PERSONAL INJURY
SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS
Every year, more than 1 million people are seen in emergency rooms due to slip and fall injuries. While most falls are relatively minor, a slip and fall can cause life-changing or even fatal injuries, especially for seniors and children. In many cases, slip and falls can be prevented as many are caused by hazardous conditions like slippery floors, crumbling pavement, or insufficient lighting.
In Florida, property owners have a duty to protect customers and guests from dangerous conditions and can be held liable for slip and fall injuries. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer at GMV Law Group, LLP can help you review your claim and protect your legal rights.
what causes slip and
fall accidents?
In Florida, slip and fall accidents often involve one of the following:
- Structural hazards: Poor maintenance or defects in handrails, staircases, and ramps can be a tripping hazard as well as steeper-than-average slopes or unstable surfaces.
- Damaged surfaces: Many falls are the result of gaps in concrete segments, cracked surfaces, and loose pavers.
- Slippery surfaces: Slip and fall accidents can happen when a spill isn’t cleaned up promptly, rain is tracked into a building, or a floor is mopped and left to dry without warning.
- Inadequate lighting: Building owners have a duty to provide sufficient lighting to recognize and avoid potential hazards.
- Nursing home negligence: About 60% of nursing home residents suffer a fall every year. these falls can be caused by poor supervision or negligence.
Many slip and fall accidents occur in cluttered areas, busy hallways, stairways, ladders, uneven surfaces or ground, or unguarded heights.
who is responsible for a slip and fall accident?
Under Florida law, business owners and property managers owe a duty of care to ensure their premises are reasonably safe. Due to changes to Florida’s slip and fall statute, injured parties must show that the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard that caused the accident.
Actual knowledge means the property owner saw or was told about the hazard or otherwise knew it existed while constructive knowledge means the property owner was reasonably expected to know of the hazard. For example, if the property owner knows it’s been raining all day and there are no non-skid mats at the entrance of the building, he or she has reasonable knowledge that the floor would be wet and dangerous.
HOW A FLORIDA SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY CAN HELP YOU
Slip and fall cases fall under premises liability law and these claims are notoriously complex as they require establishing fault. This requires gathering evidence of your accident and showing that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions.
A premises liability lawyer will begin by gathering documentation about your injuries and medical records to understand the extent of your injuries. Your accident will then be investigated thoroughly to gather evidence that may include:
- Security camera footage
- Witness statements
- Property maintenance logs
- Previous injury claims
- Photographs of the scene of the accident
An experienced personal injury lawyer understands what evidence needs to be gathered to prove your claim and knows what to look for. This evidence is crucial to establishing liability and proving your claim, but it must be done quickly before important evidence is lost.
Your attorney will also represent you and negotiate with the defense to seek the fair compensation you deserve for your injuries. If negotiations aren’t successful, your claim can be taken to trial.
CONTACT A SLIP AND FALL INJURY LAWYER IN FLORIDA
If you or someone you love has been seriously hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, GMV Law Group, LLP will aggressively represent you and fight for your best interests while investigating your accident, building your case, and negotiating with the insurance company. Contact GMV Law Group, LLP today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer in Florida to explore your legal options. We have English and Spanish speaking representatives ready to help you.
