Polchinski & Smith in Oklahoma City: Personal Injury Law on Contingency

Polchinski & Smith is a personal injury law firm representing clients in Oklahoma City who have sustained injuries from vehicle collisions, workplace accidents, product defects, and negligence. The firm operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients pay nothing unless the case settles or goes to trial and results in a judgment in their favor. The partnership handles cases across central Oklahoma and accepts new consultations without charge.

What Polchinski & Smith does

The firm focuses on claims arising from motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, workplace injuries, and premises liability. This scope covers both individual injuries and property damage claims tied to negligence. Polchinski & Smith does not handle workers' compensation cases exclusively through the firm; instead, they manage third-party liability claims that may arise from workplace incidents (where a non-employer party bears responsibility). The firm is not a workers' compensation carrier or adjuster; they represent injured individuals against liable third parties.

Personal injury litigation in Oklahoma involves state court rules and statutes of limitations that vary by injury type. For bodily injury from negligence, Oklahoma allows claims to proceed up to two years from the date of injury; product liability and some premises liability claims may have different deadlines depending on discovery and notice. Polchinski & Smith manages the claim timeline and ensures filings stay within legal windows.

Fee structure and contingency model

Polchinski & Smith operates on a contingency-fee agreement. The client retains the firm at no upfront cost; the attorney's fee is drawn from any settlement or court judgment as a percentage of the recovery. In Oklahoma, contingency fees in personal injury cases are typically between 33 and 40 percent of net recovery, depending on whether the case settles before trial or requires courtroom litigation. If the claim does not result in a recovery, the client owes no attorney fees, though some costs (court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition transcripts) may be discussed separately as case expenses.

This model suits clients who have been injured and cannot afford to pay hourly rates while pursuing a claim. The attorney's financial incentive aligns with achieving the largest possible settlement or judgment. Clients should clarify with Polchinski & Smith whether they charge a flat percentage across settlement and trial phases or whether fees increase for cases that proceed beyond settlement negotiations.

How Polchinski & Smith compares to other Oklahoma City personal injury options

Oklahoma City has several personal injury practices: larger defense-focused firms (which typically represent insurers and defendants, not injured plaintiffs), sole-practitioner attorneys, and mid-sized contingency firms. Polchinski & Smith, as a partnership, represents the middle of that spectrum: enough size to cover case costs and expert witnesses, but small enough that clients work with named attorneys rather than junior associates.

Larger national firms operating in Oklahoma City may advertise heavier marketing presence but often assign cases to less experienced staff. Solo practitioners may charge lower percentages but may lack resources to pursue complex liability disputes or cases requiring expert testimony. Polchinski & Smith's partnership model trades brand recognition for continuity and direct attorney involvement.

Choose Polchinski & Smith if you want a mid-sized firm with local roots and personal injury as a core practice. Choose a larger regional firm if your case involves multiple states or federal jurisdiction. Avoid single-attorney shops if your injury involves substantial medical costs or significant liability complexity.

Who should and should not work with Polchinski & Smith

The firm suits clients who have clear liability or strong negligence claims: struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk, injured by a defective product, or hurt on someone else's property due to poor maintenance. The contingency model works best when damages are quantifiable through medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care costs.

Polchinski & Smith is less suitable for claims where liability is genuinely unclear, where the injured party bears shared responsibility (comparative negligence), or where damages are primarily emotional rather than economic. Oklahoma follows a comparative negligence standard; if a plaintiff is found 49 percent or less at fault, recovery is reduced by that percentage. If your role in the incident is substantial, the firm may decline the case or require discussion of realistic outcomes.

First visit and initial consultation

The initial consultation with Polchinski & Smith is free and typically requires the client to bring documentation: police or incident reports, medical records, photographic evidence, and any correspondence with insurance companies. The attorney will assess liability (whether the defendant owed a duty of care and breached it), damages (medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering), and insurance coverage on the defendant's side.

This conversation determines whether Polchinski & Smith will take the case and what timeline to expect. Most personal injury cases in Oklahoma take six months to two years from filing to resolution, depending on whether the defendant's insurance company is motivated to settle and whether expert testimony or trial becomes necessary. The firm will explain what happens if the case does not settle and proceeds to court.

Hours, location, and logistics

Polchinski & Smith maintains a physical office in Oklahoma City where consultations occur in person. Office hours and exact address should be confirmed directly with the firm, as these details change with business operations. Many personal injury consultations can also be scheduled outside standard business hours to accommodate clients who are recovering from injuries or managing medical appointments.

The firm handles all court filings in Oklahoma County District Court and state appellate courts where necessary. Clients do not need to attend every proceeding, though testimony at trial is required.

Polchinski & Smith earned its place in Oklahoma City legal services by managing high-volume case flow on contingency, ensuring that injured residents can pursue claims without upfront legal costs and without shouldering the risk of losing a case.