You’re crossing a busy Oklahoma City intersection when a driver runs a red light. Within moments you cannot feel your legs. A spinal cord injury changes everything: mobility, independence, livelihood. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers fight for the full compensation you deserve. Free consultation, no upfront cost.
Key takeaways
- Classification drives case value. A complete cervical injury (quadriplegia) generates far greater lifetime costs than a lumbar incomplete injury.
- Noneconomic cap exceptions apply. Under 23 O.S. § 61.3, severe spinal cord injuries causing lasting harm are typically exempt from the $500,000 cap, and the cap’s constitutionality remains an open legal question.
- Economic damages are uncapped. Medical bills, future care costs, lost wages, adaptive equipment, and home modifications are recovered in full.
- Two-year filing deadline. Under 12 O.S. § 95, you have two years from the injury date to file. Missing it permanently bars recovery.
- Comparative fault applies. Under 23 O.S. § 13, you can still recover as long as your fault does not exceed 50%.
What are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries in Oklahoma?
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause, followed by falls, workplace accidents, and violence.
Our spinal cord injury attorneys handle cases involving:
- Car accidents: the single leading cause: high-speed collisions and rollovers fracture vertebrae or sever the cord.
- Truck accidents: commercial vehicle weight generates devastating impact forces.
- Motorcycle accidents: riders lack structural protection, making severe injury more likely in any collision.
- Pedestrian accidents: direct vehicle impact with no protection.
- Falls: poorly maintained property causes a significant share of spinal cord injuries.
- Drunk driving accidents: impaired drivers cause a disproportionate share of high-force collisions.
These injuries often co-occur with traumatic brain injuries and are among the catastrophic injuries we handle.
Types of spinal cord and back injuries: how classification affects your case
Injuries are classified by location on the spine and completeness of cord damage. Higher injuries produce more severe disability and higher lifetime care costs. Complete injuries eliminate all motor and sensory function below the site; incomplete injuries preserve some nerve pathways.
Common back injuries accompanying spinal cord damage include:
- Herniated discs: inner disc material presses against spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. The Mayo Clinic herniated disk resource explains what to expect.
- Vertebral fractures: compression or burst fractures can directly damage the cord or send bone fragments against nerve tissue.
- Central cord syndrome: the most common incomplete cervical injury, producing greater arm weakness than leg weakness.
- Cord contusion: bruising or bleeding around the cord causes temporary or permanent dysfunction.
See our pages on back injuries from car accidents, quadriplegia and paralysis injury claims, and neck injury values.
| Injury level | Complete injury | Incomplete injury |
|---|---|---|
| Cervical (C1-C8), neck | Quadriplegia: all four limbs affected, may require ventilator | Partial arm/hand function may be preserved; varies by vertebra |
| Thoracic (T1-T12), upper/mid back | Paraplegia: legs and trunk affected; arms unaffected | Some leg or trunk movement preserved |
| Lumbar (L1-L5), lower back | Loss of leg function; bladder and bowel may be affected | Partial leg movement possible; may walk with assistance |
| Sacral (S1-S5), base of spine | Loss of some leg, bladder, and bowel function | Most leg function preserved; some bladder/bowel impairment |
For a medical overview, the Mayo Clinic’s spinal cord injury resource covers injury types and expected medical course.
Who is liable when a spinal cord injury is caused by negligence?
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, Oklahoma law gives you the right to pursue compensation. Potentially liable parties include:
- Careless drivers: motor vehicle negligence accounts for the largest share of spinal cord injury claims in Oklahoma.
- Property owners: premises owners who fail to maintain safe conditions may be liable. Our premises liability attorneys handle these cases.
- Employers and contractors: workplace injuries may involve third-party claims against equipment manufacturers or negligent contractors alongside workers’ compensation.
- Product manufacturers: defective vehicles or safety equipment may give rise to product liability claims.
- Government entities: dangerous road conditions may require a Governmental Tort Claims Act notice; government cases require faster action than standard injury lawsuits.
Oklahoma’s modified comparative fault under 23 O.S. § 13 allows recovery when fault does not exceed 50%. Read our guide on comparative negligence in Oklahoma. Fatal spinal cord injuries may give rise to a wrongful death claim.
Compensation available for spinal cord injuries in Oklahoma
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) estimates lifetime medical expenses for a high cervical complete injury at age 25 exceed $5 million; lower-level injuries still generate $1 million to $2 million, not counting lost wages, home modifications, or attendant care.
| Damage category | What it covers | Oklahoma rule |
|---|---|---|
| Economic damages | Medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, adaptive equipment, home modifications, attendant care | No statutory cap; recover actual losses in full |
| Noneconomic damages | Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life | $500,000 per 23 O.S. § 61.3; exceptions for severe physical injury or reckless conduct |
| Punitive damages | Punishment for reckless or intentional conduct | Greater of $100,000 or actual damages per 23 O.S. § 9.1 |
For settlement context, see our page on how much a spinal cord injury is worth in Oklahoma City and our article on examples of punitive damages.
Oklahoma laws that affect your spinal cord injury claim
Filing deadline (12 O.S. § 95): Your filing window is two years from the injury date. Government entity claims require one-year notice; do not wait. Our page on exceptions to the statute of limitations covers when the clock may pause.
