At Smith Barkett Law Group, our Tulsa spinal cord injury lawyers know these catastrophic injuries change lives forever. A spinal cord injury can take away your ability to walk, work, and live independently. Each year, about 17,000 Americans suffer spinal cord injuries. The lifetime medical costs for a young adult with quadriplegia can exceed $5 million. We help injury victims in Tulsa get the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
We dedicate ourselves to helping spinal cord injury victims seek justice and fair compensation. Our personal injury lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial burden these catastrophic injuries place on families. Insurance companies often try to minimize your claim or deny your benefits. We fight back to get you maximum compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You focus on recovery while we handle your personal injury lawsuit.
A spinal cord injury happens when damage to the spinal cord stops signals between your brain and body. Your spinal cord controls movement, sensation, and organ function throughout your body. Damage to this vital structure causes partial or complete loss of function below the injury site. The severity depends on where the injury occurs and the extent of the damage. Even incomplete injuries can seriously limit your mobility and daily activities.
Spinal cord injuries fall into several categories based on the extent of damage and resulting paralysis.
| Injury Type | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Complete SCI | Total loss of sensation and movement below the injury | No voluntary movement or feeling below injury site |
| Incomplete SCI | Partial preservation of sensation or movement | Some function remains with potential for recovery |
| Quadriplegia | Paralysis affecting all four limbs and trunk | Cervical spine injury requiring extensive adaptive equipment |
| Paraplegia | Paralysis affecting legs and lower body | Thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine injury |
Medical experts use the American Spinal Injury Association scale to classify spinal injuries:
Spinal cord injuries result from traumatic events that damage the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks. Motor vehicle accidents cause nearly 40% of all new spinal cord injuries each year. Falls rank as the second leading cause, especially among older adults and construction workers. Violence and recreational accidents make up most of the remaining cases. Understanding how these injuries occur helps us identify liable parties and build strong cases.
Motor vehicle accidents remain the top cause of spinal cord injuries in Tulsa and across Oklahoma. High-speed traffic crashes create tremendous force that can fracture vertebrae or dislocate the spine. Car wrecks involving head-on collisions often damage the cervical spine and cause quadriplegia. Trucking accidents generate even greater impact forces due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. Even with seat belts and airbags, people can suffer devastating spinal cord damage in serious car accidents.
Construction accidents often result in spinal cord injuries when workers fall from heights or are struck by objects. Slip-and-fall accidents on job sites can cause workers to land on their backs or necks. Defective products, including faulty safety equipment, can fail to protect workers from catastrophic injuries. Property owners who fail to address dangerous conditions may face premises liability claims. These workplace accidents often involve both workers' compensation claims and personal injury lawsuits.
Recognizing spinal cord injury symptoms quickly can make a critical difference in your outcome. Symptoms vary depending on where the spinal injury occurs and how severe it is. Some signs appear right after the accident, while others develop over hours or days. Emergency medical care focuses on keeping the spine stable to prevent further damage. Quick diagnosis through imaging and exams helps doctors plan treatment and predict recovery.
Watch for these warning signs after any accident involving the back or neck:
Medical experts use several tests to check spinal cord injuries and plan treatment:
Spinal cord injuries create permanent changes that affect every part of your life. Beyond paralysis and limited mobility, victims face ongoing medical problems requiring constant attention. The level of your injury determines which body functions you keep and which you lose. Most spinal injury victims need lifelong medical care, rehabilitative therapy, and help with daily activities. The mental impact can be just as hard as the physical limits.
Spinal cord damage creates many challenges that impact your independence and quality of life. Paralysis prevents you from walking, standing, or moving affected limbs without help. Chronic pain becomes constant for many spinal injury victims. Limited mobility requires wheelchair accessible homes and adaptive equipment for basic tasks. Temperature regulation issues make it hard to stay comfortable. Bladder and bowel dysfunction requires careful management to prevent infections.
The emotional trauma of losing independence and physical function takes a heavy toll:
Early treatment focuses on preventing more spinal cord damage and managing problems. Emergency surgery may be needed to remove bone fragments, repair broken vertebrae, or relieve pressure on the spine. Once stable, victims begin months or years of hard rehabilitation to regain as much function as possible. The recovery process requires a team of medical experts, including surgeons, physical therapists, and lifestyle coaches. Long-term medical treatment addresses ongoing problems and helps victims adapt.
Medical care for spinal cord injuries often includes multiple surgeries and therapies. Emergency surgery stabilizes the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine to prevent further damage. Doctors may insert metal rods, plates, or screws to stabilize vertebrae. Physical therapy begins soon to prevent muscle loss and maintain the range of motion. Occupational therapy teaches victims new ways to perform daily tasks despite limited mobility. Rehabilitative therapy continues for years as victims work to maximize their remaining function.
