Curtis “Muskrat” Bruehl

Oklahoma Mass Tort & Federal Indian Law Attorney

Curtis Bruehl is an Oklahoma City attorney concentrating in Mass Tort litigation, Federal Indian Law, and complex catastrophic personal injury cases. Since 2002, he has represented individuals, tribal nations, municipalities, and government entities in high-stakes litigation involving defective pharmaceuticals, dangerous medical devices, toxic exposure, and large-scale public harm.

He is widely recognized for pioneering tribal pharmaceutical litigation and for representing Native American tribes in nationally significant cases, including opioid litigation and defective drug claims.

Mass Tort Litigation in Oklahoma & Nationwide

Mass tort cases arise when numerous individuals or government entities are harmed by the same product, company, or wrongful conduct. These cases commonly involve:

• Defective drugs
• Dangerous medical devices
• Opioid litigation
• Toxic exposure claims
• Large-scale catastrophic events

Many mass tort cases are consolidated in federal court through Multi-District Litigation (MDL) proceedings. Unlike class actions, each plaintiff maintains an individual claim and must prove their specific injuries and damages. This structure allows injured parties to pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term disability
• Future medical care

Curtis represents both individual plaintiffs and tribal or governmental entities seeking recovery for large-scale economic and public health harm.

Federal Indian Law & Tribal Litigation

Curtis has extensive experience in Federal Indian Law, representing tribal governments in litigation involving sovereignty, treaty rights, jurisdiction, healthcare funding, and economic development.

Tribal nations are sovereign governments with authority to govern themselves. Federal Indian law frequently involves complex jurisdictional questions regarding whether tribal, federal, or state courts have authority over a dispute. Curtis handles matters involving:

• Tribal sovereignty and treaty enforcement
• Jurisdictional disputes
• Healthcare and pharmaceutical litigation impacting tribes
• Economic development and land use issues
• Tribal recovery in national mass tort cases

He was the first attorney in the United States to successfully bring a defective pharmaceutical claim on behalf of a Native American tribe—litigation that paved the way for nationwide tribal opioid recovery efforts.

Opioid & Pharmaceutical Litigation

Curtis has represented tribal and governmental entities harmed by the opioid epidemic. These cases sought recovery from pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, and marketers that aggressively promoted opioid medications while minimizing known risks.

The litigation resulted in the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars for tribal nations—funds used to combat addiction, expand healthcare services, and strengthen tribal communities across Indian Country.

He also worked on major pharmaceutical litigations involving diabetes medications such as Avandia and Actos, where manufacturers failed to adequately warn of serious side effects. Because Native Americans face disproportionately high rates of diabetes, tribal governments incurred substantial costs treating both the condition and its undisclosed complications. Curtis helped secure multi-million-dollar recoveries that strengthened tribal healthcare systems.

Catastrophic Personal Injury & Trial Litigation

In addition to large-scale litigation, Curtis handles complex catastrophic injury cases involving severe and life-altering harm.

He prepares every case as if it will proceed to trial. From day one, he builds a strategic litigation framework—retaining experts, preserving evidence, and anticipating defense strategies. His early career in insurance defense provides unique insight into how insurers attempt to minimize payouts. He uses that experience to aggressively pursue full and fair compensation for his clients.

Curtis has first-chaired numerous jury trials to successful verdicts and is admitted to practice before:

• Oklahoma state courts
• All three U.S. District Courts in Oklahoma
• The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
• The United States Supreme Court
• Multiple Tribal Courts

Notable Achievement in Tribal Pharmaceutical Litigation

Curtis was the first attorney in the country to successfully sue a pharmaceutical company on behalf of a Native American tribe for defective drug damages. That groundbreaking case established precedent and laid the foundation for future tribal litigation against pharmaceutical manufacturers, including opioid-related claims.

The resulting nationwide tribal recoveries have funded addiction treatment programs, healthcare expansion, and long-term recovery initiatives throughout Indian Country.

Community Involvement

Curtis previously served as a Guardian Ad Litem with Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, representing children alleged deprived by the State of Oklahoma. In that role, he conducted independent investigations and provided recommendations to the court regarding placement decisions and treatment plan completion.

He has also served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer, advocating for the best interests of children involved in the court system and ensuring their voices were heard during critical legal proceedings.