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You should have a reasonable expectation that you will be safe when you visit someone else’s property. Unfortunately, due to a property owner’s insufficient maintenance, poor signage, and other forms of negligence, you can suffer severe injury. The property owner should be held accountable.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Tulsa, Oklahoma, no one has to tell you about the serious consequences that this kind of accident can exact on your health and well-being. You may face escalating medical bills and lost wages, which can make it challenging to make ends meet. You may also suffer a great deal of physical pain and emotional distress. At Edwards & Patterson Law, we care about you, and we will fight for your future.
Our Tulsa slip and fall injury attorneys have years of experience helping slip-and-fall accident victims in and throughout Oklahoma pursue just compensation. Contact us today to discuss how we can assist you. We will explain your rights and review all of our legal options in a free consultation.
What Are Examples of Common Slip and Fall Accidents in Tulsa?
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, slip and falls account for over 1 million emergency room visits in the U.S. each year. Slip and fall accidents are also the primary cause of missed work days. These accidents are so common because many different things can cause them, most of which come down to the carelessness of others.
Some of the most common examples of slip and fall accidents in Tulsa are ones resulting from:
- Spills or wet flooring
- Torn carpets or rugs
- Uneven walkways
- Cracks in sidewalks
- Loose floorboards
- Exposed wires or loose cords
- Cluttered walking paths or store aisles
- Unmarked stairs or steps
- Loose stairs
- Loose or missing handrails on stairs
- Unmarked hazards
- Poor lighting conditions
- Ice or slippery walkways
This list is not exhaustive, and there are numerous potential slip and fall causes. If you believe the negligent actions of a landlord, property owner, or another individual caused your accident, talk to our skilled Tulsa slip and fall attorneys about your legal options.
What Injuries Happen Most Often in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents can cause injuries ranging from relatively minor bumps and bruises to much more severe injuries. For instance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists falls as the primary cause of traumatic brain injury in the United States. One slip and fall accident can be enough to cause devastating and life-altering injuries.
Injuries that occur most often in slip and fall accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones, especially wrists, knees, legs, ankles, and hips
- Neck injuries
- Spine injuries
- Dislocations
- Facial and dental injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Abrasions
- Contusions
- Lacerations
A significant slip and fall accident can also trigger mental health concerns in some individuals. The pain, financial instability, and quality of life changes caused by a fall can lead to psychological effects like depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Feeling self-conscious after a slip and fall accident is common, but don’t try to pick yourself up and pretend that nothing happened. Even if you feel fine in the moments after a slip and fall, the rush of adrenaline you get after an intense experience can mask some of the initial signs of injury. Take proactive steps to protect yourself and have the evidence to mount a solid compensation claim to cover your slip and fall injuries.
Insurance companies are looking for ways to protect their profits, which means not always paying you the money you deserve. After a Tulsa slip and fall incident, consider taking the following steps:
- Report the accident – Always report the fall to the property owner or another authority figure, such as a supervisor or manager. In most cases, they will ask you to complete an accident report. Take your time and be as detailed and accurate as possible. Ask for a copy of the report for your records. Do not admit fault or apologize. Keep your account simple and factual.
- Document the scene – When possible, document the scene of the accident. Take photographs or videos of the dangerous conditions and your surroundings. If witnesses see you fall, ask for their contact information and a brief description of what they observed.
- Seek medical attention – Even if you feel fine, get medical care as soon as possible. Some significant injuries take time to show symptoms. You also want professional medical documentation of your injuries to help bolster your claim.
- Contact an attorney – Managing a slip and fall claim when injured can be challenging. Give yourself time to heal and turn your case over to an experienced legal team. They can help manage communication between you and the insurance company and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
- Preserve your clothes and shoes – The clothing and shoes you wore during the accident may be valuable evidence. Save this evidence and keep all items intact and safe in a plastic bag or other airtight container.
- Keep a paper trail – Calculating the value of a slip and fall claim can be difficult without detailed records of your expenses. Keep important documents like medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and other accident-related costs and share them with your attorney.
