What are the Typical Settlements for Catastrophic Injuries in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, there is no single "typical" settlement for catastrophic injuries because each case depends on unique factors. However, settlements for severe injuries generally command higher compensation due to the intensity and longevity of the damages involved.

Key components that influence the value of catastrophic injury settlements include:

• Economic Damages: These cover concrete financial losses like emergency surgery, long-term rehabilitation, and lifelong medical care. For catastrophic cases, attorneys often work with life care planners to forecast future costs and vocational experts to calculate the permanent loss of earning capacity.
• Non-Economic Damages: These address intangible losses such as physical pain, emotional anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. While Oklahoma does not have a general statutory cap on these damages for most personal injury cases, they are often calculated using a multiplier method (multiplying economic damages by a factor of 1.5 to 5).
• Injury Severity: Injuries resulting in permanent disability or needing lifelong care significantly increase claim value. For example, while a moderate injury might use a lower multiplier, a traumatic brain injury or other permanent disability could support a 4x or 5x multiplier.
• Insurance Policy Limits: The available pool for recovery is often dictated by the at-fault party’s insurance limits. While Oklahoma’s minimum bodily injury coverage is $25,000, serious injury cases typically involve pursuing much higher limits or additional sources of recovery.
• Comparative Negligence: Under Oklahoma’s 51 percent bar, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover any compensation.