Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Bad Faith Insurance, Car Accidents, T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Dangerous Drugs
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most serious and life-changing injuries anyone can face. In a single moment—whether it’s a car crash, a fall, or another accident—your entire life can shift. Not only does it affect your physical health, but it also impacts your ability to work, move freely, and enjoy the daily parts of life many of us take for granted.
If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury in Tulsa, understanding your rights and options is key. With the proper legal support, you may be able to recover compensation that helps cover medical bills, lost income, and the long-term care these injuries often require.
A spinal cord injury, or SCI, happens when there’s damage to the spinal cord or the nerves located near the spinal canal’s base. These injuries can interrupt the messages your brain sends to the rest of your body. Depending on the severity of the damage, it may result in partial or complete paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries are often categorized as either complete or incomplete. A complete injury means there is a total loss of sensation and movement below the site of the injury. Incomplete injuries mean some function or feeling remains.
The most common outcomes of severe SCI are:
The ASIA exam is the gold standard for assessing sensory and motor impairments in spinal cord injury. — American Spinal Injury Association
Many spinal cord injuries are caused by sudden trauma. In Tulsa, the most frequent causes include motor vehicle accidents and falls, especially in older adults. But there are several other ways these injuries can happen.
Car and motorcycle crashes account for over 40% of new spinal cord injuries annually in the United States.
Here’s a quick look at the leading causes of SCIs:
| Cause | % of New SCI Cases | Typical Complications/Damages |
| Motor vehicle accidents | ~40% | Inpatient rehab, long-term care |
| Falls (especially in seniors) | ~25–30% | Fractures, paraplegia, home mod costs |
| Violence (gunshot/stab) | ~12–15% | Surgery, permanent disability |
| Sports and recreation | ~8–10% | Physical therapy, loss of mobility |
| Alcohol-related incidents | ~25% (contributing) | DUI liability, higher injury severity |
| Diseases or medical causes | Varies | Spinal tumors, arthritis, infections |
Spinal cord injuries don’t just affect your ability to walk or move. They can cause a wide range of complications that last for years—if not a lifetime. Many people face permanent disability, loss of bowel or bladder control, difficulty breathing, and even chronic pain.
In addition to the physical effects, there’s the emotional side. People with SCI often experience depression, anxiety, and a sense of isolation. The recovery process is complex, and it’s not something you or your family should have to face alone.
In the U.S., approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injuries occur each year — nearly 40 cases per million people annually.
The cost of care adds up quickly. From hospital stays and rehab to wheelchair-accessible vehicles and in-home care, the expenses can stretch into the millions over a lifetime.
According to NSCISC, the average lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury is $1.2 million for 50‑year‑olds with some motor function and over $5 million for younger patients with high tetraplegia. — National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center
Oklahoma law allows injury victims to seek compensation if another party’s negligence caused their spinal cord injury. This could include a careless driver, a business that failed to fix a hazard, or even a product manufacturer.
If someone else’s actions caused your injury, you may be entitled to damages such as:
It’s essential to act quickly. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury.
Oklahoma’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury. — Title 12 §95, Oklahoma Statutes
Oklahoma also follows a comparative negligence rule. That means if you’re partially at fault, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of responsibility.
Spinal cord injury cases are more complex than most personal injury claims. You need a law firm that understands both the legal and medical aspects of your injury. From working with medical experts to calculating the actual long-term costs, an experienced attorney can make a big difference.
At Graves McLain Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped spinal cord injury victims in Tulsa and across Oklahoma understand their rights to receive the compensation they deserve. We collaborate with life-care planners, vocational experts, and medical specialists to develop robust cases for our clients.
We also handle every case on a contingency fee basis—meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
The steps you take right after an accident can make a big difference in your recovery and your legal claim. Here’s what to focus on:
Paraplegia affects the legs, pelvic area, and part of the trunk. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) impacts all four limbs, plus the chest and abdominal regions.
You have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim in Oklahoma. This is known as the statute of limitations for personal injury cases.
Yes. These cases are medically and legally complex. A lawyer with experience in spinal cord injuries can better estimate long-term costs and gather the right experts.
No. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers only gets paid if they win your case. If there’s no recovery, there’s no legal fee.
Attorneys work with life-care planners, doctors, and vocational experts to estimate the lifetime costs of medical treatment, care, and lost income.
Spinal cord injuries are devastating—but you don’t have to face the road ahead alone. With the proper legal guidance, you can pursue compensation to help with medical costs, lifestyle changes, and long-term care. Oklahoma law gives you the right to seek justice if someone else’s negligence caused your injury.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has experience helping spinal cord injury victims and their families in Tulsa and beyond. Our team understands what you’re going through and is here to advocate for your future—so you can focus on your recovery.
If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury in any accident, reach out for a free consultation. We’re here when you need us most.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
