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Oklahoma City Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
Helping you recover compensation for back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis
Spinal cord injuries are generally considered catastrophic injuries because they can permanently affect movement, sensation, independence, and the ability to work. In severe cases, they can lead to paralysis, lifelong medical care, and major financial losses for both the injured person and their family.
These injuries are caused by a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses your vertebrae or that severs your spinal cord. If you sustained a spinal cord or back injury in an accident caused by the negligence, recklessness, or wrongful acts of another party, you need the help of knowledgeable Oklahoma City spinal cord injury attorneys.
At Cunningham & Mears, we have 105 years of combined legal experience helping clients who sustained all types of spine and back injuries recover compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation and treatment, lost wages and earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Key takeaways
- These injuries often lead to paralysis, permanent disability, or serious loss of mobility and sensation. The long-term impacts can affect every part of your life, from your health and independence to your finances and ability to work.
- Motor vehicle crashes, falls, and workplace accidents are leading causes.
- If another party’s negligence contributed to your injury, Oklahoma law lets you pursue them for compensation.
- Seeking immediate medical care can improve your prognosis and create a record for your injury claim.
- Expenses include emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing therapies, home modifications, mobility devices, and sometimes 24/7 care.
- Lost wages and future income can add up to millions of dollars over a lifetime.
- Depending on the specifics, anyone from negligent drivers to property owners, product manufacturers, or third parties might be responsible. When an injury occurs at work, claims against an employer are often limited under Oklahoma workers’ compensation law unless an exception applies.
- Cunningham & Mears offers free consultations and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your case.
Table of contents
- What is a spinal cord injury claim in Oklahoma?
- What causes spinal cord injuries?
- How long do you have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?
- What are the long-term effects of spinal cord injuries?
- What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?
- What should you do after a spinal cord injury accident?
- The importance of seeking immediate medical attention after a spinal cord injury
- Complications from a spinal cord injury
- Understanding the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury
- What kind of compensation can I recover after a spinal cord injury?
- How much is a spinal cord injury case worth?
- Who can be held liable for a spinal cord injury accident?
- Frequently asked questions
- Do you have a local Oklahoma City spinal cord injury lawyer?
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What is a spinal cord injury claim in Oklahoma?
A spinal cord injury claim in Oklahoma is a legal action brought by someone who suffered damage to their spinal cord because of another party’s negligence or wrongful acts, such as in a car crash, fall, or workplace accident.
This type of claim seeks compensation for the victim’s medical bills, ongoing care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other related losses. Because spinal cord injuries often lead to long-term disabilities or paralysis, the financial and personal impacts can be devastating. Oklahoma law allows injured people to seek damages from those responsible to help cover these lifetime costs.
What causes spinal cord injuries?
Serious spinal cord injuries in Oklahoma City often happen in crashes on I-35, I-40, I-44, and the Kilpatrick Turnpike, as well as in falls at job sites, stores, and apartment complexes throughout the metro. Our experienced Oklahoma City back injury lawyers represent clients who suffer from spinal cord and back injuries sustained in a wide range of accidents caused by the negligence or recklessness of other parties:
- Auto accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents account for almost half of all the new spinal cord injuries in the country each year. Fall accidents cause roughly 30 percent of spinal cord injuries. Victims over age 65 are particularly vulnerable to spinal cord injury.
How long do you have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of your accident to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit. If you wait longer than two years, you will likely lose your right to take legal action and recover compensation.
There are some limited exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, if the injury happened to a minor child, the deadline may be extended until after their 18th birthday. Claims against government entities may also have different, shorter notice requirements.
What are the long-term effects of spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries are caused by damage to the vertebrae, ligaments, or disks of the spinal column or spinal cord. The type of injury you sustain depends on the severity and location of the injury, including the cervical or neck area, the thoracic or chest level, and the lumbar sacral or lower back. Spinal cord injuries can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Complete or partial paralysis
- Reduced mobility
- Breathing difficulties
- Damage to one or both sides of the body
- Harm to your arms or legs
- Loss of muscle control
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Sensory problems
- Pain and weakness
- Numbness
- Blood pressure problems
- Nerve damage
What are the different types of spinal cord injuries?
Spinal cord injuries can vary widely in severity and how they affect the body. The type and location of the injury usually determine what abilities or sensations are lost and what the path to recovery may look like. Understanding the medical terms used can help victims and families know what to expect and what their long-term needs might be.
