Tim Gilpin has represented Oklahoma policyholders and injury victims for more than four decades. He has built a record that includes a $6 million recovery in a rideshare collision case, along with settlements of $1.7 million, $1.21 million, $1 million, and $250,000 in other vehicle-related claims. These outcomes, along with dozens of additional client settlements and case results, demonstrate the firm’s ability to hold insurance companies accountable when they fail to honor their obligations.
Tim belongs to the American Association for Justice and the American Trial Attorneys Association, and he participates in the Inns of Court program, which pairs experienced litigators with newer attorneys and judges. He also belongs to the Oklahoma Bar Association and holds a Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating. Clients describe him as a skilled negotiator who communicates clearly and stays involved throughout a difficult claim. Gilpin Law Office never charges a fee unless it wins money for the client.
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Oklahoma recognizes insurance bad faith as an independent tort, not merely a breach of contract. The Oklahoma Supreme Court established this rule in Christian v. American Home Assurance Co., 1977 OK 141, 577 P.2d 899, holding that every insurance policy carries an implied duty of good faith and fair dealing. When an insurer breaches that duty by unreasonably denying, delaying, or underpaying a claim, the policyholder may pursue damages beyond the policy limits, including compensation for financial losses, emotional distress, and, in serious cases, punitive damages.
The Oklahoma Legislature reinforced this framework through 23 O.S. § 9.1, which permits a jury to award punitive damages when clear and convincing evidence shows that an insurer acted with reckless disregard for the policyholder’s rights. A policyholder generally has two years from the date the bad-faith conduct occurred, or from the date it was reasonably discovered, to file a lawsuit.
A successful Oklahoma bad-faith insurance lawyer pursues more than the amount originally owed under the policy. Compensation in a bad-faith case typically includes the following categories:
Because every policy and claims file differs, the value of a bad-faith claim depends on the specific facts involved. An experienced attorney reviews the insurer’s internal file and communications to build a complete picture of the misconduct before demanding a fair resolution.
Gilpin Law Office represents every bad-faith and injury client on a contingency fee basis. The client pays no upfront retainer and owes no attorney fee unless the firm recovers compensation. This arrangement allows Oklahoma policyholders to challenge a large insurance company without bearing the financial risk of hourly legal fees.
Gilpin Law Office is located in the Midway Building at 2727 East 21st Street, Suite 504, Tulsa, Oklahoma, a short drive from the Tulsa County Courthouse, where many bad-faith lawsuits against insurers are filed. The firm represents policyholders throughout Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Sand Springs, Jenks, Bixby, and the surrounding communities of northeastern Oklahoma.
Tulsa’s severe weather pattern contributes directly to local bad-faith disputes. Hail storms and tornadoes regularly damage roofs, vehicles, and personal property, and insurers sometimes undervalue or delay claims during periods of high storm volume. According to the Oklahoma Insurance Department, the agency’s Consumer Assistance division fielded 2,784 complaints and recovered more than $8.2 million for Oklahoma consumers in a recent year.
The most frequent patterns Gilpin Law Office encounters include the following:
Bad faith frequently surfaces after a serious accident. A policyholder who files an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim following a Tulsa car accident may find that the insurer disputes the severity of the injury or delays payment for months. Bad faith also appears in homeowner’s claims after storm damage, in life insurance claims following a policyholder’s death, and in disability claims where an insurer terminates benefits without adequate medical justification. Anyone pursuing an Oklahoma personal injury lawsuit should understand that a separate bad-faith claim may exist against the insurer even after the underlying injury claim settles.
For additional detail on how Oklahoma law treats a delayed or denied claim, read the firm’s discussion of when an insurer delays or denies a personal injury claim in Oklahoma.
Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurer unreasonably denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim; fails to investigate fairly; or otherwise breaches its duty of good faith toward the policyholder.
A policyholder generally has two years from the date the bad-faith conduct occurred, or from the date it was reasonably discovered, to file suit against the insurer.
Yes. Oklahoma law permits punitive damages when clear and convincing evidence shows the insurer acted with reckless disregard for the policyholder’s rights.
Yes. The duty of good faith applies to auto, homeowners, life, health, and disability policies, along with any other first-party or third-party insurance contract.
Gilpin Law Office charges no upfront fee. The firm collects a fee only after it recovers compensation for the client.
An insurance company that denies, delays, or underpays a valid claim should not have the final word. The Oklahoma bad-faith insurance lawyer at Gilpin Law Office has spent more than 40 years holding Oklahoma insurers accountable. Our experienced legal team is here for you. Call us at 918-583-8900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, we serve clients in the surrounding areas.