- Avoid social media – Never post about the accident on social media platforms. Aggressive insurers and opposing attorneys can try to take even the most harmless statements and turn them against you. Avoid being active on social media until after your attorney resolves your claim.
Is the Property Owner Liable for My Injuries?
A property owner may be liable for your slip and fall injuries, depending on the circumstances. One or more parties may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and financial losses if their actions or inactions caused the accident that hurt you.
Slip and fall accidents typically fall under the umbrella of premises liability claims. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their properties are reasonably safe for guests, visitors, and patrons. Property owners may be held liable when they fail to address safety concerns and a person is injured. However, other parties can also be responsible for dangerous conditions and may bear whole or partial liability for a slip and fall accident. Liable parties can include:
- Property owners
- Landlords
- Building managers
- Government entities or municipalities
Involving an experienced Tulsa slip and fall attorney as soon as possible is vital. A lawyer can evaluate your situation and help identify all potentially liable parties to pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Might I Be Able to Receive from My Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
Every Tulsa slip and fall claim is unique. The value of a slip and fall claim depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries and the cause of the accident. Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurer or anyone else, talk to a knowledgeable attorney about your situation. Insurers want to settle for as little as possible and may pressure you into accepting far too little for your injuries and convince you to sign away your legal rights.
Although the overall value of a slip and fall claim varies, you typically might pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
A slip and fall accident can transform your life in seconds. Let a Tulsa attorney help you seek the money you need to cover your injuries and financial losses.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Slip and Fall Accident in Tulsa?
To have a successful premises liability claim involving a slip and fall in Tulsa, you must prove negligence on the part of the owner of the premises. This includes showing that:
- The hazardous obstacle or condition had been in place for a long enough period of time that the owner, a manager, or an employee should have noticed it and addressed it.
- Routine maintenance was required and not performed, or there was no routine maintenance or inspection schedule in place when there should have been.
- The area was poorly lit or there was limited visibility to avoid potential hazards.
- There was no justifiable reason for the hazard to be there.
- The property owner or manager could have made the hazardous condition less dangerous by placing a warning sign or closing off the area but failed to do so.
Factors that are relevant to the safety of a property can include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Wet or slippery surfaces
- Weather conditions
- Broken stairways or uneven flooring surfaces
- Loose or missing safety rails
- Unmarked dangerous areas.
All of these factors could establish that a property owner failed to adequately protect you from harm. In defense, a property owner may try to pin partial or full blame on you, claiming that your own negligence contributed to your injuries. As you move ahead with a slip and fall accident claim, you should be prepared for these allegations, however unsubstantiated they may be, and be ready to show that you did not contribute to the accident through negligence of your own. An expert Tulsa slip and fall lawyer can help you prove negligence and win your claim.
What Is The Time Limit for Filing Slip and Fall Injury Lawsuit in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma statute of limitations for a personal injury lawsuit, such as a slip and fall, is two years. Two years may seem like a long time, but you need to act quickly. Evidence of your injury can “fade” as time passes. Additionally, proper research needs to be done for your cases. So, do not delay in contacting Edwards & Patterson Law about your claim. Should your lawsuit not be filed before that two years expire, you will lose your opportunity to have your claim heard in court.
Our Tulsa Slip and Fall Attorneys Can Help You
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in Tulsa, OK, or anywhere in Oklahoma, and you have questions about pursuing a premises liability claim, the knowledgeable and experienced attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law are here to help. We care about you, and we will fight for you until the very end.
We don’t just care about winning your slip and fall injury claim. Our Tulsa slip and fall attorneys also care about your future. We want to make sure that you receive all the medical treatment you need, and we will aggressively pursue the compensation that you deserve.
We want you to move on from this tragedy and live a healthy and happy life. To learn more about how we can assist you, contact our legal team today. A Tulsa slip and fall lawyer can provide a free consultation through our office, conveniently located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
