Wrongful Death in Oklahoma City

When a Preventable Death Rips Through a Family, Justice Is the First Step Toward Healing

There is no greater loss than the sudden, preventable death of someone you love—especially when it could have been avoided through competent medical care. It leaves behind grief, disbelief, and a gnawing question that no hospital discharge summary will ever answer: How could this happen?

At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we represent families in Oklahoma City who have lost a loved one due to medical negligence. These aren’t just cases. They are deeply personal stories of loss, betrayal, and the urgent need for answers. We carry those stories into courtrooms—and we fight for them.

What Is a Medical Wrongful Death Case?

Not every death is malpractice. But when a physician, nurse, hospital, or healthcare system fails to meet the standard of care—and that failure directly leads to death—they must be held accountable.

A wrongful death case arises when negligence causes a death that could have been prevented. In the medical setting, this might look like:

• A delayed diagnosis of stroke or infection

• A surgical error that causes fatal internal bleeding

• An anesthesia mistake that leads to coma or brain death

• Maternal death during childbirth due to lack of monitoring

• A misread lab result that allows a condition to spiral out of control

These moments are often written off as “complications” or “risks”—but they deserve far closer scrutiny. We investigate what others won’t.

The Toll on Families

The loss is unbearable. But it’s not just emotional.

Families left behind face:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support (especially when the deceased was the family’s primary earner)
• Medical bills accrued before death
• Emotional trauma and psychological harm
• The long, painful reality of life without a parent, child, spouse, or sibling

And because hospitals and corporations are more interested in protecting themselves than grieving families, the truth is often buried under jargon, deflection, or silence.

We’re here to change that.

Why Wrongful Death Cases Matter—Even When Nothing Can Bring Them Back

No legal case can ever make a family whole again. We understand that. What we can do is uncover what happened, hold the right people accountable, and help families rebuild their lives with some measure of justice and closure.

Wrongful death lawsuits:

• Expose dangerous practices in hospitals and clinics
• Prevent similar tragedies from happening to others
• Provide financial security for surviving spouses and children
• Create public pressure that forces healthcare systems to improve
• Offer validation and recognition of the loved one’s suffering

We believe that how someone died matters. And that no one should be allowed to look away when a preventable death occurs under their watch.

Why These Cases Are So Difficult to Win—And Why We’re Built for It

In Oklahoma, like many states, the laws around medical malpractice and wrongful death heavily favor the medical industry. There are caps on non-economic damages. Strict filing timelines. Biased review boards. Hospitals with armies of lawyers.

That’s why most law firms don’t even take these cases.

But we do.

Van Wey, Metzler & Williams was founded to take on the hardest, most catastrophic medical malpractice cases—and to give families a voice when the system tries to silence them. We have:

• A decades-long track record of wrongful death success stories
• The financial strength to invest in top medical experts and litigation
• Nationally recognized legal minds who have gone up against major hospital systems
• A passionate, tenacious team that treats every case as if it were their own family

We don’t stop until we know everything. And when we know everything, we hold people accountable for what they chose not to do.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case in Oklahoma?

Under Oklahoma law, a wrongful death claim can typically be filed by the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. Compensation can be awarded for:

• Medical and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship and support
• Mental pain and anguish of survivors
• Lost income and benefits

If you’re not sure who qualifies, we’ll guide you through it. We’ll handle the legal logistics while you focus on grieving and healing.

Why Families Trust Van Wey, Metzler & Williams

Because we listen. We care. And we don’t flinch.

We are not a volume-based firm chasing settlements. We take on a select number of wrongful death and serious injury cases because we believe the most serious harm deserves the most serious representation.

Clients choose us because:

• We tell the truth—even when it’s complicated
• We challenge powerful hospitals and insurers without hesitation
• We work with the best experts in the country
• We never treat your loss like a number

Founder Kay Van Wey has been at the forefront of patient safety reform for over 30 years. Her relentless advocacy helped hold Dr. Christopher Duntsch ("Dr. Death") accountable, and she continues to lead our team with compassion, precision, and conviction.

If You’re Asking Questions, That Means You Deserve Answers

If your loved one died after a medical procedure, hospital stay, or emergency visit—and something doesn’t sit right—trust your instincts. The hospital may tell you it’s just “one of those things.” But in our experience, that’s not always the truth.

Let us find out.

Your consultation is confidential, compassionate, and free of charge. You don’t pay us unless we win.