Florida Slip And Fall Accidents
Did you know that slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of non-fatal injury-related hospitalizations in Florida? Every year, slip, trip, and fall accidents result in thousands of deaths and serious injuries – particularly among vulnerable groups like elderly people, differently-abled people, and people suffering from arthritis and other conditions that can restrict mobility.
If you have suffered a slip and fall injury on someone’s property, you might be able to hold them liable for your injury under Florida’s premises liability law. The seasoned Florida slip and fall accident lawyer at Shapiro Law Group has extensive experience in handling premises liability claims and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Most Common Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
The severity of injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident usually depends on various factors including:
- Your age and health condition
- Whether you fall on your face, on your back, or sideways
- Whether you fall on the same level or fall from a height
- The type of surface on which you fall
The most common types of injuries that you can sustain in a slip, trip, and fall accident include:
- Lacerations
- Fractures (wrist fractures and hip fractures in particular)
- Ligament tears
- Dislocations
- Nerve damage
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Elements to Establish Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
The most important elements to be proved in a Florida slip and fall claim include:
- A defective or hazardous condition existed on the property.
- The property owner or possessor had actual or constructive knowledge of the condition.
- The owner or possessor failed to take any action to fix the condition or warn people about it.
- The accident was caused directly as a result of the condition.
- You suffered injuries in the accident.
Comparative Negligence Rule in Florida
Florida follows the legal doctrine of pure comparative negligence, under which you have the right to be compensated for your injuries and other losses even if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident. Pertaining to this, your compensation will be reduced – depending on the extent or degree to which your own negligence contributed to the accident.
For instance, if you are awarded a sum of $200,000, and if you are found to be 10% at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 10% ($20,000) and you will receive $180,000.
How to Make a Claim for Your Injury?
In order to file a slip and fall claim against the at-fault property owner or possessor, you need to have an experienced Florida slip and fall lawyer on your side. The lawyer will collect the evidence needed to establish the owner or possessor’s liability (surveillance camera footage, witness statements, photographs taken at the accident scene, and more), send a demand letter to the insurance company, and negotiate with them to obtain a fair settlement.
A reliable and accomplished fall injury lawyer in Florida will fight to ensure that your settlement adequately covers your medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, and suffering, and other damages and losses you might have incurred as a result of your injuries. If the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer, your lawyer might decide to take your case to trial and recover damages.
Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident? Discuss Your Legal Options with a Top-Rated Florida Slip and Fall Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, the experienced slip and fall lawyer at Shapiro Law Group can help you. We can evaluate your claim, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, and recover the maximum possible compensation you are entitled to under the law.
Our lawyer goes above and beyond what most other personal injury lawyer do in order to get the results our clients want. We can give your case the personalized attention it deserves and make sure you are fully compensated for your injuries and other losses.
Call our law firm today at (954) 376-3874 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned slip and fall accident lawyer.
