Personal Injury Cases – Law Offices of Jeff Martin

Our Tulsa, OK injury attorneys know that summer is the season when people in Oklahoma spend a lot of time outdoors, engaging in recreational activities, doing yard work and fixing up their homes. Unfortunately, during the summer months, there are a lot of risks that people face as they head outside and use products, tools and machines that they may not use at other times of the year.

One recent tragic accident involving a lawn mower was an important reminder of some of the risks that people face as the weather grows warmer. The accident shows how important it is to be aware of all of the added dangers associated with yard work, outdoor tools and outdoor recreational equipment so that you can make sure you play it safe and don’t put your health at risk.

Tragic Oklahoma Loan Mower Accident

According to Oklahoma’s Own News on 6, a northeast Oklahoma woman was on a riding lawn mower  on her rural property when an accident occurred. The riding lawn mower rolled over and ended up pinning the woman underneath it.  The 43-year-old woman was killed as a result of the mower rolling.  News 6 reports that the sheriff is awaiting a report from the medical examiner on the specific cause of death.

Lawnmowers are one of the many products that people in Oklahoma will use more during the warm spring and summer months. As this accident shows, mowers can be dangerous and deadly accidents can result. Other types of summer tools, products and recreational equipment used for work or for pleasure that can also have a similar risk of injury include:

• Gas grills, which could cause explosions due to problems with the propane tank or grill design
• Electronic edgers and weed whackers
• Power tools used in outdoor home improvement projects
• Mulchers/chippers
• Bobcats used for clearing land
• Chainsaws
• Golf carts
• Boats
• Jet Skis and other personal watercraft devices.
• ATVs

All of these products are more likely to be used when the weather outside is nice. Unfortunately, not all product manufacturers make sure the products they are selling are safe. As a result, more people using potentially dangerous products could result in an overall increase in accidents over the summer.

Whether you are out having fun on summer equipment or whether you are using tools for yard work, while engaged in a home improvement project or simply mowing the lawn, you should be aware that all of these products have risks and that injury could occur if there is some defect or problem with the tools you are using.

Who is to Blame When Something Goes Wrong?

If you are using a product as the manufacturer intended — no matter what that product is — and you get hurt as a result, then the manufacturer can be held legally responsible. This is based on a rule called strict liability.

This means that if it is determined that the lawn mower had an impact on causing an accident that resulted in death or injury, the manufacturer could be sued or made to pay damage even if the manufacturer had done nothing wrong in selling or designing the mower. It is sufficient that a problem or defect caused harm.

As you use summer products this month, be sure you are aware of your rights under product liability rules in the event of injury. Consulting an experienced injury law firm is free and is often the best course of action in the wake of serious or fatal injury.

KOSU Oklahoma recently published a story sure to raise alarm for anyone considering moving into a nursing home or for anyone who has made the difficult choice to secure nursing home care for a parent or a relative. A KOSU investigation revealed widespread problems at several nursing homes throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Our injury attorneys in Tulsa, OK urge anyone with a relative in a nursing home to take note of this upsetting investigation and to become informed about the problem of nursing home neglect and abuse. While many nursing homes do provide quality care, there are also many others that fail their patients in devastating ways. Being aware of the signs of nursing home abuse can help you to ensure that your loved ones do not fall victim to abusive behavior.

Nursing Home Abuse in Oklahoma

The KOSU investigation focused on a rehabilitation center located in Midwest City, which had recently come under the control of Genesis Healthcare. The investigation found that four inmates, including a convicted murderer, had moved into the nursing home and were shackled to their beds with guards standing watch. The inmates were affiliated with gangs and had previously been involved in a prison riot.

The investigation also revealed that the nursing home was so short staffed there were not enough nurses to administer needed medications to patients. Staff also failed to tell family members when their relatives had fallen and, in at least one incident, a nurse got violent towards a patient and pulled her out of bed against her will.

The nursing home is currently under investigation and may soon be unable to continue operations. It will not be the first Oklahoma nursing home cited for significant problems. Another nursing home in Tulsa, for example, was supposed to be transferred to the control of Genesis Healthcare but had their license suspended last year due to the inadequacy of the care being provided. The Tulsa nursing home had also been cut off from receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding because of their failures.

Watching for Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

These tragic stories of abuse and neglect are an important reminder to anyone with a relative in a nursing home that it is essential to be vigilant in watching for signs of abuse or neglect. Some red flags that abuse or neglect are occurring include:

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, broken bones or other injuries.
• A significant change in mood, depression or loss of interest in activities on the part of the nursing home resident.
• Pressure sores/bed sores.
• Signs of dehydration or malnutrition including weight loss
• Poor hygiene
• Burns
• Torn or bloody clothing or bedding
• Hair loss
• Disappearance of personal belongings
• Unexplained financial transactions
• Diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease

These are just a few of the many different signs of abuse that relatives should look out for when visiting relatives in a nursing home. It is important to remember that if something seems wrong or seems out of the ordinary that it is always worth following up on your concerns in order to make sure that everything is OK.

