Oklahoma Slip & Fall FAQs : Oklahoma Personal Injury Lawyers

Oklahoma Slip & Fall FAQs

Who can be held liable in a slip and fall case?

In slip and fall cases, there are often a number of people or entities that may be held responsible for someone's injuries. For example, if a business rents space from a property owner, both the property owner and the business (tenant) may be liable. In this case, the business is known as a possessor of the property, and must use reasonable care to prevent injury to those on the premises under their control. A possessor could also be a management company who manages or maintains the property.

Can someone receive compensation
from a store where he or she was injured?

The specific facts of each case will determine whether a slip and fall victim can recover damages from a store. Stores have a duty to keep their floors reasonably safe for customers, while employees should routinely inspect areas that the public might access. If a slick substance on the floor causes a fall, and the victim can show that the substance had been there for a long period of time he or she may be able to recover damages.

Is it important that someone warned an employee of a storeabout a spill
in proving a slip and fall case resulted from an accident caused by the spill?

Yes. The fact that an employee of the store was given notice of the dangerous condition is very helpful in establishing that the owner or possessor knew of the dangerous condition, and was negligent in failing to fix it.

If someone falls on a broken piece of a city sidewalk and is injured,
can they sue the city?

In many states, statutes prohibit recovery from local governmental entities in many kinds of cases. However, if there is not such a statute or ordinance in place someone may have a case against the city. Municipalities have a duty to keep streets and sidewalks in repair at all times. An injured person may have a successful case against the city if he or she can show that it failed to maintain the sidewalk or street properly. There may be important deadlines and requirements for giving municipalities notice of such claims, making it important to contact a qualified Oklahoma personal injury attorney.

What if someone gets injured while at the home of a neighbor?

Social guests are sometimes able to recover from their hosts, depending on how their injuries happened. Homeowners have a duty to tell their guests about any dangerous conditions that they are unlikely to recognize. For example, if an injury was caused when a guest tripped on a rug, he or she may be able to recover if he/she could prove that the host knew that it was a danger. The host should have, removed it before the party, warned guests about it, or secured it to the floor.

What duties do property owners have in removal of snow and ice?

Generally, the law does not require a property owner to remove snow or ice that accumulates outside their building as the result of weather conditions. However, if conditions on the property cause an unusual amount accumulation of snow or ice, the property owner may be liable for slip and fall accidents.

Can a building owner's violation of a building code
ever be used to help a victim win a slip and fall case?

Yes. Occasionally a plaintiff can prove negligence by showing that a property owner violated building codes. A building owner must make certain that his or her building's structure is in compliance with all applicable building codes. For example, building codes regularly state when and where handrails and other similar features must be installed. If you fall on a stairway that lacked the appropriate handrails you may have a valid claim against the building owner based on his or her building code violation.

We can handle your potential legal case if you are in any of these Oklahoma cities. Even if your city is not listed you may still speak with one of our Oklahoma personal injury attorneys by filling out our contact form or calling us toll-free at 1 (866) 664-0400.

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