Homeowner insurance serves dual purposes. In one regard, it safeguards a homeowner’s possessions from losses. In another regard, homeowner insurance provides a liability safety net, covering potential accidents that may occur on the property. Property and business owners have a legal responsibility to ensure visitors’ safety while on their premises.
The term “premises liability” pertains to obligations held by property and business owners to maintain an environment that is free of potential risks and hazards that may cause harm. If you are legally visiting someone’s business or property and suffer an injury because of the owner’s negligence, you have every right to file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries.
Any experienced Oklahoma premises liability attorney would tell you not to hesitate in seeking counsel. Accidents on someone else’s premises are a common occurrence, and there is no need to suffer without recompense due to someone else’s negligence. Reach out to a premise liability lawyer in Oklahoma to help manage the difficulties of your case.
Types of Premises Liability
When it comes to the types of injuries associated with premises liability, the list can seem endless. Some of the most common accidents seen in premises liability cases include:
- Amusement park accidents
- Daycare incidents
- Dog bites
- Environments with dangerous conditions
- Environments without a lack of security
- Slips and falls
- Swimming pool and spa accidents
- Trampoline accidents
In many cases, people find themselves reluctant to file a premise liability lawsuit because they may name their neighbor or friend as negligent for the accident. This is what homeowner insurance is made to do—pay the medical expenses and other damages that resulted from the accident. In some instances, the only way to recover the needed compensation is a lawsuit. Especially when stubborn insurance companies refuse to pay.
Injury often occurs when maintenance is neglected or precautions are not taken for a lack of safety or inadequate security. When a property owner is aware of the problem and does not act to correct it, they should be held liable for their carelessness.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Premise Liability Accidents Happen
With a little awareness of the state of the property and diligent maintenance, a sizable percentage of the most common premises liability accidents can be prevented. Small measures can make an enormous difference in prevention. Many accidents can be avoided by actions like:
- Keeping walkways and floors level and free of obstructions or slippery substances
- Repairing damaged railings
- Properly securing and supervising swimming pools and trampolines
If an injury does occur on someone else’s residential or business property, it is important to:
- Seek medical attention promptly
- Document the details of the accident
- Contact an Oklahoma premise liability lawyer
If a premises liability attorney evaluates your case and establishes a connection between a property or business owner’s negligence and the injury, they can offer you legal representation and fight for your rights under Oklahoma state law as a victim. In the best circumstances, the negligent party will be made to compensate you for all the damage the injury caused.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents are usually the first type of incident that comes to mind when thinking of premises liability. The severity of slip and fall accidents can range from minor to fatal. They can result from a victim’s clumsiness, but typically, falls occur when the property is maintained improperly or poorly.
Fall injuries can include:
- Scrapes and bruises
- Broken bones
- More significant falls can result in:
- Head trauma
- Spinal injury
- Death
Negligence
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that most falls often result from the same culprit—negligent maintenance. These include:
- Wet floors from spills or mopping
- Slick walkways that are not taken care of during adverse weather conditions
- Broken or uneven sidewalks, floors, or stairs
- Obstacles and obstructions on the floor or in the walkway
- Unsecured rugs
- Broken railings
- Structures unable to support weight, like a deck collapse
- Wobbly or unstable surfaces
A trip and fall can be life-altering. The leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is falling injuries. Annually, falls account for more than 40% of all TBI. Significant head injuries make up almost a third of U.S. deaths yearly.
Other Dangers Seen in Premises Liability Cases
There are three other common injuries in premises liability cases. These three types of incidents often result in catastrophic injuries because of the level of risk. These include:
- Struck-by Accidents: Significant injuries or death can occur when objects fall and strike accident victims on the head or when an accident victim strikes their head against something. Often seen on construction sites when hardhats are not enough protection.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Residential swimming pools, public pools, and water parks can be dangerous. More than 350 American children drown each year, and an estimated 1,500 serious injuries are sustained from near-drowning cases.
- Dangerous Environmental Accidents: Often involving the workplace when employers do not protect their employees from hazards like heavy machinery, scaffolding, or toxic materials. They also happen when business owners fail to protect visitors or customers from crime by not providing things like:
- Properly lit alleys, sidewalks, or parking lots
- Adequate security or cameras
Contact an Oklahoma Premises Liability Attorney Today
Accidents happen all the time. But when an accident occurs on a property or business owner’s premises, and it is the result of an owner’s negligence or lack of precaution, the injured may be able to obtain compensation for the damages the injury caused. Damage awards often provide compensation for expenses like:
- Initial medical bills and ongoing medical care
- Lost wages
- Loss of benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
In the worst scenarios, compensation from a premises liability case will have to pay for funeral expenses. If you or a loved one was injured due to the negligence of a residential property or business owner, you should reach out to an experienced premises liability attorney in Oklahoma. If you need an Oklahoma premises liability lawyer, the skilled team at BDIW Law is here to help with compassion and tact, so contact us for a free consultation.
