Ylla Gosney helps people in Tulsa that have been injured in premises liability accidents. Many of these accidents happen at one of the city’s numerous entertainment venues. These places offer excitement and memorable times, but this changes when there’s an accident that leaves you injured. If you or someone you know has been hurt at an entertainment venue in Tulsa and want to know more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do You Need a Lawyer for Entertainment Venue Accidents?
When you think about the sheer amount of entertainment options in Tulsa, it’s not all that surprising that accidents can happen. At the same time, this is often the last thing on your mind when you buy a ticket for a show or event.
Most of these accidents result in serious injuries, but every situation is unique. If you had only minor injuries, legal action might not be necessary. However, you’ll probably need a lawyer for more severe injuries. It’s here that our help can be crucial. Our approach includes the following steps:
- Investigating the accident
- Figuring out who’s responsible
- Explaining your rights and options
- Helping you gather evidence
- Negotiating with insurance companies and representatives
- Making things easier for you
Working with us helps you understand your legal options. That said, while your needs usually dictate how much help you’ll need, your options once you decide to move forward don’t really change.
What Options Do You Have After a Tulsa Entertainment Venue Accident?
Most people recognize that going for a night out or some other event in Tulsa can create lasting memories, but there’s always a risk of accidents at these venues. However, you have legal options when this happens, the main of which is filing an injury claim. Typically, you do this by:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit
Both options are pretty similar, with the main difference being that an insurance claim happens outside of court and is less formal. The main goal is to recover “damages.” Damages in such cases can vary widely and are specific to your situation. They may include:
- Medical expenses – These cover costs like hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation needed because of the accident.
- Lost income – These damages are for wages or income lost due to the injury, including missed workdays, reduced earning ability, or future inability to work.
- Pain and suffering – This category of damages relates to both physical pain and mental anguish caused by the injury, including immediate discomfort and long-term suffering.
- Emotional distress – These damages are for psychological trauma such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – These damages cover any inability to enjoy activities or personal relationships as fully as before the injury.
- Wrongful death expenses – In the event that your injuries or the accident itself is fatal, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral or burial expenses, among others.
- Punitive damages – In cases of severe negligence or intentional misconduct, these damages are made available to discourage similar behavior in the future.
Every case is unique. What you can recover depends on filing within Oklahoma’s two-year time limit and the losses you’ve suffered. To strengthen your claim, gather strong evidence and understand your legal rights and options for seeking your damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages After an Accident?
Probably the most important question you have to answer initially after an accident at a Tulsa entertainment venue is who has to pay for your injuries and damages. When an accident at a place like a theater or arena involves negligence, it shifts from a regular incident to a potential legal matter.
Liability is decided by an important concept: negligence. In simple terms, negligence is the legal duty a property has to keep you and other visitors safe. When this doesn’t happen and you get hurt, it amounts to negligence.
This is critical at venues because it decides who can be held responsible and who ultimately has to pay for your damages.
Typically, the venue’s owners and management are accountable for injuries. However, liability might also involve:
- Other visitors at the venue
- Employees, including staff and maintenance workers
- Private security personnel
- Manufacturers of faulty products used at the venue
- Architectural firms that designed the venue itself
Figuring out who has to pay for your damages effectively sets the course of your claim, telling you who you’ll file against. But there’s also things you need to do to protect and strengthen your claim.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Injury Claim?
What makes these accidents so frustrating is that not only are they likely preventable, but it’s often the last thing you expect to happen. However, that doesn’t change the legal process and what you need to do to protect your claim:
- Get medical help – Seek medical care immediately. While the venue may have medical facilities, it’s wise to also visit an emergency room or urgent care for thorough treatment. This not only addresses your health needs but also establishes a clear link between the incident and your injuries.
- Report the accident – At the same time you get medical help, tell a staff member or venue management about what happened. Ask them to create an official report, and gather evidence such as photographs and witness statements.
- Keep your evidence – Preserve all evidence related to the incident, including any surveillance footage or damaged property. Avoid repairing anything as it may be crucial for evidence.
- Document your losses – Keep track of your financial losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages, resulting from the incident.
Following these steps will help you manage the situation well and protect your rights if you decide to take legal action later on. But it can also help to understand the underlying causes of these accidents.
What Causes Accidents at Tulsa Entertainment Venues?
Negligence is an important part of your legal rights, and while it’s the legal standard for assigning liability, it doesn’t necessarily give you an understanding of how these accidents happen and what they mean. It’s true that there’s a lot of different venues in Tulsa, each with their own individual purpose and layout. Yet, the types and causes of accidents in these places usually involve the following:
- Security problems – If there’s not enough security or crowd control, fights or violence can happen.
- Alcohol and drugs – Using too much alcohol or drugs can make people clumsy and more likely to have accidents.
- Crowd movements – Large crowds moving fast can lead to tripping or being pushed, resulting in injuries.
- Maintenance issues – Poorly maintained seats, stairs, or paths can break or collapse, causing accidents.
- Falling objects – Objects thrown from above, signs, or parts of the building can fall and hurt people below.
- Overcrowding – When venues are too full, it can be hard to leave quickly in emergencies, making conditions unsafe.
- Slippery surfaces – Spilled drinks, food, or rain can make floors slippery, causing people to slip and fall.
- Equipment malfunctions – Broken venue equipment like elevators or lights can cause accidents.
- Crime – Unfortunately, venues can be places where crimes like assaults or robberies happen, especially in low traffic and less secure areas.
Remember, it’s important to know what to do if you’re involved in any type of accident, regardless of where it happens. That said, knowing the venue itself can be helpful in terms of knowing what to expect and where to go for help. In Tulsa, some of the most popular entertainment venues are:
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
- Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) Center
- Mabee Center
- Bob Dylan Center
- Woody Guthrie Center
- Heller Theatre
- Cain’s Ballroom
- Tulsa Zoo
- Tulsa State Fair at Expo Square
Even with a wide range of venues and potential accidents, your legal options and the support you need don’t really change. When you get hurt, you can turn to our team at Ylla Gosney for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m hurt at an outdoor event in Tulsa?
You have the same legal rights regardless of where the event is in Tulsa. The owner or manager of the property (outdoor venue) is liable for any injuries or damage that happens during the event.
What kinds of injuries can happen at event venues?
Accidents at Tulsa entertainment venues can cause various injuries. Common ones include cuts and bruises, but more serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries and broken bones can also happen.
How long do I have to file a claim for injury?
You have up to two years from the accident date to file a claim for injuries or wrongful death from an accident at a Tulsa entertainment venue. Waiting too long might make it hard to gather evidence or find witnesses who have moved away.
Experienced Tulsa Entertainment Venue Accident Lawyers
Having a great night out at a Tulsa entertainment venue should be enjoyable. However, if you’re injured in an accident there, it can significantly impact your life. At Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law, our experienced Tulsa entertainment venue accident lawyers understand your situation and can help you with your recovery. If you or someone you know has been injured due to a venue’s negligence and wants to learn more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation.
