Personal injury law is a vast and highly complex field. Finding the facts you need after suffering an accident can be difficult and sometimes highly frustrating. To help victims of negligence access the facts they need simply and efficiently, we will be collecting some of our most frequently asked questions and their answers below.
This page is intended to provide general information; it may not apply to each individual case. To discuss your circumstances with a knowledgeable Oklahoma personal injury lawyer, contact the Abel Law Firm at (405) 239-7046.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you might be able to recover substantial financial compensation. Personal injury law exists so that victims do not have to pay for the costs of an injury that someone else’s negligence caused. You could recover the money you spent on a wide variety of injury-related expenses. For example, the courts might order the responsible party to pay you monetary recompense for: past and future hospital visits, the services of medical specialists, medication, physical therapy, counseling, lost work wages, vacation or sick days used for recovery, physical pain, emotional suffering, lifestyle changes, the lost capacity for work, and other costs.
Many people assume that a personal injury case will cost too much money and take too much time. Even victims with a clear-cut case sometimes shy away from talking to an attorney, fearing hidden fees and reluctant to get caught up in courtroom drama. These individuals often miss out on recovering significant financial compensation for their injuries. An injury that seems a mere inconvenience now can wind up costing you a lot of money down the road. Altogether, it is safer to consult with an OKC injury attorney as soon as possible after you are injured. The personal injury attorneys at Abel Law Firm will be clear, honest, and open with you. We can discuss the specifics of your situation before you decide whether or not to pursue your case. Many people find that it’s worth it to secure financial stability for themselves and their family after they have suffered from an injury.
Because we get results. Our accomplished Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys have a stellar track record of legal victories, and that means financial compensation for our clients. For instance:
- We secured $15,000,000 for a victim who suffered the loss of a limb in an oil rig accident.
- We won $12,800,000 for injuries caused by a defective Black & Decker product.
- One product liability suit ended with $5,000,000 in damages when an innocent person died because of a certain medication.
We have a long list of high-damages victories because we fight to get our clients the maximum payout possible. We are proud to represent the victims of preventable accidents. No monetary amount can completely make up for your injury, but we want to make sure you are not financially burdened because of someone else’s irresponsible, reckless actions.
The presence of heavy machinery, serious chemicals, and large heights make construction sites one of the most dangerous workplaces in America. In fact, more fatalities and injuries occur on construction sites than in any other workplace. Falling from heights is a common construction site injury. Whether working on scaffolding or an oil rig, a high fall can cause traumatic bodily harm. Another common injury is a repetitive motion injury. This broad category of injury occurs when muscles or tissue become damaged after performing the same motion over and over. Common in offices and construction sites alike, your employer should make you aware of the risks of repetitive motion injuries.
When you are pursuing a personal injury case, evidence of said injury can be vitally important in making your claims. Thus, preserving such evidence can help you fight for your rights. Physical evidence is usually the most helpful in these cases, since memories of an incident can be unreliable and other factors may be altered.
It is a good idea to gather evidence as soon as you can. Photos, medical records, doctor’s reports, and even the item that caused the injury can all be useful in proving your case.
If you have suffered from an injury due to anything from a motor vehicle accident to a defective product, you may be entitled to financial aid from the liable party. For more information regarding personal injury law, contact an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer at the Abel Law Firm today by calling (405) 239-7046.
The statute of limitations on a typical Oklahoma personal injury claim is two years – in other words, you have two years or less from the date you suffered or discovered the injury in which you can file a claim. This applies to almost all personal injury claims, including professional malpractice and product liability. In some cases, the time limit may be even shorter.
Constructing a solid case takes a good deal of research and legal negotiation. If you are thinking about pursuing a personal injury claim, you need to begin learning about your options as soon as possible. Contact an experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyer from the Abel Law Firm at (405) 239-7046.
Many people are apprehensive about pursuing fair compensation because they do not want to go through the ordeal of a legal trial. The good news is that most defendants do not want this either, and will offer settlements to avoid it. In fact, the majority of personal injury cases are handled this way.
However, it is true that some complex cases can only be fairly settled through a trial. If you are considering filing a claim against a negligent party, you need an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer who can handle you affairs both in and out of court. Contact the Abel Law Firm at (405) 239-7046.
When a court finds that one person has negligently caused some kind of harm to another person, it may award compensatory damages. These are various amounts of money meant to repay the injured party for different losses. Examples of compensatory damages include: pain and suffering; loss of earning potential; disability; medical expenses; loss of a loved one’s support, and so on.
Compensatory damages are meant to restore the injured party’s life to where it was before the accident took place. For more information about pursuing damages after an accident, contact an Oklahoma personal injury attorney from the Abel Law Firm at (405) 239-7046.
When our elderly friends and relatives lose the ability to take care of themselves, we often rely on nursing homes or assisted living facilities to help. However, these centers may not treat our elders with the respect and care that they deserve. This is called elder abuse and neglect.
The main types of mistreatment of older people include:
- Physical abuse
- Mental or emotional abuse
- Financial abuse
- Neglect
These forms of elder abuse can lead to permanent physical and mental damages in the ones you love. If you or someone you know has endured this suffering, consult an Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyer at the Abel Law Firm now by calling (405) 239-7046.
We are surrounded by consumer products that we trust to be safe and defect-free. However, sometimes manufacturers fail in their responsibility to keep us safe and free from harm. There are three types of product defects that can lead to injury:
- Design flaws – a design flaw will affect a whole line of products because it goes back to the original plan for the item. This means that a product is defective before it is even produced.
- Manufacturing defects – these occur during the actual production process. Sometimes, only a few products may be affected.
- Misleading labels – when the marketing team fails to properly warn you of dangerous ingredients or safety hazards, as well as harmful chemicals, this can cause injury.
