Michael Thelen is a personal injury attorney at Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys who began his career on the other side of injury claims, representing large insurance companies. Since joining Carr & Carr in 2021, he has used that experience to represent people hurt in crashes, on unsafe property, and by insurers that refuse to pay what a policy promises.
Want Michael to look at your claim? Call +1 (918) 747-1000 for a free consultation.
Why Does Michael Thelen's Insurance Background Matter?
Because he has seen how insurers value claims from the inside. Before joining Carr & Carr, Michael represented both individuals and large insurers, which means he knows what an adjuster looks for in a file and what tends to push an offer up or down.
That background shapes how a claim gets built. Adjusters often question gaps in medical treatment, a delay before the first doctor visit, or a statement the injured person gave on the phone. Knowing where those weak spots are makes it easier to explain them with records before an insurer uses them to cut an offer.
What Cases Does Michael Thelen Take?
Michael handles a wide range of personal injury and accident claims across Oklahoma. His work falls into four main groups.
Crashes and Motor Vehicle Collisions
Car, truck, motorcycle, rideshare, and drunk driving crashes make up a large share of his cases. He also represents pedestrians and bicyclists hit by drivers, whose injuries are often severe because they have no vehicle around them.
Premises Liability
When someone is hurt because a business or property owner ignored a hazard, such as a wet floor, broken stairs, or poor lighting, that person may have a premises liability claim. Michael handles slip and fall cases and other property injuries.
Dog Bites
Oklahoma holds dog owners responsible for many bites by statute, which can make these cases simpler to prove than other injury claims. Michael represents children and adults hurt in dog attacks.
Michael also handles cases involving burn injuries, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, child injuries, and defective products.
Education and Professional Involvement
Michael earned his law degree from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2016. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Financial Analysis from Creighton University in 2013, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
A finance degree is useful in cases where losses are hard to put a number on, such as lost earning capacity or a business owner's lost income.
He is active in the Tulsa legal community:
| Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| Tulsa County Bar Association | Board of Directors, 2023 to present |
| Tulsa County Bar Foundation | Board of Trustees |
| Oklahoma Bar Association | Member |
| Oklahoma Association for Justice | Member |
| American Association for Justice | Member |
How Does Michael Work With Clients?
In his words: "The best way to approach a case is with constant communication and full transparency with clients."
In an injury case, transparency often comes down to a few plain things. Clients should know what the insurer has asked for, what the medical records show, and how much of any offer would actually reach them after fees, costs, and medical liens. A client who understands those numbers can make a real decision about settling or going forward.
If an insurance company is stalling your claim, call +1 (918) 747-1000 or +1 (405) 691-1600 to talk with Carr & Carr for free.
Life Outside the Office
Michael was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, by parents who were both attorneys. Before coming to Oklahoma, he worked in Chicago in bankruptcy law and legal services consulting.
He and his wife, Renée, have a son, Clark. When he's not working, he's usually on a golf course, exploring somewhere new, or cheering on the Creighton Bluejays.
Questions About Michael Thelen and His Cases
Who is responsible when a dog bites someone in Oklahoma?
Under Oklahoma law, a dog owner can be held liable when the dog bites or injures someone without provocation, as long as the injured person was somewhere they had a legal right to be. The owner does not have to know the dog was dangerous beforehand. The details of the bite and where it happened still matter.
Does Michael Thelen handle bicycle and pedestrian cases?
Yes. Michael represents bicyclists and pedestrians hit by drivers. These cases often involve serious injuries and questions about who had the right of way, so early evidence like traffic camera footage and witness names can make a difference.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you were hurt, or your insurer won't pay a claim it should, Michael and the Carr & Carr team can review what happened at no cost. Schedule a consultation with Michael or call +1 (918) 747-1000. There is no fee unless we recover money for you.