A serious fall can change your life. Whether slipping in a grocery store or tripping over a broken stair, these accidents often lead to costly medical bills, time away from work, and a long recovery.
If unsafe property conditions caused your fall, you may have the right to hold the owner responsible, but doing so means building a strong case to prove fault.
To do that, attorneys must show that a hazard existed, that the property owner knew or should have known about it, and that they failed to correct the issue or warn others in time.
But how do they prove that responsibility? What kind of evidence helps show how the fall happened, and who was to blame?
Learn how experienced Oklahoma City slip and fall injury attorneys gather evidence, identify negligence, and prepare a claim backed by facts.
Investigate the Scene
Lawyers start by examining the location where the fall happened to understand what caused it and whether the danger was obvious or hidden. They look for evidence such as:
- Tripping hazards like uneven pavement or loose flooring
- Wet or slippery surfaces with no warning signs
- Poor lighting or cluttered walkways
- Evidence that the hazard has existed for a while, such as water stains or worn materials
Even if the property owner cleaned up the area after the fall, photos, inspection reports, or previous maintenance can still reveal patterns of neglect. Lawyers may also bring in a safety consultant or investigator to document the scene when needed.
Review Surveillance Footage
Video evidence is often crucial in slip-and-fall cases because it objectively records what happened. Many commercial and residential properties in Oklahoma City have security cameras positioned in entryways, walkways, and other shared spaces.
Attorneys move quickly to do the following on your behalf:
- Request footage before it’s deleted or recorded over
- Review clips showing the fall and the moments leading up to it
- Determine how long the hazard was present
- Observe how employees or staff responded, if at all
Footage showing employees walking past a spill without addressing it or failing to place warning signs can help support a claim that the property owner ignored a known safety hazard.
Interviewing Witnesses
Statements from people who saw the fall or the conditions leading up to it can help strengthen the timeline and support your account of what happened.
Legal teams collect statements from:
- Customers, tenants, or visitors who saw the fall
- Employees or maintenance workers familiar with the property
- Bystanders who heard comments or saw how staff responded
In some cases, a witness might also confirm that the issue had been a recurring problem or that others had tripped in the same area.
Examining Maintenance Records and Prior Complaints
Oklahoma property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. Maintenance logs, repair reports, and complaint records help show whether they took that responsibility seriously.
Lawyers often review the following to support your claim:
- Inspection schedules to see how often the area was checked
- Cleaning or repair logs that may show skipped routines
- Internal reports about known problems that were never fixed
- Complaints from tenants, employees, or past visitors
When these documents show that a hazard was reported but ignored, it becomes much harder for the property owner to deny liability.
Citing Building Codes and Safety Standards
Certain conditions violate Oklahoma building codes or fire safety regulations. Others may not break the law but still reflect poor upkeep or unsafe practices.
Attorneys may use as evidence:
- Local code violations, such as missing handrails or uneven stairs
- Industry safety standards, like using the wrong type of flooring in a high-traffic area
- Reports from city inspections or past citations
- Renovation records showing outdated or non-compliant features left in place
These findings help demonstrate how the property failed to meet basic safety standards, contributing to the accident.
Using Medical Records To Link the Fall to Injuries
Property owners often try to downplay the injury or argue it wasn’t caused by the fall. Medical records help counter those claims by linking the incident to the physical harm you suffered.
Your attorney may gather the following documents:
- Emergency room records and diagnostic notes
- Imaging results, such as X-rays or MRIs
- Follow-up evaluations and physical therapy reports
- Documentation of missed work or limited mobility
Together, these records help prove the injury was related to the fall, show the extent of the damage, and document the pain, limitations, and financial losses you’ve experienced.
Relying on Expert Testimony
Attorneys often collaborate with expert witnesses to explain how the fall happened and provide testimony on the extent of your injuries. This can be important if your case involves long-term effects or technical safety issues.
These experts may include:
- Safety engineers who assess the hazard and how it caused the fall
- Medical professionals who explain the injury and long-term care needs
- Vocational experts who evaluate how the injury affects your ability to work
Their insights help establish the cause of the fall, how serious the injury is, and how it will affect your life moving forward.
Get Experienced Legal Guidance for Your Slip and Fall Case
After a serious fall, it’s not always easy to prove what happened or why. Property owners may deny responsibility; without solid evidence, it’s hard to hold a negligent business or landlord accountable.
Our attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers understand how complex these cases can be. With years of experience handling slip and fall claims in Oklahoma City, we act quickly to gather critical evidence and build a case that connects the hazard to your injury.
Every action we take protects your rights, proves liability, and pursues the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you get the maximum settlement you need to move forward.
