Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall incidents are a leading cause of injury throughout the United States, and are particularly dangerous for elderly persons, although a person of any age may be severely harmed in a slip and fall accident.
While some slip and falls may happen as a result of inattention or pure clumsiness, most slip and falls occur due to dangerous properties and conditions. If you have been harmed in a slip and fall incident, our Oklahoma City slip and fall accident lawyers are ready to take on your case today.
Top Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall can occur on any property type, ranging from a public park to a private business to a residential yard and more. Just as slip and falls can happen on many different property types, they can also be caused by a number of different dangerous property conditions. Some of the top causes of slip and fall incidents in Oklahoma City include:
- Defective walking surfaces. Defects in a walking surface, such as holes, torn carpet, cracks, and unevenness can all increase the risk of a slip and fall incident.
- Ice and snow. When temperatures drop and ice and snow accumulate, walking surfaces may be slippery, leading to a slip and fall.
- Lack of hand railings. It is important that hand railings exist in precarious walking areas, such as around stairs. If hand railings are non-existent or are broken, falls are more likely.
- Broken elevators and escalators. Elevators and escalators can both be convenient ways to move from one area of a building to another, but they can also be dangerous when defective or improperly maintained.
- Spills. Spills of food, liquids, and various other substances and materials can make a walking area slippery.
In general, most slip and fall accidents are preventable, and would not occur but for an unsafe condition that should have been remedied.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Some slip and fall incidents are minor and significant – most people have slipped or tripped at some point and gotten away with nothing more than some stiffness or bruising. However, slip and falls have the potential to be very serious. If the person falls hard enough, the force of the fall could cause a concussion (traumatic brain injury), bone fracture, soft tissue injury, internal injury, or even a spinal cord injury. Injuries may lead to temporary or permanent disability, require medical care, force the person to miss work, and result in a diminished quality of life and future opportunities.
Liability for a Slip and Fall Incident
Liability for a slip and fall incident is based on where the incident occurred and why the incident occurred. In Oklahoma, all property owners owe a duty of care to those who enter their property legally. This duty of care is to ensure that no hazardous conditions exist on a property, and that if they do exist, they are remedied within a reasonable amount of time. This duty does not pertain to trespassers; the only duty that a property owner has to a trespasser is to abstain from willful or wanton harm (Oklahoma Statutes Section 76-80).
If a property owner breaches their duty of care to a person on the property, and an injury occurs as a result, the property owner may be held liable for this. For example, if a person slips and falls in a grocery store due to a spill, and the grocery store employees knew of the spill but failed to clean it up or post warning within a reasonable amount of time, the grocery store may be liable for the injured party’s harm.
Seeking Representation after a Slip and Fall Accident
Slipping and falling on someone else’s property can be scary, especially if your injuries are serious. If you believe that your slip and fall would not have occurred but for a dangerous condition on the property, our lawyers may be able to help you bring forth a civil action and recover compensation for the full value of your damages. When another party’s negligence causes you harm, you maintain the option to seek damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and all other economic and noneconomic damages.
At the Owens Law Office, PC, our aggressive Oklahoma City slip and fall lawyers are prepared to advocate for you, and help you recover the full amount of damages that you have suffered. We have the legal skill set and experience you want when hiring a personal injury attorney, and are passionate about representing our clients.
To schedule a free consultation with the Owens Law Office, PC today, please call us or send us a message. We will review your case and provide you with sound legal advice.