause of action passes to their estate and survivors.

Some of the common causes of wrongful death in Oklahoma City include:

• Car accidents
• Dog attacks
• Medical malpractice
• Motorcycle accidents
• Rideshare accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Truck accidents

Oklahoma Wrongful Death Laws

Oklahoma’s wrongful death statutes are found in Title 12, Section 1053 of the Oklahoma Statutes. These laws dictate how a claim must be filed, what damages can be sought, and the timeline for taking action.

The Statute of Limitations

In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the individual’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. While this may seem like a long time, building a robust case requires extensive investigation, the gathering of medical records, and often the consultation of expert witnesses. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation forever.

Proving Liability

To succeed in a wrongful death claim, we must demonstrate:

• Duty of Care: The defendant owed the deceased a duty to act reasonably (e.g., a driver's duty to follow traffic laws).
• Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet that duty (e.g., driving while intoxicated).
• Causation: The defendant’s breach directly caused the death.
• Damages: The death resulted in quantifiable losses to the estate and the survivors.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is who has the legal standing to bring a claim. In Oklahoma, the law is very specific: the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate must be the one to file the lawsuit.

If the deceased person had a will (testate), they likely named an executor who serves as the personal representative. If the person died without a will (intestate), the court will appoint an administrator to serve in this role—usually a surviving spouse, an adult child, or another close relative.

While the personal representative files the suit, the recovery is intended for the benefit of the surviving "statutory beneficiaries," which typically include:

• The surviving spouse
• Children (biological and adopted)
• Parents of the deceased
• The estate (to cover funeral and medical costs)