The most common personal injury claims in Oklahoma involve car accidents, slip-and-falls, workplace injuries, dog bites, wrongful death, and nursing home neglect. Most negligence-based injury claims must be filed within two years under Oklahoma’s general statute of limitations, 12 O.S. § 95, though wrongful death claims follow their own separate deadline.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common personal injury claims in Oklahoma, often causing serious injury and vehicle damage.
What should I do if I’m involved in a car accident in Oklahoma?
Prioritize safety first. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange insurance information with the other driver, photograph the scene, and see a doctor even if your injuries seem minor.
How can a lawyer help with my car accident claim?
A lawyer who handles Oklahoma car wreck claims can investigate the crash, identify every liable party, negotiate with insurance adjusters, calculate your medical bills and lost wages, and take the case to court if needed.
Slip and Fall Accidents
These incidents, covering how Oklahoma law treats falls on someone else’s property, can happen on public or private property and often cause serious injury.
What must I prove to win a slip-and-fall case in Oklahoma?
To win an Oklahoma slip-and-fall claim, you generally must show the property owner owed a duty of care, breached it by failing to fix or warn of a hazard, and that the breach caused your injuries and damages.
What compensation can I recover in a slip-and-fall claim?
A successful slip-and-fall claim, including what a fall at a major retail store can look like legally, may recover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability, with punitive damages only in rare, especially reckless cases.
Wrongful Death
When negligence causes a fatal injury, how survivors pursue a claim after a fatal accident typically starts with the deceased’s personal representative filing suit on behalf of the family.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Oklahoma?
Under 12 O.S. § 1053, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, not the family members individually, is the party who must bring the wrongful death claim, generally within two years of the death.
What damages are available in an Oklahoma wrongful death case?
Recoverable damages can include medical and burial expenses, the surviving spouse’s loss of consortium, the decedent’s mental pain and anguish, lost income and support, grief and loss of companionship for the children and parents, and in some cases punitive damages.
Workplace Accidents
Workplace accidents can cause serious injury, disability, or death, and Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system covers most employees hurt on the job.
Can I sue my employer for a workplace injury in Oklahoma?
In most cases, no. Workers’ compensation is the exclusive remedy for an on-the-job injury, so a separate lawsuit against the employer generally isn’t available, except in narrow situations such as intentional harm.
What benefits does Oklahoma workers’ compensation provide?
Benefits can include medical treatment, temporary or permanent disability payments, vocational retraining, and death benefits for surviving family. The U.S. Department of Labor’s overview of workers’ compensation programs explains how these benefits are typically structured.
Dog Bites
Dog owners in Oklahoma have a legal duty to keep their animals from injuring others, and anyone hurt should consider getting legal help after a dog attack in Oklahoma quickly.
What is Oklahoma’s law regarding dog bite liability?
Oklahoma does not follow a “one bite” rule. Under 4 O.S. § 42.1, owners are strictly liable when their dog bites or injures someone lawfully present who did not provoke the attack, regardless of whether the dog showed dangerous behavior before. This form of strict liability exists in many states, and how the strict liability statute applies to a first bite covers exceptions like provocation or trespassing.
What should I do if I’m bitten by a dog in Oklahoma?
Seek medical care right away, report the bite to animal control, photograph the wound and scene, get the owner’s contact and insurance information, and keep your medical records.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Nursing home residents in Oklahoma have the right to dignity and proper care.
What are the signs of nursing home abuse or neglect?
Warning signs include unexplained bruises, sudden behavior changes, poor hygiene, malnutrition or dehydration, bedsores, and overmedication or missed medication.
How can a lawyer help protect my loved one?
A lawyer focused on protecting a loved one from care-facility neglect can investigate the suspected abuse, report it to the appropriate state agency, pursue compensation, and help arrange a safer living situation if needed.
Contact an Oklahoma Personal Injury Lawyer
If someone else’s negligence hurt you or a loved one in Oklahoma, discuss the details of your claim with our office before talking to an insurance adjuster. Hasbrook & Hasbrook offers a free consultation and can help you pursue fair compensation. Call (405) 605-2426 to get started.
