Slip and Fall Lawyers
In 2023, almost nine million people were treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries. If the accident that hurt you was someone else’s fault, you may have a possible lawsuit.
The Oklahoma slip and fall lawyers at Federman & Sherwood can advocate for you through what is likely going to be a difficult legal process. We will take the same approach to your case as we have been since our founders opened our doors for business. We will always go the extra mile and fight for you at every step of the way.
Federman & Sherwood is located at 10205 N Pennsylvania Ave, The Village, OK 73120, across the street from Casady Stadium. Call us today at (800) 237-1277 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Recent Review
When you hire Federman & Sherwood for your slip and fall case, you are gaining a tireless lawyer who will be responsive to your needs. Client Bre M. writes: “They are an extremely professional law firm. They are kind to work with, respond to emails and return phone calls! They represented me well! I am pleased with all that they have done for me. I highly recommend!”
What Is Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case?
Whether you are filing a claim or lawsuit, the legal standard that you need to meet to qualify for compensation in a slip and fall case is negligence. Here, you must demonstrate that the property owner (or the person who had day-to-day control over it, such as a store that rented the property) took an action or committed an oversight that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
There are two ways that you may be able to prove negligence in a slip and fall case:
- You can show that the property owner themselves created the danger that caused your fall.
- You can prove that the property owner failed to take action to remedy the dangerous condition within a reasonable amount of time after they knew or should have known of it.
What Evidence Can Help Me Win My Slip and Fall Case?
Proving negligence in a slip and fall case is not always straightforward. The one constant is that you always need to meet your burden of proof, and you would do it by gathering evidence that shows what the property owner did. You may begin your case with evidence that is more readily available to you, such as:
- Witness testimony from people who saw the accident
- Pictures of the scene of the accident
- Testimony from an accident reconstruction expert
- The police report of your incident
The challenge is that you may need additional evidence to win your case. You may not have been able to compile evidence at the scene because you were injured. There is other proof that may be in the hands of the property owner, which you may be able to obtain in the discovery process of a lawsuit. For example, the property owner may have video footage of the accident, or maintenance and inspection logs of the property.
Why Slip and Fall Cases Are Difficult
Slip and fall cases are not always known as the easiest to win. The reason is that the insurance companies see a very high volume of this type of claim, and they take a very skeptical viewpoint. Insurance companies often adopt a mentality of denying your claim first and asking questions later. In a sense, they want to force you to fight. If the insurance company refuses to accept liability, you can either present additional evidence or you can take your case to court.
Even if the insurance company accepts liability in your case, it may just be the starting point of your legal battle. Not only will the insurance company readily deny your claim, but they will also deliberately minimize and understate your injuries, so they can fight you on damages. You can expect that a settlement offer will be extremely low and that you will need to fight for them to raise their offer.
“When the insurance company is trying to give you the runaround, I am here to fight for you. I will not let my clients be treated unfairly by insurance companies who are known to do this in slip and fall cases.” Oklahoma slip and fall lawyer J.T. Sherman.
What Is the Legal Process in a Slip and Fall Case?
As the accident victim, you are the one who maintains control over the legal process. The insurance company may try to jumpstart it by pressuring you into a statement or a premature settlement, but you can retain your power by working with an Oklahoma slip and fall attorney.
You may choose to begin the legal process by working with the property owner’s insurance company in an informal claim. Even though the courts are not involved, you can expect the claims process to be tough. If you are not having success in the claims process, or if your slip and fall lawyer advises it, you may file a lawsuit against the responsible party in court. Then, a jury would decide both matters of liability and your damages.
Contact an Oklahoma Slip and Fall Injury Law Firm
Take the first step towards accountability and possible compensation in your slip and fall case by reaching out to Federman & Sherwood. You can schedule an appointment with a slip and fall lawyer for a free consultation by visiting our website or by calling us today at (800) 237-1277.