Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Personal Injury Lawyers

Zelbst, Holmes & Butler

411 SW 6th St. Lawton, Oklahoma 73501 USA

 (580) 248-4844

www.zelbst.com
 Contact John Zelbst

Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

Zelbst, Holmes & Butler, a nationally recognized litigation firm, has been committed to protecting the rights of the injured for over twenty-five years. Our firm has earned a reputation throughout the United States as tough winning trial lawyers. The top trial lawyers in America regularly retain them when they have tough trial matters that they require assistance.

John Zelbst has been referred to as a "gun slinger from the old west fighting in an alley that time has all but forgotten. Today's court rooms are sterile and dead. More like mausoleums and morgues. John brings life, thunder and justice back into these quiet cold rooms."

Zelbst, Holmes & Butler have set the bar high in many cases to include state records for the highest verdicts in a personal injury case in the amount of 24 million dollars and the largest Federal Court Judge verdict in the amount of 7 million dollars.

To the cases we pursue, we commit the full financial legal and emotional resources of our firm. Zelbst, Holmes & Butler serve Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond, Norman and all of Oklahoma.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Child Injuries; Swimming Pool Accidents; Aggravated DUI; DUS (Driving Under Suspension); Death Penalty Cases.

Practice Areas Description

Our practice includes:

- Medical Malpractice

Malpractice can occur when an Emergency Room doctor attempts to provide treatment that is inappropriate at the time of the patient's presentment at the Emergency Room which can cause further complications to their condition. Failure to request a consult by a specialist during the initial evaluation of the patient can create devastating and often lasting permanent injuries. Malpractice can also be caused by infections within the hospital setting. Medical Malpractice can take many forms: The wrong diagnosis is given; An incorrect dose is administered; Surgery is performed on the wrong limb or patient; Or, a condition is incorrectly diagnosed – to name a few.

- Birth Injuries

Child birth is the most wonderful experience or it can be the most horrific event of your life. Injuries can occur due to a delay in providing the correct diagnosis, the correct delivery procedure, unmonitored or defective equipment. The health of the mother and baby are vital - mistakes occur which are totally preventable. Further complications may occur by a delay by the doctor to arrive at the hospital when requested, or a delay by the nursing staff to follow standard procedures or the orders of the doctor. Among the birth injuries that may be an indication of malpractice during delivery are the following: Cerebral palsy; Erb's palsy; Shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus; Cephalohematoma, or bleeding in the fetus's brain; Infections.

- Child Injuries

Injuries to children can affect them not only physically, but emotionally as well. Serious injuries leave permanent emotional scars for the lifetime on the injured victims. As parents, we know how you feel when someone hurts your child. We will do everything in our power to hold those responsible accountable for what they have done. Some of the children's injury cases include: Children's birth injuries; Children's brain injury; Child's burn injury; Auto accident injuries; Cerebral Palsy cases; Erb's Palsy; Children's pedestrian injuries; Child's bike accident; Paralysis; Defective Products; Child's wrongful death cases.

- Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a delayed onset, minute symptoms, and a complete examination by the physician at the Emergency Room may not show the true extent of injuries. These occur over time and could lead to many other medical conditions. Experts must be consulted to gather the optimum of your injury. Sometimes as the brain heals, the patient may have problems with memory loss, sensory impairment, performing his or her profession, or a change in personality which is not noticeable to you, but may be to a family member or friend.

- Spinal Cord Injury – Quadriplegia – Paralysis

A severe neck or spine injury caused by either a motor vehicle collision, an on-the-job injury, by a fall, or by a surgery that "went wrong" - can cause serious life-changing conditions resulting in permanent paralysis or quadriplegia. It is critical to be diagnosed and treated by competent specialists as soon as possible after the injury. A serious back or neck injury that involves a fractured or crushed vertebrae, can lead to other complications unless correctly diagnosed and treated. After these serious injuries the patient will require long term physical rehabilitation. To properly evaluate your losses, we employ the services of an economists, and life care professionals to evaluate your lost wages, your future earnings and long-term care needs and expenses.

- Truck Accidents

Accidents occur when drivers or owners of 18-wheelers or long-haul trucks are negligent, ineffectively trained, sleep deprived, or may even devoid in the maintenance or repair of their rigs, or a defect in the vehicle itself. Being hit by these vehicles may cause death, paralysis, or permanent disability in many ways, such as loss of a limb preventing you from being able to work to provide a livelihood for your family and other injuries such as a stroke, emotional distress, PTSD, or other debilitating conditions. In many cases, it is possible to negotiate a structured settlement to minimize the burden of taxes, particularly in cases where punitive damages might be available if the case went to trial.

- Wrongful Death

A wrongful death is a death that is caused by the negligence or misconduct of an individual or company. In order to file a wrongful death claim, you must be able to prove that you will experience severe future emotional and financial hardship because of the loss of the negligent death. Wrongful death cases are usually complicated and involve many other legal subjects. In many cases, it is possible to negotiate a structured wrongful death settlement to minimize the burden of taxes, particularly in cases where punitive damages might be available if the case went to trial.

- Auto Accidents

Car accidents can be caused by a number of factors, including drunk driving, improperly maintained roads and construction sites, and reckless or aggressive driving or inattention. After an accident there are two types of settlements. One is for property damage, the other is for personal injury. By signing a check from the insurance company you may be finalizing your claim. If you also believe the adjuster is trying to settle with you too quickly, think before signing. The insurance company wants to settle the case for as little as possible You have two (2) years in Oklahoma to settle a personal injury claim. Medical treatment for your injuries may take this long - sometimes your injuries are permanent in nature. By signing prematurely, you may have given up your rights to sue the wrong-doer.

