You could always try to talk with the landlord/leasing office about your new situation too. They want you to keep paying, they don't want to kick you on the streets and pay to renovate the place and find a new tenant, or potentially have a legal battle against you if you hole up in the place. It's far easier to work out a deal that'll work for you due to this sudden emergency, than find new tenants (at least that's the assumption. They could be assholes that defy all those assumptions I laid out but you won't know till you engage them).

I'm not sure if a pursuing <$2000 with a lawyer may be worth it, but I'm not well versed in the costs of legal battles, not to mention you don't really have much spare cash to afford it upfront due to your situation.

Tell your landlord if the situation and just go. He might try to come after you, he might not. Your wife is legally responsible for half. But seriously, just leave.