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Oklahoma Paralysis Injury Lawyer

Table of Contents

A paralysis injury changes a person’s life in every way. Victims often face severe injuries, long recovery times, and high medical bills. These injuries can affect the spinal cord, brain, and nervous system, causing loss of muscle control and sensory function. Many accident victims also experience chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional suffering that lasts for years.

Smith Barkett Law Group helps injury victims and their families seek compensation for their losses. Our legal team understands that paralysis and spinal cord injuries occur from many serious accidents, and we work hard to recover maximum compensation.

If you or someone you love has suffered a paralyzing injury, our Oklahoma City paralysis injury lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you rebuild your life.

What Is a Paralysis Injury?

A paralysis injury happens when the brain or spinal cord is damaged, affecting how the body moves and feels. It can cause complete paralysis, in which all muscle control and sensation below the injury are lost, or incomplete paralysis, in which some function remains.

Spinal cord injuries can occur after a car accident, fall, or medical error. A serious spinal cord injury may also result from spinal cord infections or damage to the spinal column and lumbar vertebrae. When a spinal cord is completely severed, the victim’s life changes forever, leading to long-term medical treatment and physical therapy.

Living with Paralysis After a Serious Accident

Living with paralysis brings many daily challenges. Victims need ongoing medical care, specialized equipment, and support from medical professionals. The financial burdens can be overwhelming for personal injury victims and their families.

Common Causes of Paralysis in Oklahoma City

  • Car Accidents: The most common causes of spinal cord damage and broken bones are car accidents.
  • Falls: Slip, trip, and fall incidents can injure the spinal column or brain.
  • Workplace Accidents: Construction or industrial incidents often lead to catastrophic injuries.
  • Medical Malpractice: Surgical errors or poor medical treatments may harm the spinal cord.
  • Spinal Cord Infections: Severe infections can damage the spinal cord and nerves.

The Emotional and Financial Cost of Paralysis

A paralyzing injury affects mental health and financial stability. Victims may lose their jobs, face lost wages, and struggle to afford medical expenses. Many also experience anxiety, depression, and significant pain as they adapt to life-altering injuries.

Your Legal Rights After a Paralysis Injury in Oklahoma

Under Title 23 of the Oklahoma Statutes (Damages), paralysis injury victims have the right to fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help prove fault, calculate losses, and file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party or responsible party.

Personal injury attorneys can also represent clients in personal injury lawsuits and ensure they get full compensation for medical bills, lost income, and emotional suffering.

Oklahoma’s Comparative Negligence Law

Under 23 O.S. § 13, Oklahoma follows comparative negligence rules. This means you can still recover money even if you share some blame for the accident. However, your compensation award will be reduced by your share of fault.

Time Limits to File a Claim

According to 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3), you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim in Oklahoma. Missing this deadline can prevent you from seeking compensation for your spinal cord injury lawsuit or any related medical expenses.

Common Accidents That Lead to Paralysis

Many personal injury cases involve serious injury to the spinal cord. These incidents can cause long-term disability, chronic pain, and life-altering medical costs.

Car and Truck Accidents

Under 47 O.S. § 11-901, negligent drivers can be held liable for paralysis injuries. Car accidents often cause serious spinal cord injury, brain injuries, and broken bones that may lead to complete paralysis. Many accident victims also deal with long-term medical treatments and physical therapy to manage their condition and restore partial muscle control.

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Falls are common injuries that affect older adults and workers. When unsafe property conditions cause a fall, a personal injury attorney can file a personal injury claim for fair compensation. These types of accidents can damage the spinal column or nervous system, leading to partial or complete spinal cord injuries that change a victim’s life.

Workplace and Construction Accidents

Paralysis injuries at work fall under the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Act (85A O.S. § 1 et seq.). These laws cover medical bills and lost wages for employees with catastrophic injuries. Many workers also suffer chronic pain, emotional suffering, and financial burdens after workplace accidents that cause serious spinal cord injuries.

Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors

When medical professionals cause spinal cord damage, the Oklahoma Medical Liability Act (76 O.S. § 5.5) allows victims to pursue a spinal cord injury claim for medical negligence. In some cases, poor surgical technique or failure to treat spinal cord infections can result in life-altering injuries that require lifelong ongoing medical care.

Compensation Available for Paralysis Victims in Oklahoma

Victims of spinal cord injuries may recover compensation through personal injury claims, lawsuits, or workers’ compensation. The amount depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident and the severity of the injury.

Economic Damages

  • Lost wages and future income
  • Medical expenses and ongoing medical care
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
  • Costs of medical treatments and assistive devices
  • Transportation and home modification costs

Non-Economic Damages

Under Title 23 O.S. § 61.2, non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental health distress, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life for spinal cord injury victims.

Loss of Earning Capacity

A serious spinal cord injury or a complete spinal cord injury can limit your ability to work. Compensation helps victims maintain financial stability and cover future income losses.

Punitive Damages for Gross Negligence

Under Title 23 O.S. § 9.1, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party acted with reckless disregard for safety. These are meant to punish and deter wrongful conduct.

Workers’ Compensation and Paralysis Claims

Paralysis injuries at work are handled through the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Commission (OWCC). Workers with severe injuries can recover medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term benefits.

Benefits Available for Catastrophic Injuries

  1. Medical Care: Covers all approved medical treatments and hospital stays.
  2. Temporary Disability Payments: Provides partial income during recovery.
  3. Permanent Disability Benefits: For those who suffer complete paralysis or cannot return to work.
  4. Vocational Rehabilitation: Helps injured workers retrain for new jobs.

How to File and Protect Your Claim

Under Oklahoma Administrative Code § 810:10-5-5, injured employees must report their injury to their employer as soon as possible. A paralysis injury attorney can help ensure proper filing and protect your rights throughout the claims process.

Third-Party Lawsuits for Additional Compensation

If another company or person caused an accident, you may also file a third-party personal injury lawsuit to recover maximum compensation beyond workers’ comp benefits.

Why Choose Our Oklahoma City Paralysis Injury Lawyers

At Smith Barkett Law Group, we have handled many personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries. We understand how a serious spinal cord injury affects every part of a victim’s life.

Local Experience and Courtroom Knowledge

Our personal injury lawyers know Oklahoma City courts and judges. This local experience helps us handle each spinal cord injury claim effectively. We understand how to present evidence clearly and work closely with medical professionals to strengthen every case we handle.

Proven Results in Catastrophic Injury Cases

We have recovered fair compensation for clients with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and other severe injuries. Our goal is always to help every injury victim recover money for their losses. Our proven record in personal injury cases shows our commitment to helping clients rebuild their lives after devastating accidents.

Compassionate, Client-Focused Approach

We treat each client like family. Our legal team listens carefully, offers honest legal representation, and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning no legal fees unless we win. We take the time to understand each person’s story and provide the personal attention every client deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can file for workers’ compensation benefits and may also have a third-party claim if another person caused the accident.

A spinal cord injury attorney helps you file your claim, deal with the insurance company, and fight for fair compensation after a serious accident caused by someone else’s carelessness.

An incomplete spinal cord injury means you still have some muscle control or feeling below the injury. Recovery is possible with proper medical treatment and physical therapy.

You should contact a paralysis injury attorney in Oklahoma as soon as possible after the accident caused your injury. Early help makes it easier to protect your rights and recover money.

Yes. We offer a free initial consultation and a no-obligation consultation to review your case and explain your options.

Contact Our Oklahoma City Paralysis Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved has suffered a serious spinal cord injury, we are here to help. At Smith Barkett Law Group, our spinal cord injury lawyers understand the challenges of life-altering injuries and the financial burdens that follow. We fight for accident victims to recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional suffering.

Our experienced paralysis injury attorney in Oklahoma can handle all personal injury claims, deal with the insurance company, and help you secure fair compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. There is no risk and no obligation -- just caring legal help when you need it most.


Local Resources

Author: Rusty Smith
Founding Attorney
Smith Barkett Personal Injury Lawyers
Published date: Nov 22, 2025

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