PERSONAL INJURY · WRONGFUL DEATH
Oklahoma Wrongful Death Trial Lawyers
Losing someone to another’s negligence is a burden no family should carry alone. Over 75 years of combined litigation experience holding wrongdoers accountable across McAlester and Eastern Oklahoma.
75+ yrs
Combined litigation experience
$50M+
Recovered for clients since 2005
Largest
Verdicts in Pittsburg County history
State + Fed
Trial experience
OUR RESULTS
Wrongful-death results on our record.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
THE RECORD
VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS
$7.5M
Defective-tire wrongful death
$5.0M
Propane explosion
$2.5M
Trucking wrongful death
$2.0M
Trucking wrongful death
WHAT THESE CASES INVOLVE
What an Oklahoma wrongful death case involves.
A wrongful death claim is how Oklahoma law lets a family hold a negligent party responsible when someone is killed. It is separate from any criminal case, and it belongs to the family, not the state.
01
Who can bring the claim.
Under Oklahoma law, a wrongful death action is generally brought by the personal representative of the estate, for the benefit of the surviving spouse, children, and next of kin.
02
What can be recovered.
Damages can include medical and funeral costs, the financial support the person would have provided, and the grief and loss of companionship the family suffers. Proving all of it takes work.
03
The deadline is strict.
Oklahoma generally allows two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Waiting can forfeit the claim. This is general information, not advice about your deadline.
04
Evidence must be preserved.
Vehicles, equipment, scene conditions, and records can disappear. Acting early lets us document and preserve what a jury will need to see.
05
Accountability, calmly pursued.
We handle these cases with the seriousness they deserve and without theatrics. The goal is a full, fair recovery and real answers for the family.
06
No fee unless we recover.
We take wrongful death cases on a contingency fee. There is nothing to pay up front, and no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Tried, not just settled.
Insurance companies keep track of which firms will actually take a case to a jury. Gotcher & Beaver are trial lawyers with state and federal courtroom experience and a record of large verdicts in Pittsburg County. That willingness to try a case is often what makes an insurer pay what a case is truly worth.
RELATED PRACTICE AREAS
Truck Accidents
Medical Malpractice
Defective Products
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions, answered.
In general, the claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate, on behalf of the surviving spouse, children, parents, and next of kin. If no representative has been appointed, we can help the family with that step.
Oklahoma generally gives two years from the date of death, though certain circumstances can affect that. Because evidence fades quickly, it is best not to wait. This is general information, not advice about your specific deadline.
Depending on the facts, recovery can include funeral and medical expenses, lost financial support and services, and the family’s grief, loss of companionship, and mental anguish. No amount undoes the loss; the goal is full and fair accountability.
No. A criminal case is brought by the state. A wrongful death case is a civil claim brought by the family for compensation and accountability. They can proceed separately.
We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee, so there is no fee up front and no attorney fee unless we recover for you. The initial evaluation is free.