- Pharmaceutical

New medicines are placed in the market place with intense advertising to lure or attract you to inquire of your physician if it will help an ailment you may have. Your doctor may prescribe a medicine for you but depending on other medicines you are taking, these could cause a reaction in your system which may irritate it or create a worse condition than you began with. These wonder drugs help many people - but others have devastating side effects and could lead to death, stroke or other disabling effects. It has been proven that not enough studies and testing have been made into the long term side effects of many drugs.

- Dog Bites

If a dog bites you or your child without any provocation by you the owner of that dog is legally liable for your injuries. However, if you or your child teases a dog and you are bitten, you are unable to collect for your injuries. The number of dog bites is rising at an alarming rate. Our firm will advise you of your legal rights. After a dog bite it may be determined that the animal was infected. This may require you to obtain rabies shots. Devastating injuries or death can occur by a dog attacking you. You may incur severe bites, require an endless number of sutures, plastic surgery, or even removal of a limb, suffer from depression, PTSD.

- Swimming Pool Accident

A swimming pool is an enticing attraction for children. However without proper supervision, death or serious injuries may occur, including paralysis. If the homeowner does not supervise the swimmers then he or she is liable for all injuries. Insurance companies provide coverage for pools. A homeowner may not be liable for personal injuries if they swim in the pool without permission of the homeowner. If you are visiting a hotel that has swimming or spa amenities, or other public pool, signs must be posted to state whether or not a lifeguard is on duty. If a death or injury occurs and it is proven that there were no warning signs, they are responsible for your injuries and/or death.

- Premises Liability

The owner of a property is liable for keeping their property in a safe condition to ensure anyone coming onto their property is safe from injury. Failure to maintain the premises or provide adequate security or lighting which results in injury or death makes them liable for damages. Most businesses and homeowners carry premises liability insurance. Your injuries may be severe requiring long-term treatment. The coverage may be insufficient to cover the medical expenses, lost wages, etc.

- Product Liability – Defective Items

We investigate to the fullest any type of manufacturing defect, to include insufficient warning signs on products. Whether it is a defective battery which explodes, design defects of equipment or any other type of product defect, we will work with industrial engineers, accident reconstruction professionals, and safety experts to allow us to present your claim in the most favorable light. We can assist you with cases involving: Defective car parts, structural components designed to improve crashworthiness in a motor vehicle accident; Safety equipment for your leisure activities; Household equipment to clothing; Tools and equipment; Recreational vehicles.

- Railroad Crossing Accidents

Each year accidents at railroad crossings are on the increase.
Many do not have warning signals, are poorly marked or maintained. Railroad companies are responsible for the maintenance of its signals, signs and markings. Failure to maintain these, can equate to disaster. Lives lost and permanent injuries may occur. If someone in your family was the victim of an accident at a rail crossing, our experience with the investigation of the factors that resulted in the accident can give you the advantage in proving liability against the defendant.

- General Aviation Accidents

We represent the injured survivors or surviving families of the victims of airplane crashes. Whether your spouse or family member was the pilot or a passenger in a private or commercial plane, we know how to investigate all the factors that might have led to your loss. Aviation experts are able to compile the facts, examine the scene, review the wreckage and reconstruct the events which may have occurred. Through this process we are able to determine and calculate the value of your loss or injury. Some areas that we investigate will include: Pilot training; Maintenance; Weather conditions; Radio communications.

- Bad Faith

Bad faith occurs if an insurance company has rejected your legitimate insurance claim or has delayed payment of your claim. When insurance companies fail to pay a claim without reason, it is considered to be acting in bad faith. If you have been wronged by an insurance company, we can provide the services to prove up your loss. We take all insurance bad faith lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay for us to handle your case unless we win.

- Workers Compensation

Injured workers in Oklahoma are entitled to workers' compensation to cover their lost income during periods of disability and the expenses of medical treatment and rehabilitation. We will also work with medical experts to make an accurate assessment of the nature, extent, and probable duration of your injuries, including: Head and brain injuries; Severe burns; Spinal injuries resulting in paralysis; Multiple fractures; Back injuries. While workers' compensation normally prohibits an employee's lawsuit for personal injury damages against his or her own employer, Oklahoma law recognizes a right to sue your own company for employer intentional torts.

- Criminal Law

We practice in all areas of criminal law in Municipal, State and Federal Courts, and have handled many cases such as: Traffic tickets, speeding, eluding, etc.; Domestic Abuse; Assault and Battery; Assault and Battery with a dangerous weapon; DUI (Driving under the influence – alcohol or drugs) and Aggravated DUI; DUS (Driving under suspension); Possession of Drugs and/or paraphernalia; Trafficking in Drugs (distribution); Manufacturing of Drugs; Robbery; Embezzlement; Negligent homicide; Manslaughter; 2nd degree Murder; 1st degree Murder; Felony murder; Death penalty cases.

Attorneys

	Mr. David Butler Attorney Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death		Ms. Chandra L. Holmes Ray Attorney Car Accident, Medical Malpractice, Premises Liability
	Mr. John P. Zelbst Attorney Car Accident, Litigation, Personal Injury

More Information on Zelbst, Holmes & Butler

Oklahoma City, OK Personal Injury Lawyers
Car Accident Attorneys in Lawton, Oklahoma
Lawton, Oklahoma Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Truck Accident Law Firm in Lawton, Oklahoma
Lawton, Oklahoma Wrongful Death Law Firm
Brain Injury Attorneys in Lawton, Oklahoma
Lawton, Oklahoma Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Dog Bite Injury Law Firm in Lawton, Oklahoma
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