Insurance companies handling a wrongful death claim in Oklahoma often move quickly to minimize what they pay — offering fast, low settlements before a family fully understands the value of their claim, and looking for any opportunity to shift blame onto the deceased. Understanding these tactics can help families avoid common pitfalls during an already difficult time.
Why Insurance Companies Act Quickly After a Death
Insurers know that grieving families are often overwhelmed with funeral arrangements, financial pressure, and emotional stress — and that this is exactly when people are most likely to accept a quick settlement without fully understanding what their claim is actually worth. Adjusters may reach out within days of the death, sometimes appearing sympathetic and helpful while working to resolve the claim as cheaply and quickly as possible for their company.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use
Families should be aware of several tactics that commonly appear in wrongful death claims:
- Early lowball offers — presented as generous, but typically far below the claim's actual value once all damages are properly calculated.
- Requesting recorded statements — designed to capture words that can later be used to minimize the claim or shift blame.
- Disputing the cause of death — arguing that pre-existing health conditions, not the accident, were the true cause.
- Blaming the deceased — attempting to establish comparative fault to reduce or eliminate the payout under Oklahoma's comparative negligence rules.
- Delaying the process — dragging out communication and document requests, hoping the family will accept less just to move forward.
- Disputing dependency — questioning whether surviving family members were truly financially dependent on the deceased, especially in cases involving adult children or extended family.
Why Recorded Statements Are Risky
Insurance adjusters often request a recorded statement early in the process, framing it as a routine part of investigating the claim. In reality, these statements can be used later to find inconsistencies, minimize the family's loss, or suggest shared fault — even from something said innocently while grieving. Families are not obligated to provide a recorded statement, and it's generally advisable to speak with an attorney before doing so.
How Insurers Attempt to Undervalue Non-Economic Damages
While medical bills and funeral costs are relatively easy to calculate, insurance companies often push back hardest on non-economic damages — grief, loss of companionship, and emotional suffering — precisely because these losses are harder to quantify. Without strong documentation and legal advocacy, these categories are the ones most likely to be undervalued in a settlement offer.
The Danger of Settling Too Early
Once a wrongful death claim is settled, it typically cannot be reopened later — even if the family later discovers additional damages, a longer-term financial impact, or evidence that the case was worth significantly more. This is one of the most important reasons families should have a full understanding of their claim's value before accepting any offer.
How an Attorney Changes the Dynamic
Once an attorney is involved, insurance companies typically shift their approach — communication moves through legal counsel rather than directly with the grieving family, and adjusters know the case is far less likely to be resolved with a lowball offer. An experienced wrongful death attorney will:
- Handle all communication with the insurance company on your behalf
- Independently calculate the true value of the claim, including often-overlooked damages
- Push back against attempts to shift blame or dispute dependency
- Prepare the case for trial if a fair settlement can't be reached
What to Do If an Adjuster Contacts You
If an insurance adjuster reaches out after your family has lost a loved one, it's reasonable to politely decline to discuss details or provide a recorded statement until you've spoken with an attorney. You are not required to negotiate directly, and doing so before understanding your claim's full value rarely works in your family's favor.
Pasquali Law Firm Stands Between Your Family and the Insurance Company
You shouldn't have to negotiate with an insurance adjuster while grieving the loss of a loved one. Pasquali Law Firm handles that burden for you — communicating with insurers, calculating the true value of your claim, and fighting for full and fair compensation. Call us today at (405) 605-8380 for a free, confidential consultation.
