SKIP TO CONTENTDid you know that if you sustain an injury on someone else’s land, the owner of the property may be liable for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages that result from the accident? To find out what your case could be worth, contact Attorney Bryan Garrett today.
What Is a Trip and Fall Accident?
You might have also seen the phrase “slip and fall,” which means essentially the same thing. A trip and fall accident happens when someone trips over an object or an uneven surface.
Though the terms might seem self-explanatory, you might be surprised to discover just how hazardous a property can be. In addition to the obvious potential dangers like a wet floor or a giant crack on a sidewalk, other common causes include:
– A poorly lit area that results in you not being able to navigate a path
– Clutter or objects on the floor or in a walkway
– Damaged stairs, missing or broken handrails, or uneven flooring
– Icy walkways
When one of these hazards crosses your path, and you fall, you might escape the incident with nothing more than a bruised ego, but other times, the injuries can be severe, or even life-threatening. The most common injuries we see in our practice from trip and fall accidents are:
– Cuts and bruises
– Broken bones, including limbs or hips
– Back injuries, including herniated disks
– Knee injuries
– Head trauma and skull fractures
– Wrongful death
Responsibilities of Property Owners
Whether someone owns or possesses a home, apartment complex, or commercial property, they have a responsibility to maintain it so that it is reasonably safe for visitors. After all, you shouldn’t have to compromise your safety to visit a friend, buy groceries, or use a restroom in a hotel lobby.
While a property owner doesn’t have to roll out the red carpet every time someone enters the front door, there are minimum standards that a property owner must meet to avoid liability:
– The owner must warn and make safe any hidden dangers, including both natural and man-made.
– The owner also has a duty to regularly inspect their premises and make safe any discovered dangers.
There can sometimes be a gray area between what a property owner knew about or should have known about. Sometimes the argument can center around what the specific duties are depending on whether the person injured is a trespasser or authorized visitor. The standard in Oklahoma is that of a “reasonable person standard,” but that can still require legal interpretation.
Attorney Bryan Garrett will examine the facts of your case and help make these determinations.
Seeking Financial Compensation for Trip and Fall Incidents
The amount of financial compensation you can recover will depend on the extent of your injuries and the circumstances of the fall. You may be eligible for the following compensation:
– Reimbursement for medical bills, including ongoing and long-term care
– Lost wages and future lost earning capacity
– Pain and suffering
– Loss of consortium
– Wrongful death
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
The immediate steps you take after a trip and fall accident can potentially affect the outcome of your case, and your health. Bryan Garrett recommends you follow these tips:
- Seek medical attention immediately. If your injury is serious, don’t wait to seek medical attention. Not only can this harm your health, but waiting to see a doctor can actually hurt your case because the other side will try to argue that your injury wasn’t severe enough to warrant immediate medical attention.
- Report the accident. Contact the owner or manager of the home or establishment and inform them of your injuries. This ensures that there is a detailed account of the incident, and you’ve also documented everything while it was fresh in your mind.
- Gather evidence. Take pictures of where the accident happened and get statements from any available witnesses.
- Avoid posting the incident on social media. It can be tempting to post your battle wounds on social media, but sharing can also hurt your case. Anything you post on social media can be used as evidence, so if you downplay or exaggerate your injury, those inconsistencies can affect the compensation you can recover.
Why Choose Bryan Garrett for Your Trip and Fall Accident
When it comes time to seek financial compensation from the property owner’s insurance company, you want an experienced advocate on your side. With more than 15 years of experience in the field of personal injury, Bryan Garrett knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to seek favorable outcomes for his clients.
As a personal injury attorney, Bryan Garrett works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay anything until your case is settled. Contact us today for a consultation.