A spinal cord injury changes every part of a person’s daily life. It affects how you move, work, and care for yourself and others. When someone else’s negligence caused the harm, holding them accountable becomes a priority.
A Tulsa spinal cord injury attorney from Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can help you take action and pursue compensation for the losses that follow a serious injury. Our firm helps individuals and families rebuild stability and move forward with the resources they need to recover and adapt. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Spinal cord injuries occur when trauma disrupts the brain’s ability to communicate with the body. The outcome depends on where the injury occurs and whether the cord is completely or partially damaged.
A complete spinal cord injury blocks all communication between the brain and body below the injury site. This means total loss of movement and sensation in affected areas. For example, a complete injury in the cervical spine may cause paralysis in both the arms and legs.
An incomplete injury allows partial nerve signals to pass through. Individuals may retain limited movement, sensation, or control in certain muscles. Recovery often depends on early treatment and rehabilitation.
Tetraplegia affects both the upper and lower parts of the body, including the arms, hands, trunk, and legs. These injuries usually occur in the neck region and require extensive medical care and assistive support.
Paraplegia affects movement and sensation in the lower half of the body. Individuals may lose control of their legs, but upper body strength and mobility can remain intact.
Sometimes, injuries cause damage to specific sections of the spinal cord rather than the entire structure:
Spinal cord injuries occur in many settings across Tulsa, often during daily activities that suddenly go wrong. When another person’s carelessness or negligence causes the injury, that party may be held legally responsible.
Collisions on busy routes like U.S. Highway 75 or the Broken Arrow Expressway often cause violent impacts that fracture vertebrae or compress the spinal cord. Drivers who speed, text, or drive under the influence frequently contribute to these devastating outcomes.
Motorcyclists have little protection from the force of a collision. Even with helmets and safety gear, riders involved in high-speed crashes often suffer spinal injuries that alter mobility and independence a situation where guidance from a motorcycle accident lawyer can be essential.
Tulsa’s downtown and midtown areas see heavy traffic, and distracted or reckless drivers sometimes strike pedestrians and cyclists. The human body cannot withstand the impact of a vehicle, and spinal trauma often results.
Falls from slick floors, uneven sidewalks, or poorly maintained stairways can cause spinal cord damage, and speaking with a trip and fall injury lawyer can help determine whether the property owner is liable for the unsafe conditions.
Employees at construction sites, warehouses, or oil facilities sometimes fall from scaffolds or are struck by heavy machinery. Employers and contractors have a legal duty to maintain safe working conditions and follow safety protocols.
Spinal cord damage may result from surgical mistakes, improper anesthesia, or delayed diagnosis of spinal conditions. When a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, patients suffer life-altering consequences, a situation where consulting a medical malpractice lawyer can be essential.
Faulty seat belts, malfunctioning airbags, or defective medical devices can cause or worsen spinal injuries. Product manufacturers and distributors may be held accountable when their products fail and cause harm.
Spinal injuries sometimes occur during football games, diving accidents, or cycling near River Parks. While risk is part of sports, inadequate supervision, unsafe equipment, or negligent conduct can make someone else responsible.
Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that if you share partial blame for an accident, your financial recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover damages if you’re less than 51 percent responsible.
Oklahoma law limits certain non-economic damages, such as those for pain and suffering, in specific cases. However, exceptions apply when conduct involves reckless or intentional behavior.
A spinal cord injury often requires years of medical treatment, personal care, and home modifications. The costs extend far beyond the hospital.
Treatment for spinal cord injuries begins immediately after the accident and may continue indefinitely. Compensation can include:
In severe cases, a life-care planner can work with medical professionals to estimate the total cost of long-term care so future needs are reflected in the claim.
Spinal injuries often interrupt employment or make returning to previous work impossible. Compensation can address:
Attorneys often work with vocational experts to calculate the economic impact of these losses.
Pain and suffering compensation recognizes the physical pain, emotional distress, and ongoing discomfort associated with spinal cord injuries. It also accounts for how chronic pain or physical limitations affect relationships and daily living.
Spinal cord injuries can prevent people from participating in hobbies, family activities, or daily routines they once enjoyed. Compensation recognizes how these losses affect personal fulfillment.
Adapting to life after a spinal injury often requires specialized equipment and home adjustments, such as:
These expenses add up quickly, and thorough documentation helps ensure they’re fully included in a claim.
Emotional health plays a major role in recovery. Therapy, counseling, and mental health care may be necessary for both the injured individual and their family members. Compensation may include:
Even small recurring expenses can create a burden over time. Reimbursement may include:
Recovery from spinal trauma extends beyond the initial hospitalization. The effects influence nearly every part of daily life.
Individuals may experience muscle spasms, respiratory issues, infections, or loss of bladder and bowel control. Continuous medical supervision helps manage these complications.
Adapting to paralysis or partial mobility loss can bring depression, frustration, and social isolation. Counseling and support groups provide valuable tools for emotional healing.
Long-term care costs and income loss can strain family finances. Many families must adjust their living arrangements, seek outside assistance, or take on caregiving roles.
Advances in medicine continue to improve longevity and function for spinal injury survivors. Access to rehabilitation, assistive technology, and community resources plays a major role in maintaining quality of life.
Proving liability requires showing that another person’s negligence directly caused your injury. Attorneys gather evidence, consult professionals, and build a strong factual record to support your claim.
Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with reasonable care, causing harm to another person. To prove this, attorneys must show:
Strong claims rely on detailed evidence such as accident reports, medical records, photos, and witness statements. Early investigation helps preserve key proof before it’s lost or altered.
Doctors, rehabilitation specialists, and vocational experts explain how the injury affects long-term health and work ability. Their insights strengthen claims for medical expenses and future care needs.
Accident reconstruction professionals analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, and scene data to determine how a crash occurred. Their reports often help pinpoint fault in car or truck accidents.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers represents individuals in Tulsa who suffered spinal cord injuries caused by negligence, carelessness, or intentional harm. Our firm has handled serious injury cases involving collisions, medical errors, and unsafe work environments. We approach every case with compassion and determination to help clients rebuild stability.
We communicate clearly, answer questions promptly, and keep you informed throughout the process. Our goal is to handle the legal details while you focus on healing and recovery. When the at-fault party or their insurer refuses to take responsibility, we pursue the matter through litigation to hold them accountable.
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. Failing to act before this deadline usually prevents recovery. Speaking with an attorney soon after the incident protects your right to seek compensation.
Yes. Oklahoma’s comparative negligence rule allows partial recovery if you were less than 51 percent at fault. The amount you can recover is reduced by your share of responsibility.
You may have other options, such as uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage through your own insurance policy. An attorney can review available coverage and explore potential third-party claims.
The timeline depends on the severity of the injury, the complexity of the case, and how willing the insurance company is to negotiate in good faith. Some cases settle in months, while others require litigation that takes longer.
No. Early offers often undervalue long-term costs and losses. Your attorney can evaluate the offer and negotiate for a fair resolution based on the full scope of your injuries.
Time limits apply to personal injury claims, and waiting too long can harm your case. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can begin investigating immediately, preserving evidence and gathering expert input to strengthen your claim. We represent individuals across Tulsa who want accountability and a fair financial outcome after spinal cord injuries.
Our team understands how these injuries disrupt daily life and family stability. We work to secure compensation for medical care, future treatment, lost income, and quality of life changes. Contact Graves McLain Injury Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation by calling 918-359-6600.
