Slips and falls can have devastating effects on victims. You may be unable to work, provide income for your family, or pay off your mounting medical bills. To make things worse, you may be receiving phone calls from insurance companies that keep demanding more information or a recorded statement.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you have rights. An experienced Oklahoma City slip-and-fall lawyer from Oklahoma Injury Law can help. Contact us today for a free case review.
Where Do Slips and Falls Occur in Oklahoma City?
Slips and falls can occur on private property, commercial establishments, or government buildings. Common sites for slips and falls include:
- Retail stores
- Shopping outlets or malls
- Bars and restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Big box stores
- Office buildings
- Businesses
- Parks and playgrounds
- Schools and daycares
- Medical facilities and hospitals
- Government buildings
- Houses, apartment complexes, and condos
An experienced Oklahoma City slip and fall attorney can review your case, determine the property owner’s responsibilities under the circumstances, and fight for fair compensation.
Common Causes of Slips and Falls in Oklahoma City
Slips and falls often occur because property owners have created hazardous conditions or allowed them to remain on the property without correcting them. As a result, people are injured due to factors such as:
- Wet and slippery floors
- Loose floorboards
- Cracked tile or pavement
- Cluttered walkways
- Broken or loose handrails
- Uneven surfaces
- Loose cables and wires
- Loose mats
- Lack of lighting
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their premises. If they fail to uphold this responsibility, they can be held liable for the damages you suffer as a result of their negligence.
Do You Have a Slip and Fall Claim?
To recover compensation for a slip and fall that occurs on someone else’s property, you must generally show the property owner or occupier was negligent. Negligence has four legal elements:
Duty of Care
The duty of care that an Oklahoma landowner owes a visitor depends on that visitor’s status, as follows:
- Invitees – Invitees are individuals who come onto the property at the owner’s request, such as a store customer or for the mutual advantage of the property owner and themselves. Property owners must maintain their premises in a safe condition for visitors, remove or repair dangerous conditions, and warn invitees about them.
- Licensees – Licensees are people who have a legal right to be on the property or were invited onto the property, such as social guests or meter readers. Property owners owe an ordinary duty of care to licensees and must warn licensees about known hazards that are not open and obvious.
- Trespassers – Trespassers have no legal right to be on the property. Oklahoma law states that property owners owe them no duty of care.
Breach of Duty
The breach of duty is what the property owner or occupier did wrong, such as failing to make repairs or warn visitors about hazardous conditions.
Causation
You must prove the property owner’s breach of duty is what actually caused the slip and fall.
Damages
Finally, you must show that you suffered damages from the accident, such as medical bills or lost income.
How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case
Proving negligence often hinges on showing that there was a dangerous condition on the property and the property owner did not take timely action to correct it. Evidence that can help show this information may include:
- Pictures of what caused the slip and fall
- Surveillance footage or cell phone footage of the accident
- A lack of warning signs
- Maintenance records
- Inspection reports
Our experienced attorneys can help gather the evidence necessary to prove your claim.
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
Slips and falls can cause various types of injuries. The type and severity will depend on various factors, including the height of the fall, what the victim fell on, the direction of the fall, and the victim’s pre-existing conditions. Common slip and fall injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Case?
If you were hurt due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for the injuries and losses you have experienced.
- Medical bills – You can have your medical bills paid, which may include ambulance rides, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, medicine, and other medical expenses.
- Ongoing medical expenses – Your injuries may require ongoing medical care, physical rehabilitation, and other medical treatment. You can also request compensation for future medical expenses.
- Lost wages – You have the right to recover compensation for the income you lost while receiving medical treatment or recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning potential – If your injuries left you permanently disabled or unable to return to the same job, you may be able to recover compensation for your long-term earning potential losses.
- Pain and suffering – You can recover compensation for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
- Reduced quality of life – You can request compensation for the negative impact that your injuries have had on your life.
After carefully reviewing your medical records and other evidence, an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury attorney can explain what damages you may be able to recover and the potential value of your case.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
The first thing you should do after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention. A medical professional can diagnose you and ensure you receive prompt medical treatment. Keep your medical records and other evidence you have of the accident and your injuries, including the accident report and any pictures you took at the time. Also, keep employment records that show you missed work and other evidence of your financial losses. Contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer who can guide you through the legal process.
Hurt in a Slip and Fall? Call Oklahoma Injury Law Today
If someone else’s negligence caused your slip and fall, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries and losses. An experienced Oklahoma City slip and fall attorney from Oklahoma Injury Law can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call us today at (405) 310-8800 for a free case review.