Hunting season recently kicked into full swing in Oklahoma. Hunting whitetail deer, turkeys and quail have long been a popular past time in the Sooner state. But accidents happen, even to the safest hunters or casual bystanders.

Like other states, hunting accidents in Oklahoma are rare, but they sadly do happen. And each year, there are accidental deaths involving firearms across the state. Figures range from a 20 year low of nine accidental firearms deaths in 2006 in Oklahoma to a high of 36 deaths in 1988. See : Hunting Accident Lawyer Tulsa OK

The vast majority of hunters practice their craft with care and sensitivity. But a small number of hunters disregard established rules and regulations. Some ignore private property signs and trespass onto other people’s land. Others hunt out of season or at night – both against the law in Oklahoma. Sometimes, such hunters are simply a nuisance. Other times, the consequences of irresponsible hunters can be deadly.

Accidents happen. What would you do if you or a loved one were injured in a hunting accident? What if your property was damaged by a trespassing hunter? Understanding Oklahoma’s complex hunting regulations can be difficult. You need someone who thoroughly understands the law. You need an experienced legal team in your corner. You need the Law Offices of Jeff Martin.

Our knowledgeable attorneys have years of experience defending victims of hunting accidents in Oklahoma. We tenaciously investigate every case and work tirelessly to obtain the full compensation you deserve. We know how to uncover facts other firms might overlook. We leave no stone unturned!

Hunting accidents can be traumatic. Your family’s lives can change in an instant. Don’t be a victim. Take action. Contact Jeff Martin today. We’re on your side.

Pedestrian accidents are far too common in Oklahoma. Just recently, a 73-year-old woman was killed while crossing the street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. And in 2010, pedestrian accidents claimed the lives of 68 people in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Now, a surprising new study has uncovered a startling link between pedestrian accidents and texting.

Pedestrian accidents happen fast. In the blink of an eye, you can sustain a serious, life-altering injury while crossing the street. Fatal pedestrian accidents are also a serious, real threat. Scared? Confused? Contact a personal injury lawyer in Tulsa who fights for victims every day. Contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin. Throughout Oklahoma, our Tulsa personal injury lawyers have a well-earned reputation for being tough, no-nonsense lawyers.

When we tackle a case, we put all our resources to work for our clients. We often examine police reports to determine if the driver failed to stop while you were crossing the street. We also consider other factors, such as whether the driver was operating under the influence or driving with an expired license. So many factors come into play in pedestrian accidents. We leave no stone unturned in our relentless pursuit of justice. Rely on a Tulsa personal injury attorney who puts people first. Contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin.

A recent scientific study revealed that texting while crossing the street significantly increases the chances of a pedestrian texting accident. Specifically, the odds of being hit by a vehicle while crossing the street increase by four times when pedestrians are texting compared to pedestrians who are not texting, according to research conducted by the Youth Safety Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. And even more dangerous is listening to music and crossing the street at the same time, the same study reports.

Serious accidents demand serious attention. This may be your only opportunity for justice. Don’t settle for second best. Contact a tough Tulsa law firm who will fight for you. Contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin. We mean business!

More than 500 people over 65 years old are injured in car accidents every day nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And the odds of getting in a fatal accident increase noticeably each year for drivers over 75 years old. But an interesting thing happens when older drivers have grandchildren with them in a vehicle. Children are twice as safe when their grandparents are driving instead of their parents, according to a recent scientific study.

Accidents happen fast in Oklahoma. Knowing what to do can be confusing. You need a personal injury lawyer in Tulsa you can trust on your side. You need the Law Offices of Jeff Martin. Our law firm has a well-earned reputation throughout Oklahoma for its first-class Tulsa personal injury attorneys. When we take on a case, we put all our resources to work for our clients. We carefully examine the facts and build a rock-solid case with one goal in mind: get our clients the money they rightfully deserve. Contact Tulsa personal injury lawyers who put people first. Contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin. We’re on your side.

Older drivers are some of the most responsible drivers in many ways, the CDC reports. An estimated 77 percent of drivers over 65 years old wear their seatbelts compared to 63 percent of drivers 18 to 64 years old. Older drivers limit their driving during bad weather and at night. They also have drastically lower incidences of drunk driving compared to drivers 21 to 64 years old.

Even so, even the safest drivers can easily be injured in an accident. Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your life. Take back control. Contact the Law Offices of Jeff Martin. We realize your case isn’t just about the money. It’s about justice, about making sure you get the attention you rightfully deserve.

The Law Offices of Jeff Martin – we mean business!