Defective consumer products can lead to injury to you or someone you know. When this happens, you may be able to prove that the manufacturer is liable for your injuries, which can help you gain financial compensation to help you heal.
For an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer that can aid you in your product liability or personal injury case, contact the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
When you use a consumer product, you are reasonably able to expect that it should not cause harm to you or someone you love. However, sometimes products do not follow these expectations. There are three basic types of product liability:
- Negligence – this applies when carelessness on behalf of the manufacturer causes injury.
- Strict product liability – this involves proving that manufacturer is responsible for a dangerous product, and they should have expected harm.
- Breach of Warranty – this relies on proving that the manufacturer broke a written or implied promise.
The nuances between the three types of product liability can be confusing. Therefore, if you or someone you know has been injured by a defective or unsafe product, you should contact a personal injury lawyer to help you fight for your rights. For more information, contact the Oklahoma personal injury lawyers at the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
You purchase an insurance policy on the assumption that the insurance company will help you when personal injuries and other such accidents arise. Sometimes, though, insurance companies will wrongly deny your claim. This unreasonable conduct is called “bad faith.”
You place your trust in an insurance company to help you through troubled times. Also, trying to battle with the insurance agent to pay your claim can be difficult and intimidating.
For help in navigating the tricky waters of insurance disputes, you should contact an Oklahoma insurance dispute lawyer at the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
You may hear the term “negligence” tied with law issues such as personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, etc. However, the idea of negligence itself can be confusing. Basically, negligence is defined as departing from ordinary, expected behavior or care which results in injury to others.
For instance, look at medical malpractice. You have lawful reason to believe that a doctor will make you better rather than worse. However, if the doctor performs below his or her reasonable, expected level of competence, he or she can fail this duty to you and cause harm. This loss of prudence is negligence.
If someone’s negligence has caused harm to you or someone you know, you should talk to an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer about your rights. Call an experienced personal injury attorney at the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046 for more information.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA, is a federal agency designed to protect private and some public sector worker’s rights, as well as the workers themselves. With an office in Oklahoma City, workers have easy access to local, helpful resources in the event of an accident at work. The Oklahoma office assures safe and healthful working conditions for working people by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. Enforcement of these standards is maintained through random inspections and an office which received employee complaints. If you believe your employer is placing you in a dangerous situation, an OSHA complaint may be appropriate. OSHA complaints often result in an inspection, and you can request your name be kept secret.
When you visit a business, home, or other place of interest, you should feel safe from harm. However, sometimes people do not properly maintain their properties, which can result in injury to you or someone you know. Premises liability is the statute that says that property owners are legally responsible for keeping their property safe for any and all visitors.
An owner of a property is responsible for keeping the premise safe from hazards. This means that proper safety measures should be in place, such as fire detectors. Additionally, visitors should be protected from things like slip and fall accidents, building collapses, and toxins present in the building.
If you or someone you know is injured due to a negligent property owner, they can be held liable to help you handle the financial issues that arise from the injury. To help you fight for your rights, call an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer at the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
Wrongful death is a tragic loss of life that occurs when a person or other entity’s negligence causes the death of another. When this happens, it not only causes emotional damage to the survivors, but it can also rob a family of financial stability.
This tragedy can occur as a result of things such as vehicular accidents, unregulated occupational dangers, dangerous premises, etc.
Wrongful death of a loved one is something that no family should have to experience. Seeking financial compensation for wrongful death can prompt people and other entities to be more careful with the lives of those around them, as well as help a family overcome their sufferings.
If you or someone you know has lost someone due to wrongful death, consider talking to a wrongful death attorney about your rights to financial recompense. Contact an Oklahoma personal injury attorney at the Abel Law Firm today by calling (405) 239-7046.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act empowered workers throughout the country by ensuring they are not placed in harm’s way. You are entitled to receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to your workplace in a language you understand. In addition, you may ask OSHA to conduct an inspection anonymously and speak with the inspector in private. Federal laws protect you from discrimination based on your OSHA request, and discrimination for being a “whistleblower” is completely prohibited.
The primary difference between accidents that cause injury and personal injury cases is that the latter is caused by negligence of another party. This can be a doctor’s failure to properly diagnose a disease, a product manufacturer’s forgetting to place a warning label on a product, a property owner’s inadequacy to maintain safety standards, etc.
Sadly, injuries are unpredictable. You should reasonably place your trust in doctors, premise owners, and those around you to act with care rather than recklessness. However, sometimes these individuals fail in their duty to you.
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should contact a lawyer to determine if you have a case. For more information, contact an Oklahoma personal injury attorney from the Abel Law Firm today by calling (405) 239-7046.
Many people have experienced the embarrassment of tripping over their own feet. However, when a slip and fall is caused by the recklessness of another party, it can be a personal injury. For example, if a premise owner fails to mark that a floor is slippery due to a recent cleaning, this can cause you to slip and fall, resulting in serious injuries.
Slip-and-falls are a large part of personal injury cases, and for good reason. They can cause serious injuries, including brain damage that can affect someone for the rest of his or her life. If you or someone you know has experienced a slip and fall caused by someone else’s negligence, you should speak to an attorney about your options.
For more information, contact an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer from the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
While some people can just lose control of their cars and cause an accident, there are some cases when these accidents can turn into personal injury cases. If a car malfunctions due a defective part, causing a wreck, this can potentially cause a devastating injury. Should a roadway not be properly maintained, it can contribute to personal injury case if there is a crash because of it. If someone chooses to drive drunk or otherwise impaired, they can cause an injury if he or she crashes into someone else.
Even the most careful person can fall victim to injuries caused by negligent roadway construction, car manufacturers, and even other drivers. If you or someone you know has been injured, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For more information, contact an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer from the Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046.
