Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers for survivors, crime victims and families after a wreck in Oklahoma.
Choose a topic below, or call us if you do not see your question here.
Answers to common questions
These answers are general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Call (918) 221-3861 and we will talk through your situation with you.
Getting started
How much does a consultation cost?
Consultations are free and confidential. You can call or send a message, tell us as much or as little as you want and ask any questions you have. There is no cost for that first conversation and no pressure to hire us. If we think we can help, we will explain how your case would work, what the next steps look like and what we would need from you. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you honestly, and when we can, we will point you toward someone who may be able to help.
Is what I tell you kept private?
Yes. We treat what you share with us as confidential from the first conversation, and we do not share your story with anyone without your permission. One caution: a website form is not a secure channel, so please keep your first message short. You can leave just your name, a safe phone number and a good time to call. Save the details for a private conversation with our team.
Do I need to know what kind of case I have before I call?
No. Most people who call us are not sure what to call what happened, or whether it is a legal case at all. That is fine. Tell us what happened in your own words, and we will help you sort out your options. Some situations involve more than one kind of claim. A person attacked at an apartment complex, for example, may have a claim against the attacker and also against a property owner who ignored known dangers. Sorting that out is our job, not yours.
How do I reach you?
Call (918) 221-3861 or send us a short message. If a phone call feels hard, a message is fine. Tell us the safest way and time to reach you, and we will follow it. Our office is at 1733 S. Lewis in Tulsa, and we work with people in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and communities across Oklahoma. If you are in danger right now, please call 911 first.
Sexual abuse and assault
These questions come up in almost every first call with a survivor. You can read more about civil cases for sexual abuse survivors.
Do I have to talk about everything on the first call?
No. You decide how much to share and when. On a first call, many survivors tell us only a few sentences, and that is enough to start. We will ask a few gentle questions to understand whether we may be able to help, and you can skip any question you do not want to answer. You can take a break, end the call or call back another day. Our attorneys have trauma-informed training, and we work at your pace.
Is it too late to take legal action?
Maybe not, and the only way to know is to ask a lawyer about your situation. Deadlines for civil claims in Oklahoma depend on the facts, including how old you were when the abuse happened, who is responsible and when you came to understand the harm. These rules are complex, and they change. Please do not rule yourself out because years have passed. Many survivors do not speak up for a long time, and that is a normal response to trauma. Call us, and we will look at your timeline with you.
Will my name be made public?
Filing under initials or a pseudonym may be possible, and we will talk with you about whether it fits your case. Your privacy matters to us from the first call. Before anything is filed, we will explain which parts of a case can become public, what steps may help limit that and what choices you have. Nothing moves forward without your say.
What if there was never a police report or a criminal conviction?
You can still have a civil case. A civil claim is separate from a criminal case. It does not require a police report, criminal charges or a conviction, and it uses a different standard of proof. The person who hurt you can be sued in civil court even if the state never filed charges. You also do not have to report to police before you talk with us. If you want to report, we can talk about what that process may look like.
Can a school, church or other organization be held responsible?
Sometimes, yes. When an organization knew or should have known about a danger and failed to act, it may share responsibility for the harm. That can include schools, churches, youth programs, sports clubs, daycare centers and employers. Learn more about claims against institutions that failed to protect. If you were abused as a child and are an adult now, our page on childhood sexual abuse claims explains how these cases can work.
Car and truck wrecks
Our personal injury practice covers car wrecks, truck wrecks and wrongful death claims across Oklahoma.
What should I do after a car or truck wreck?
Get medical care first, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like concussions and back injuries, show up hours or days later. If you can, take photos of the vehicles, the scene and your injuries, get the other driver's insurance information and the names of witnesses, and ask for the police report number. Keep your medical bills and records. Be careful with the other driver's insurance company. Before you give a recorded statement or sign anything, talk with a car wreck lawyer about your options.
Why are truck wrecks different from car wrecks?
Truck wrecks often involve more parties and more rules. A commercial truck may have a driver, a trucking company, a company that loaded the cargo and a company that maintained the truck, and each may have its own insurer. Interstate trucking is governed by federal safety rules, including limits on how long drivers can stay on the road. Evidence such as driver logs and electronic data can be lost if no one asks for it early. That is why it helps to get help with a truck wreck claim soon.
Can I bring a claim if a family member died in a wreck?
Often, yes. Oklahoma allows a wrongful death claim when a person dies because of someone else's wrongful act or carelessness. The claim is usually brought by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the family. It may cover funeral costs, medical bills, lost financial support and the grief and loss of companionship the family has suffered. We know these calls are hard. You can learn how wrongful death claims work, or call us and we will walk through it with you.
How long do I have to file an injury claim?
In most cases, Oklahoma gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim. There are exceptions that can make a deadline shorter or change how it is counted, so please talk to a lawyer about your deadline as soon as you can.
What if I was partly at fault?
You may still be able to recover. Oklahoma uses a comparative fault rule. Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault, and you cannot recover if your share is greater than the other side's. Insurance companies often try to push more of the blame onto the injured person, so do not assume you are out of options. Tell us what happened, and we will look at the facts with you.
Victims of crime
A criminal case belongs to the state. A civil claim for crime victims belongs to you.
Can I sue if I was hurt in a violent crime?
Yes, in many cases. A civil case can be brought against the person who hurt you, whether or not the criminal case led to a conviction. In some cases a property owner or business may also be responsible, for example when an apartment complex, hotel, bar or parking lot ignored known safety problems. A civil case is about accountability and about paying for the harm the crime caused, such as medical bills, counseling and lost income.
What is a negligent security claim?
It is a claim against a property owner or manager whose failure to provide reasonable security helped make a crime possible. Examples include broken locks, poor lighting, cameras that never worked or a history of crimes on the property that no one addressed. These claims depend on what the owner knew and what they did about it. Read more about negligent security cases in Oklahoma.
Is there help for crime victims besides a lawsuit?
Yes. The state's Crime Victims Compensation Program, run by the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, can help eligible victims of violent crime with certain costs, such as medical care, counseling and lost wages, when insurance or other sources do not cover them. A civil claim is separate and may reach losses the program does not, such as pain and suffering. We can talk with you about how the two fit together.
Working with our team
Who will I work with?
You will work with a small, all-female team: two attorneys, Laurie Koller and Laura Martinez, and two paralegals, Susan Hunter and Renee Hurd. Laurie has practiced law since 1991 and has tried more than 100 cases. Laura came to this work from corporate finance and public defense. Because we are a small team, you will know who is handling your case and how to reach them. You can meet the attorneys and paralegals before you call.
Can I talk with someone in Spanish?
Yes. Attorney Laura Martinez is bilingual in English and Spanish and serves Oklahoma's Hispanic community. You can talk with her about your situation in Spanish, ask your questions and understand each step of your case in your own language. When you call or send a message, just let us know you prefer Spanish. Our website is also available in Spanish.
Do you only help people in Tulsa?
No. Our office is in Tulsa, and we work with people in Oklahoma City and communities across Oklahoma. Many first conversations happen by phone or video, and we can talk about meeting in person when a case needs it. You can see the areas we serve. Spanish-speaking clients anywhere in the state can work with attorney Laura Martinez.
What happens after I reach out?
A member of our team will get back to you to set up a time to talk. On that call, we listen, ask a few questions and explain your options in plain language. If we can help, we will tell you what the next steps would be and what we would need from you. You decide whether to move forward, with no pressure.
Tell us how we can help
Your message is confidential.