If you’ve been injured in a recent falling accident, you need to speak to a Florida slip and fall accident lawyer about your options for legal compensation. Your injuries might leave you financially stressed and in physical pain, but there are paths to secure relief.
The lawyers at Sweet James have been helping injury victims for over 25 years. Our firm has a reputation for being willing to fight for what’s right, no matter the circumstances. We can hold negligent property owners accountable for their wrongdoing and help you recover the financial compensation you need for healing and recovery.
Reach out to a slip and fall accident lawyer from Sweet James today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Why You Should Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer
You should always work with a Florida personal injury lawyer after any kind of accident, including a slip and fall accident. With slip and fall accidents, you’ll likely make an insurance claim with the property owners. Making an insurance claim can be difficult, but a lawyer can level the playing field.
A Florida lawyer for slip and fall accident claims can gather evidence showing the property owner’s fault and the severity of your injuries. An attorney can also give you administrative support and represent you during settlement negotiations. If necessary, a legal professional can litigate your case in a formal lawsuit.
Where Do Slip and Falls Happen in Florida?
Slip and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere in Florida but are most common in pedestrian-focused areas that receive a high amount of foot traffic. Below are some common places where falling accidents happen:
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Private homes
- Apartment complexes
- Retails stores
- Parking lots
- Restaurants and diners
- Bars and nightclubs
- Hotels and resorts
- Swimming pools and recreation centers
- Sidewalks and public property
Common causes of slip and falls include wet floors, uneven flooring, walkway obstructions and clutter, bad weather, and a lack of property maintenance.
Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents
Many people dismiss the severity of slip and fall cases, but a fall can cause serious injury. Impacts to the head can cause concussion and traumatic brain injury, and even minor falls can cause vertebral damage. Below are common types of injuries from slip and falls:
- Joint sprains and muscle strains
- Broken bones and fractures
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Finger, hand, and wrist injuries
- Leg and hip injuries
- Head injuries and skull fractures
- Spinal cord injury
No matter what kind of injuries you may have, you need to see a doctor to get an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
Who Is Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida?
In most cases, property owners and managers are responsible for inspecting their properties and fixing hazards that could harm guests. If the hazard cannot be fixed immediately, landowners must place sufficient warning to reduce risk to visitors.
For example, say a store owner mops the floor, then fails to place a “wet floor” sign. A customer later walks by, slips on the wet floor, and breaks their wrists. In this case, the store owner would be liable. They failed to post a warning about a known hazard, and a customer suffered injuries.
Injury victims can file a lawsuit against liable owners for their medical bills, lost work income, and non-economic losses, like pain and suffering.
Visitor Distinctions and Duties of Care
Property owners, managers, and their representatives have a legal duty to inspect their properties and keep guests free of harm. However, the exact degree of effort they must expend depends on the kind of visitor.
Florida law broadly recognizes two types of visitor distinctions:
- Invitee. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care and consist of guests on the property for commercial purposes, like customers in a store.
- Licensee. Licensees are guests on the property for non-commercial purposes, like house guests. Licensees are owed a lower duty of care than invitees.
There are also trespassers, but property owners owe no special duty of care to individuals unlawfully on the property. By identifying which kind of visitor you were, a lawyer can properly determine whether the landowner violated their duty of care to you.
Deadlines for Filing a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit
According to Florida Statutes 95.11, you usually have two years to file a lawsuit for slip and fall injuries. This time limit begins counting from the date of injury or, in the case of hidden injuries, the date you discovered your condition. This time limit is very strict. Missing it by even one day will likely bar you from recovering any compensation at all.
By starting early, you greatly reduce the chances of facing payment delays and complications. Our Florida slip and fall lawyers can initiate your case quickly and expedite timelines, getting you access to your payments faster.
Sweet James: Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys Serving Florida
Are you ready to have a consultation with a Florida slip and fall attorney? If so, give the team at Sweet James a call or fill out our contact form below. Consultations are free, so there is no risk on your part.