Seatbelt usage surged this year in Oklahoma. The latest statistics for 2010 found that 85 percent of people in Oklahoma wear their seatbelt. That’s a 1.7 percent increase in one year. This year’s figure puts Oklahoma at exactly the same percentage for seatbelt use nationwide, according to 2010 figures by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Seatbelt usage was not always so common. In 1994, only 58 percent of people nationwide wore seatbelts when riding in vehicles. Since then, seatbelt usage has steadily climbed every year nationwide for the past 16 years. Why the increase? Many believe it’s due to tougher seatbelt laws. States like Oklahoma have primary enforcement seatbelt laws. This means police in Oklahoma can pull someone over for not wearing their seatbelt and issue them a $20 fine. States with primary seatbelt laws report that 88 percent of motorists wear seatbelts. States without such laws report that 75 percent of motorists wear seatbelts.

But seatbelts aren’t perfect. Car companies make mistakes. Sometimes, a defective design can leave a seatbelt not functioning right. A gifted young professional baseball player, Brian Cole, was killed when his Ford SUV rolled over and his seatbelt failed to hold him in place. An investigation found that Cole had his seatbelt on at the time. Recently, a jury ordered Ford to pay Cole’s family $131 million, claiming the seatbelt did not work right and contributed to Cole’s death.

Accidents happen fast. In an instant, your life can change forever. What would you do if you were injured? How would you pay your medical bills? What if your insurance company refused to cooperate? Knowing what to do can be confusing. Finding answers can be difficult. You need an action plan. You need someone who understands Oklahoma’s complicated legal system. You need someone who will demand justice. You need the Law Offices of Jeff Martin.

Our lawyers have years of experience successfully representing car accident victims in Oklahoma. We know the scare tactics some insurance companies and auto makers use to avoid compensating people. Don’t be a victim. Fight back. Contact a law firm dedicated to getting results. Contact Jeff Martin today.

Motorcycles have never been more popular. In 1998, there were 3.8 million motorcycles on the road. By 2008, that number had skyrocketed to 7.7 million motorcycles. Sadly, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents has more than doubled during the same time period. In 1998, motorcycle accidents killed 2,294 people and injured more than 49,000 nationwide. In 2008, 5,290 died and more than 96,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents.

The sharp rise in the number of motorcycle accidents has been linked to the dramatic increase in the number of inexperienced riders on the road. But there may be another reason for this increase. During the same time period, many states relaxed their motorcycle helmet laws.

Helmets drastically reduce the likelihood of dying in a motorcycle accident. Riders wearing helmets are 37 percent less likely to die in a crash than riders without helmets, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s why many states still require motorcyclists to wear helmets. In Oklahoma, motorcyclists 17 years old or younger are required by law to wear helmets.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. In Oklahoma, a total of 80 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2008.  Just recently, a motorcyclist in Tulsa was killed when his motorcycle collided into the side of a truck.

What would you do if you were injured in a motorcycle accident? Who would you call? Who would you trust? You need someone in your corner that will fight for your rights. You need someone who will work tirelessly to make sure you’re fully compensated for your injuries. You need the Law Offices of Jeff Martin.

Jeff Martin has years of experience defending the rights of motorcycle accident victims in Oklahoma. We understand the law and know how to get the most for our clients. We also realize insurance companies often try to blame motorcyclists for causing the accident, even if it wasn’t their fault.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. Contact Jeff Martin today. We’re on your side.

Recent fatal All Terrain Vehicle accidents in Oklahoma have placed the safety of such vehicles in the public spotlight. Just recently, a 48-year-old Pryor man was killed when he lost control of his ATV and was thrown 20 feet. This year alone, Tulsa news outlets have already reported on eight deaths caused by ATV accidents in Oklahoma, including a 4-year-old in June and a 13-year-old in May.

Children under 16 years old account for roughly 20 percent of all fatalities in ATV accidents nationwide, according to official government statistics. And each year, hundreds of people nationwide die in ATV accidents. In 2008, the figure was 410 deaths. But that figure was the lowest one since 1999. On average, 629 people were killed each year nationwide in ATV accidents between 2000 and 2008.

What can you do to prevent yourself from becoming another statistic? Are you safe? Some Oklahoma officials believe children should be required to wear a helmet while operating an ATV. Wearing a helmet is also recommended on the government’s official ATV safety web site. Other recommendations for staying safe on an ATV:

• No children on adult ATVs
• Take a safety training course
• Don’t ride tandem
• Don’t ride on pavement
• Don’t ride under the influence

ATV accidents are serious. Don’t leave your future to chance. You need someone who knows what to do if you’re a victim of an ATV accident. You need someone who will vigorously fight for your rights. You need the Law Offices of Jeff Martin.

When you choose us, you get experienced lawyers who understand the law and will demand you get the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact Jeff Martin today. We mean business.