Noneconomic cap (23 O.S. § 61.3): Oklahoma’s cap is an open legal question. The prior $350,000 cap under former 23 O.S. § 61.2 was struck down in Beason v. I.E. Miller Services, 2019 OK 28. A new $500,000 cap has been in effect since September 2025 but has not been reviewed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Spinal cord injuries causing lasting harm almost always qualify for the exception. See our attorney resource on 2025 Oklahoma tort reform.
Comparative negligence (23 O.S. § 13): Fault is allocated by percentage; recovery is barred only when fault exceeds 50%. Do not give a recorded statement without counsel. Read our article on recovering when you were partly at fault.
How a spinal cord injury attorney builds your case
Spinal cord injury cases require investigators, medical specialists, life-care planners, and economic experts working together before any settlement discussion is appropriate. Our attorneys manage each stage:
- Investigating the cause of your injury and establishing fault
- Consulting neurosurgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and life-care planners to document your full injury picture
- Calculating lifetime costs including future surgeries, adaptive equipment, attendant care, and lost earning capacity
- Negotiating with insurers and evaluating whether to settle or go to trial
- Taking your case to a jury when the offer does not reflect fair value
We work on contingency: you pay nothing unless we recover. Read our guide on dealing with insurance companies and our article on why hiring a personal injury attorney matters.
What to expect during your spinal cord injury claim
Spinal cord injury claims take 18 to 36 months because lifetime costs must be fully documented. Settling too early is the most common and costly mistake.
| Phase | What happens | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Investigation | Accident reconstruction, liability analysis, evidence preservation | 1 to 3 months |
| 2. Treatment and life-care planning | Surgeries, rehabilitation, equipment trials; life-care planner documents future needs | 6 to 18 months |
| 3. Demand preparation | Economic expert calculates lifetime costs; demand package compiled | 1 to 3 months |
| 4. Negotiation and mediation | Structured settlement discussions; mediation if discussions stall | 2 to 4 months |
| 5. Trial (if needed) | Full trial with expert testimony on lifetime care costs | 4 to 8 months |
For context, see our article on how long a personal injury lawsuit takes in Oklahoma and our overview of the discovery process.
Why choose Hasbrook & Hasbrook for your spinal cord injury case
Our firm is family-run and Oklahoma-rooted. Clayton Hasbrook became a lawyer to continue what his father T. David Hasbrook started: fighting for Oklahomans hurt by someone else’s negligence. Learn more at Clayton T. Hasbrook’s attorney profile, T. David Hasbrook’s profile, and our firm overview.
- Oklahoma roots: We know the courts, judges, adjusters, and communities where these injuries happen.
- Depth over volume: We limit our caseload so every client receives personal attorney attention.
- Trial readiness: Insurers know which firms will go to trial. Our willingness to try cases produces better settlement offers.
- Direct attorney access: Call, text, or email anytime. Proactive updates at every stage.
Our fee is 25% for pre-litigation settlements, lower than the 33% industry standard. No upfront costs; you owe nothing if we don’t recover. See our FAQ on no-win, no-fee representation and our article on how much personal injury lawyers charge.
Frequently asked questions about spinal cord injury in Oklahoma
How much is a spinal cord injury case worth in Oklahoma?
Value depends on injury classification, lifetime medical costs, lost earning capacity, and daily life impact. Many cases reach seven figures. See our page on how much your personal injury lawsuit may be worth.
How long do I have to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Two years from the injury date under 12 O.S. § 95. Government entity claims require one-year notice. Spinal cord cases need immediate evidence preservation, so early legal contact matters.
Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, under 23 O.S. § 13, as long as your fault does not exceed 50%. Your award is reduced by your fault percentage. Experienced representation counters insurer attempts to inflate your fault share.
What does it cost to hire a spinal cord injury lawyer in Oklahoma City?
Nothing upfront. Our contingency fee is 25% for pre-litigation settlements, lower than the 33% standard. We advance all case expenses. You owe nothing if we do not win.
What types of compensation are available for spinal cord injuries?
Oklahoma allows uncapped economic damages (medical bills, future care, lost wages, equipment, home modifications), noneconomic damages up to $500,000 under 23 O.S. § 61.3 with exceptions for severe injuries, and punitive damages under 23 O.S. § 9.1 for reckless conduct.
What is the difference between complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries?
A complete injury eliminates all motor and sensory function below the injury site. An incomplete injury preserves some nerve connections, allowing partial movement or sensation. Incomplete injuries offer more recovery potential, but many still cause permanent limitations.
What evidence do I need for a spinal cord injury case?
Critical evidence includes accident reconstruction reports, MRI and CT imaging, surgical records, life-care plans, vocational assessments, and economic projections of lost earning capacity.
Can I sue if the spinal cord injury happened at work?
Workers’ compensation may apply, but a third-party civil claim against a reckless driver, equipment manufacturer, or negligent contractor can run alongside workers’ comp and significantly increase your total recovery.
Ready to talk to an Oklahoma City spinal cord injury lawyer?
The filing window is already running. Call (405) 605-2426 for a free consultation or contact us online. We serve spinal cord injury clients throughout Oklahoma City and statewide. No fee unless we win.
