The Legal Process

Confirming the Cause

The first step in any wrongful death case is obtaining the Death Certificate from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This document officially establishes the cause of death (e.g., "Blunt Force Trauma," "Sepsis").

Setting Up the Estate

Before we can sue, we must open an "Estate" in probate court. This allows a Personal Representative to be appointed who has the legal authority to sign contracts and file lawsuits for the family.

The Timeline

• Investigation (Months 1-3): We gather police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
• Filing Suit (Months 3-6): Once we have a solid theory of liability, we file the petition.
• Discovery (Months 6-18): Depositions and exchanging evidence with the defense.