Slipping or tripping and falling is always unpleasant and painful. Sometimes, the injuries can be severe and have lasting negative consequences for you and your loved ones. When accidents happen because of the carelessness of a public, private, or commercial property owner, there could be cause for a civil lawsuit.
While not every fall is the fault of the person responsible for the property, the court will hold them financially accountable when there is a dangerous condition on the property. Call a Lawton slip and fall lawyer at AMA Law if you need help with a case. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can review the circumstances that lead to your injury and collect the evidence necessary to file a legal claim seeking comprehensive compensation for your injuries.
Lawsuits resulting from slips and falls causing severe bodily harm are within an area of law called premises liability. To prove fault, a lawsuit must show that the landowner knew or should have known of the dangerous condition. The evidence must also establish the type of visitor the party was and that the defendant (i.e., the negligent property owner) invited them to the premises. Accidents that typically lead to slip and fall cases include:
Our well-practiced Lawton slip and fall attorneys can answer any questions you have about the legal process during a free initial meeting.
Establishing the type of visitor an injured party was when the accident occurred, and the elements of liability are crucial components of winning an award for damages.
Invitees are the first group of visitors to the property, and landowners owe them the highest responsibility to keep the premises safe. An example of an invitee is a customer entering a store to shop.
The second group is the licensees, and the property owner must warn them of hazards that could cause them harm. Licensees are friends and people who enter for social purposes.
A slip and fall case must show that the property’s owner, manager, or possessor owed a duty of care to the injured party and knew or should have known of the hazard, putting them at risk of harm. Property owners must maintain the property and do regular inspections to locate and repair defects to keep the premises safe.
While anyone can sustain severe injuries from slipping and falling, seniors are particularly at risk. According to studies conducted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, falls are the most significant cause of severe and fatal injuries for residents over 65 years old in the state. Not only are they at higher risk of catastrophic injuries, but they also have the potential to lose their independence. Some of the common serious injuries people sustain in falls include:
A dedicated slip and fall lawyer from our firm in Lawton will investigate to find the cause and evidence needed to establish liability in your case.
You could be eligible for compensation if you suffered injuries falling on someone else’s property because of a hazardous condition. Personal injury laws allow you to pursue damages from the responsible party.
However, the legal process can be challenging, and many elements are needed to win your case. A Lawton slip-and-fall lawyer at AMA Law cares for their clients and will fight for you inside and outside the courtroom to get the justice you deserve. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation with one of our compassionate injury attorneys.