Premises liability refers to the legal responsibilities of people who own or control real property to protect others from harm from their properties. If a property owner or manager fails to uphold these duties and someone is injured as a result, they can be held liable for the damages the victim suffered.
Premises liability claims can be complex, so it is in your best interest to speak to a personal injury lawyer with experience with these claims if you are considering taking legal action. Here is what to know about premises liability claims in Oklahoma City:
Premises Liability Claims Can Arise for Various Situations
Premises liability can arise in situations in which you are visiting a store, mall, restaurant, business, or other commercial establishment. Likewise, it can arise if you slip and fall while on public property or in a government building. It can also arise if you are injured while visiting a friend at their residence.
Slips and falls, burns, and even attacks by animals like dogs, or even criminals may all fall under the umbrella of premises liability claims. These legal claims arise when a person is injured due to a dangerous condition on the property, such as:
- Cracked pavement
- Wet or slippery floors
- Loose floorboards
- Missing or broken handrails
- Cluttered walkways
- Insufficient lighting
- Exposed wires
- Inadequate security
If you were injured on someone else’s property due to a hazardous condition, you may have legal grounds for a premises liability claim.
Duties of Care Depend on the Legal Status of the Visitor
In Oklahoma, the property owner’s duty of care depends on the legal status of the injured visitor. Property owners have different legal duties, depending on the visitor’s status, as follows:
- Invitees – An invitee is someone who has been asked to come onto the property by the owner explicitly or implicitly. A customer at a store is an example of an invitee. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must warn them of known hazards and conduct inspections to find unknown hazards to remedy them.
- Licensees – A licensee is someone who has permission to be on the property, often for the mutual benefit of the licensee and the property owner, such as a meter reader or delivery person. Property owners must warn these visitors of known hazards on the property.
- Trespassers – A trespasser is someone who does not have permission to be on the property. The only duty that property owners owe trespassers is not to harm them intentionally.
If you were injured while visiting someone else’s property, an experienced Oklahoma City premises liability lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of your injuries and what the property owner knew. They can seek to hold them accountable for your injuries, too.
An Experienced Oklahoma City Premises Liability Attorney Can Help
Were you recently injured while visiting someone else’s property? If so, you might have the right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. Contact Oklahoma Injury Law today or call (405) 310-8800 for a free case evaluation to review your legal options.