Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Oklahoma

Cities may build and repair sidewalks and assess the cost against the abutting lots, and in an emergency may order the abutting owner or occupant to repair a sidewalk within three days, after which the city may make the repair and assess the cost to the property. These statutes do not say in words who is liable to a person injured on a defective sidewalk. Claims against a city are governed by the Governmental Tort Claims Act, which requires written notice of the claim within one year (see local government notice) and bars claims for weather-related snow or ice conditions on public ways unless the government negligently caused them.

One law, the Governmental Tort Claims Act, covers both the State and political subdivisions. A written claim must be presented within one year after the loss, or it is forever barred; for a city, county or other political subdivision it is filed with the office of the clerk of the governing body, and it must state the date, time, place and circumstances, the amount demanded and the claimant's contact information (plus health care providers and releases for injury claims). Time while the injured person is incapacitated (up to 90 days) does not count. A lawsuit may not be filed until the claim is denied; it is deemed denied if not fully approved within 90 days, and suit must be filed within 180 days after denial. Damage caps are set in § 154 of the Act.

Under the Governmental Tort Claims Act, written notice of the claim must be presented within one year after the loss (to the Risk Management Administrator for claims against the state, or to the clerk of the governing body for a city, county or other political subdivision), or the claim is forever barred. For wrongful death, the personal representative may give notice within one year after the death. A lawsuit may be filed only after the claim is denied (it is deemed denied if not approved within 90 days), and must be filed within 180 days after denial. Damages are capped per claimant and per occurrence; the dollar limits were changed in 2025.

Two years for an action for injury to the rights of another not arising from a contract, which covers most negligence-based injury claims. Assault, battery, libel, slander, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment have a one-year deadline.