Complete spinal cord injuries
A complete spinal cord injury means there is no function or feeling below the level of the injury. This type of injury usually results in more severe paralysis and a complete loss of movement and sensation in affected areas.
Incomplete spinal cord injuries
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some movement, sensation, or function still remains below the site of the injury. Depending on how bad the damage to the spinal cord is, the level of remaining function can range from a little sensation to almost normal movement.
Paraplegia
Paraplegia is a type of paralysis that affects the bottom half of the body, usually both legs and sometimes part of the trunk. This type of spinal cord injury happens more often when the injury is in the chest or lower back.
Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia
Quadriplegia, or tetraplegia, is when an accident affects the arms, legs, and body from the neck down. Damage to the cervical area of the spinal cord is mainly what causes this. It can affect almost every part of the body below the neck.
Herniated disc and non-paralytic back injuries
Not every injury to the spine causes paralysis. A herniated disc or other back injury that doesn't cause paralysis can still cause significant pain, damage nerves, cause muscle loss, and lead to significant challenges with mobility. These injuries might not leave you permanently disabled, but they can nevertheless have a big effect on your everyday life and long-term health.
Understanding the type of spinal cord injury is an important first step in planning treatment, rehabilitation, and any legal action to recover damages for your losses.
What should you do after a spinal cord injury accident?
If you or a loved one experiences a spinal cord injury accident, it’s important to take certain steps as quickly as possible to protect your health and your rights. Acting promptly and carefully can make a big difference in your recovery and your legal options.
- Call 911 and wait for police officers to arrive and generate a police report.
- Get emergency medical help immediately; don’t try to move if there’s any chance of spine or neck damage.
- Keep track of your diagnosis, doctors, and medical care, and follow all treatment instructions.
- If you can, take pictures of the accident scene, write down the names of witnesses, and any other details you remember.
- Don't talk about who was at fault or make statements to insurance adjusters until you've talked to a lawyer.
- As soon as you can, get in touch with an Oklahoma spinal cord injury lawyer who has handled cases like yours before. They can investigate the case for you and try to figure out who was to blame.
Taking these actions can help protect your long-term health and secure the right evidence.
The importance of seeking immediate medical attention after a spinal cord injury
Without treatment, further damage can occur over days or weeks because of bleeding, swelling, inflammation, or fluid accumulation in and around your spinal cord.
If you injured your back or spine in an accident, you should seek immediate emergency medical attention to minimize your long-term injuries and protect your rights to compensation from any negligent parties. If you need help finding the right doctors for further treatment or care, our Oklahoma personal injury lawyers can help.
Complications from a spinal cord injury
Following the initial injury, those suffering from the long-term effects of spinal cord injury may face further acute, secondary medical complications, which further erode the patient’s quality of life and ability to function. Those complications might include:
- Respiratory complications
- Cardiovascular complications
- Urinary and bowel complications
- Pain
- Spasticity
- Pressure ulcers
- Osteoporosis
- Bone fractures
Those who have sustained a spinal cord injury in an accident that was the result of the negligence or reckless conduct of another person may be able to take legal action against the responsible party and recover compensation.
Understanding the lifetime costs of a spinal cord injury
How much does a spinal cord injury cost over a lifetime? Spinal cord injuries can cost hundreds of thousands to several million dollars over a lifetime, depending on how severe the injury is, how old the victim is when injured, and how much lifelong care is needed.
Some of the main costs include:
- Emergency treatment at the scene and in the hospital
- Multiple surgeries and follow-up care
- Physical and occupational rehabilitation
- Mobility devices such as wheelchairs or braces
- Modifications to the home for accessibility, such as ramps, widened doors, or special bathrooms
- In-home nursing or personal care, sometimes forever
- Lost earning capacity or being unable to return to previous work
- Ongoing pain management and medications
In general, lifetime costs of spinal cord injuries range from about $700,000 to $2.5 million or more per person, depending on severity, age, and care needs.
Because the financial burden is so great, it’s vital to pursue every dollar of compensation possible when the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence.
What kind of compensation can I recover after a spinal cord injury?
Some of the damages that an injured person may be able to recover include:
- Medical expenses: All the medical bills related to the accident injury, the medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, in-home personal care, future medical procedures, doctor visits, and nursing care would be included.