Life after a spinal cord injury requires extensive adaptive equipment and home changes. Wheelchairs range from basic manual models to high-tech power chairs controlled by head movements. Wheelchair accessible modifications include ramps, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms. Adaptive equipment helps with eating, dressing, and personal care tasks. Life care planners check future needs and arrange services for spinal injury victims. Many people also benefit from lifestyle coaches who help them adjust.
The financial burden of a spinal cord injury can be huge and never-ending. Hospital bills from emergency surgery and early treatment often exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical costs continue throughout your lifetime, including medications, doctor visits, and rehabilitation. Lost wages from the inability to work add to the financial stress on families. Medical debt piles up quickly when insurance companies refuse to cover all needed treatments. These economic damages represent only part of the total harm suffered.
The 2025 estimated first-year medical costs for a young adult with quadriplegia exceed $1.1 million. In later years, costs still average over $200,000 each for ongoing medical care and adaptive equipment. Paraplegia costs are lower but still devastating, with first-year expenses around $550,000. These figures do not include lost income, home changes, or vehicle adaptations. Many families face bankruptcy or lose their homes trying to cover rehabilitation costs and hospital bills.
The mental burden of spinal cord injuries affects both victims and their families. Victims struggle with loss of independence and dramatic changes to their life plans. Family members may become caregivers, which can strain relationships and lead to burnout. Depression and anxiety are common as victims adjust to permanent disabilities. Support groups and counseling help address the emotional trauma of catastrophic injuries. Mental health treatment should be part of any full care plan.
Oklahoma law allows spinal cord injury victims to recover substantial damages from negligent parties. Compensation aims to cover all your losses, both financial and personal. A spinal cord injury attorney must document every way the injury impacts your life. Insurance companies often offer quick settlements that fall far short of your actual needs. We fight to ensure you receive fair compensation that accounts for decades of future medical care and lost wages.
Your spinal injury claim may include several types of compensation:
The severity of your spinal cord damage directly affects your potential settlement or jury award. Cervical spine injuries causing quadriplegia result in the highest compensation due to extensive care needs. Thoracic spine injuries leading to paraplegia also warrant substantial damages for lifetime medical treatment. Even lumbar spine or sacral spine injuries with partial paralysis can require millions in compensation. Life care planners project your future needs, while medical experts testify about ongoing problems like cardiovascular risks and migraines. Accident reconstructionists help prove the negligent party's fault.
We bring extensive experience handling complex spinal injury claims throughout Tulsa and Oklahoma. Our personal injury attorney works with leading medical experts to document the full extent of your spinal cord damage. We coordinate with life care planners to calculate your lifetime medical costs and rehabilitation needs. From investigating the accident through settlement negotiations or trial, we manage every detail. Our goal is to secure compensation that covers your medical treatment, lost wages, adaptive equipment, and pain and suffering for decades to come.
Building a strong spinal cord injury case requires thorough investigation and solid evidence. We gather police reports, witness statements, and medical records from the accident scene and hospital. Accident reconstructionists analyze car wrecks or construction accidents to determine fault and prove negligence. We investigate whether faulty safety equipment, defective products, or premises liability contributed to your injury. Medical experts testify about your spinal damage and resulting problems. This evidence helps overcome insurance defense tactics aimed at minimizing your compensation.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury claim?
Under Oklahoma statute §12-95, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Motor vehicle accidents, falls, workplace accidents, recreational accidents, and violence cause most spinal cord injuries requiring legal action.
Can I recover compensation if my injury was due to an accident at work?
Yes, you may pursue workers' compensation benefits and potentially file a separate lawsuit against negligent third parties or manufacturers of defective products.
What compensation can I receive for a spinal cord injury?
You may recover economic damages, non-economic damages, and potentially punitive damages covering medical costs, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.
How do I know if my spinal cord injury is severe enough for a claim?
Any spinal injury causing paralysis, chronic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, or limited mobility likely warrants legal consultation.
What is the role of a spinal cord injury lawyer in my case?
We investigate liability, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for maximum compensation through settlement or jury awards.
Do not wait to protect your rights after suffering a spinal cord injury in an accident. Time is critical for preserving evidence and meeting the statute of limitations under Oklahoma law. We offer free consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Our practice area includes handling catastrophic injuries like quadriplegia and paraplegia throughout Tulsa. Call us today to discuss how we can help you secure the compensation you need. Let our experienced personal injury lawyers fight for your future while you focus on rehabilitation.
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