Golf is a popular sport in Oklahoma, with 196 golf courses across the state: 91 public, 66 municipal, and 39 private courses. While golf is intended to be a relaxing and safe activity, accidents and injuries can happen.
According to Chris Hammons an experienced personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City, if you suffer an injury due to negligence or unsafe conditions at a golf course in Oklahoma, you may be able to make a personal injury claim and receive compensation for your damages.
Types of Golf Course Injuries
Several common types of golf-related injuries may lead to legal claims in Oklahoma:
- Struck by a golf club – 23.4% of ER admissions occur when someone is hit by a golf club.
- Struck by a golf ball – Being hit by an errant golf ball struck by another player is one of the most frequent golf injuries, with 16% of golfing ER visits caused by golf ball injuries. This can lead to anything from bruises to broken bones or even concussions or eye injuries if the ball strikes the head.
- Slip and fall accidents – Slipping on wet grass, tripping on uneven paths or steps, or falling due to unseen hazards can cause sprains, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious harm.
- Golf cart accidents – Reckless driving or faulty golf carts can cause collisions leading to injuries – 15,000 injuries every year are caused by golf carts. Golf cart rollovers due to steep slopes or sharp turns also frequently lead to severe or even fatal injuries.
- Defective golf equipment – Golf clubs, balls, carts, or other equipment that is poorly designed or damaged can cause injuries during normal use.
- Unsafe course conditions – Poor maintenance such as overgrown grass or bushes, debris left on the course, unrepaired steps or paths, or other hazards can contribute to accidents. 10.4% of injuries on golf courses are caused by slip and falls, with older people more at risk.
- Injuries during lessons/clinics – Inexperienced golfers practicing their swing may inadvertently strike and injure an instructor or other participant.
Liability for Golf Course Injuries in Oklahoma
To claim compensation, your personal injury lawyer must be able to prove that the golf course or other responsible party was negligent or failed to maintain safe conditions. Possible grounds for liability include:
- Failure to properly design and construct cart paths, steps, slopes, water hazards, etc.
- Allowing defectively designed golf carts on the premises
- Failure to properly train and supervise employees like instructors or cart drivers
- Failure to inspect and maintain the course properly
- Failure to enact or enforce rules for safe play
The compensation you can recover will depend on the severity of your injury, required medical treatment, impact on your ability to work, pain and suffering, and other factors. A claim filed in New York back in 2019 led to a settlement of $1.075 million when a child was injured by a golf cart and suffered permanent damage to his arm.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim For A Golf Course Injury in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. It is advisable to contact an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. An attorney can help you investigate liability, determine the full value of your damages, negotiate a potential settlement, and file a lawsuit if necessary.
Many golf course injury claims settle out of court through negotiation. However, your attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit to show your willingness to litigate and gain leverage in settlement talks. With the help of expert testimony and thorough evidence gathering, you can prove the golf course’s responsibility and recover full compensation.