- Lost wages: After a spinal cord injury, a person may not be able to do the work they did before the accident. They may not be able to work at all. An experienced spinal cord injury lawyer will help ensure that the injured person receives compensation for time lost, work, and any diminished earning capacity arising from the injury.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for pain and suffering includes not just the pain of the initial injury, but the suffering that comes when a person's entire lifestyle must be curtailed because of their inability to move their body and walk on their own.
Has someone you care about sustained a serious spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident or a fall? A skilled Oklahoma spinal cord injury attorney from Cunningham & Mears is here to help the injured recover the compensation they need to get on with their lives and take care of their families.
How much is a spinal cord injury case worth?
Spinal cord injury cases are usually valued much higher than many other personal injury claims because the impact can last a lifetime. The overall value of a case depends on several factors, all of which help determine the true cost of the injury for the victim and their family.
- Whether the injury is complete or incomplete
- The need for surgery and long-term treatment
- The extent of paralysis or mobility loss
- The victim’s age and earning ability
- Future care and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
Each spinal cord injury case is unique, so there is no universal amount that each one is worth.
Who can be held liable for a spinal cord injury accident?
Liability for a spinal cord injury accident in Oklahoma depends on how and where the injury happened. The responsible party can vary based on the circumstances, and identifying everyone who played a role can be essential to getting full compensation.
Negligent drivers
If the injury was caused by a car, truck, or motorcycle crash, the at-fault driver can be held responsible for damages. Sometimes, more than one driver or even a commercial trucking company could share liability.
Property owners
When a spinal cord injury results from a slip, trip, or fall on dangerous property, the owner or manager of that property may be legally liable if they did not fix hazards or warn people about them.
Product manufacturers
If a defective or unsafe product was to blame, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer can be held liable through a product liability claim.
Employers
If another negligent party caused your injury while working, that party’s employer may be liable under vicarious liability principles. If your injury happened on the job, claims against your own employer are often limited by Oklahoma workers’ compensation law unless an exception applies.
Speaking with an experienced attorney can help ensure that all possible sources of compensation are pursued.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a back injury and a spinal cord injury?
A back injury can affect bones, muscles, or discs in the back and may cause pain or limited movement, but doesn’t necessarily involve nerve damage. A spinal cord injury specifically damages the spinal cord itself, which can result in paralysis, loss of sensation, or long-term disability.
Can I sue for a herniated disc or spinal trauma?
Yes, you can sue if your herniated disc or spinal trauma was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a car accident or fall.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Oklahoma uses modified comparative negligence. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but the amount you get will be reduced based on how much you were to blame.
Will insurance pay for long-term spinal cord injury care?
Insurance may pay for certain long-term costs, but in many cases, policies include limits that don't cover all of the costs of lifelong care. A lawsuit may be necessary to collect more money in these situations.
How long does a spinal cord injury case take?
Spinal cord injury cases often take several months to a few years to resolve. This depends on how complicated the case is, how bad the injury is, and whether the parties reach a settlement or the matter goes to trial.
Can I recover future medical expenses?
Yes, you can include future medical costs like surgery, treatment, rehabilitation, and in-home care in your spinal cord injury claim.
Do I need a lawyer for a spinal cord injury claim?
While there is no requirement to work with an attorney, having experienced legal help greatly improves your chances of recovering fair compensation, especially given the complexity and high value of spinal cord injury cases.
Do you have a local Oklahoma City spinal cord injury lawyer?
There are local Oklahoma City spinal cord injury lawyers available to help you. Cunningham & Mears offers representation to people who have suffered spinal cord injuries and has two convenient locations in the city.
You can visit our main office at 5104 N Francis Ave, Suite 102, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, or our Westgate OKC office at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, Oklahoma City, OK 73162. Our team understands the challenges faced by spinal cord injury victims and is ready to discuss your case whenever you need help.
Seek assistance from an Oklahoma City spinal cord injury attorney you can trust
If you suffer from a back injury, spinal cord injury, or paralysis resulting from an accident caused by someone’s negligent, reckless, or wrongful acts, you do not have to suffer alone. At Cunningham & Mears, we are committed to providing you with the assistance you need on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. To learn more about our personal injury services, contact us for a free initial consultation at our Oklahoma City office. If you cannot travel to us, we can come to you.
