Oklahoma Lawmakers Push to Limit Injury Compensation

The Oklahoma Legislature is advancing a series of bills to cap non-economic damages in personal injury cases at $500,000. If passed, these laws would restrict compensation for victims suffering from pain and suffering, loss of limbs, sight, mobility, and other life-altering injuries.

Currently, juries decide these damages based on the impact of an injury. These bills remove that discretion, limiting financial recovery regardless of circumstances. Critics argue this protects corporations at the expense of victims, shifting long-term care costs onto families. Similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges for restricting victims’ rights.

As of March 21, SB 1065 has passed committee and is moving quickly. A public hearing is expected on Monday, March 24, followed by a chamber vote deadline on March 27. The public will have very little time to respond before this bill becomes law.

If you oppose this bill, contact your legislators now and make your voice heard.

For more information, contact Smolen Law at (918) 777-4LAW or visit www.smolen.law.

What You Can Do

Your voice matters now more than ever. Make a call. Send an email. Ask your friends and neighbors to do the same. These laws don’t just impact victims — they put the financial burden on taxpayers and take away power from everyday Oklahomans.

Oklahoma lawmakers aren’t just introducing one bill — they’ve launched a coordinated push to limit access to justice through three separate but related bills:

 SB 1065 (Sen. Brent Howard)

Would cap non-economic damages at $500,000 — including pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of life.
Co-Author: Rep. Mark Lepak
 Brent Howard: (405) 521-5612 |  brent.howard@oksenate.gov
 Mark Lepak: (405) 557-7380 |  mark.lepak@okhouse.gov

HB 2682 (Rep. Kyle Hilbert)

Labeled the Torts Reform Act of 2025, but currently a shell bill — meaning lawmakers can insert broad tort law changes at any time.
 Kyle Hilbert: (405) 557-7333 |  kyle.hilbert@okhouse.gov

HB 2681 (Also Rep. Hilbert)

Changes product liability standards — making it harder for Oklahomans to sue companies for defective or dangerous products.

Why it matters: These bills work together to limit jury power, protect corporations, and shift the cost of care to taxpayers and families.

Other Key Dates 

• March 24, 2025: Expected hearing on SB 1065
• March 27, 2025: Last day to pass full chamber (House or Senate)
• April 24, 2025: Deadline for the opposite chamber committee
• May 30, 2025: Final day of the legislative session

 Legislator Contact Info 

Want to help? Start by contacting those pushing the bills forward:

• Sen. Brent Howard (Author of SB 1065):
   brent.howard@oksenate.gov |  (405) 521-5612

• Rep. Mark Lepak (House Coauthor of SB 1065):
   mark.lepak@okhouse.gov |  (405) 557-7380

• Rep. Kyle Hilbert (Author of HB 2682 & HB 2681):
   kyle.hilbert@okhouse.gov |  (405) 557-7333

You can also:

• Call the House main line at (405) 521-2711
• Call the Senate main line at (405) 524-0126
• Email general inquiries to: webmaster@oksenate.gov

$500K for any Oklahoma legislator willing to amputate a limb or spend a year in a wheelchair.

If it’s good enough for Oklahomans, it should be good enough for you.

WATCH NOW

Tort Reform Articles & Updates

• Smolen Law Warns of Coordinated Attack on Victims’ Rights Ahead of Critical March 24 Hearing – Smolen Law is calling urgent attention to three coordinated bills moving through the Oklahoma Legislature that could drastically undermine the rights of injured Oklahomans. These proposals — SB 1065, HB 2682, and HB 2681 — represent a sweeping attempt to limit civil justice, protect powerful interests, and silence victims.

• Oklahoma Legislature Moves to Cap Damages for the Injured – The Oklahoma Legislature, backed by the State Chamber of Commerce, is advancing tort reform measures that would shield negligent corporations while leaving victims of catastrophic medical malpractice without adequate recourse. Under these proposals, Oklahomans who suffer life-altering injuries due to negligence could be limited to just $500,000 in non-economic damages—regardless of the severity of their suffering.​