Slip and fall accidents can happen to anyone, anywhere, and result in severe injuries and significant financial losses. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence or failure to maintain safe premises, you may be entitled to compensation. However, navigating the legal system can be overwhelming without assistance.
At SKG, we offer aggressive legal representation to our clients, upholding the highest standards of professional integrity. We believe everyone should have equal access to quality legal services, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. You will only pay our slip and fall accident lawyers if we win your case.
What Qualifies as a Slip and Fall Accident Case in Florida?
A “slip and fall” is the term used for an incident when someone trips, slips, or falls due to dangerous conditions on someone else’s property. To qualify as a slip and fall accident case, certain conditions must be met:
- The accident must have occurred on someone else’s property, such as a business, private residence, or public space.
- The property owner or occupier must have been negligent in maintaining the premises or warning visitors of potential hazards.
- The slip and fall accident must have resulted in some type of injury, such as a broken bone, sprain, or head injury.
If these conditions are met, the injured party may pursue a personal injury claim against the property owner or occupier to seek compensation for their damages. Our Florida lawyers will help investigate the slip and fall accident by reviewing relevant documents, such as incident reports, medical records, and witness statements.
Identifying the Liable Party
In most cases, the property owner or occupier is held responsible for the accident, as they have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for their visitors. However, liability can also extend to other parties, such as contractors, architects, or maintenance companies, if they created or maintained the hazardous condition that caused the accident.
We have represented hundreds of clients in premises liability cases against numerous entities, including:
- Supermarkets and convenience stores
- Department stores and shopping centers
- Office buildings
- Restaurants
- Schools
A skilled personal injury lawyer will help identify the liable parties in a slip and fall accident case and pursue compensation on your behalf. We will use all available evidence to determine the cause of your injuries and identify the responsible party. If needed, our slip and fall accident attorneys will also use witness statements and expert testimony to strengthen your case.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Florida
How you react immediately after the accident could determine the outcome of your case. While your safety and well-being should always be your priority, your next concern should be protecting your right to recover.
Report the Incident
To maximize your potential for recovery, immediately report your accident to the property owner or security company. Be sure to get a copy of the accident report. Furthermore, alerting the property owner or manager to the hazardous condition that caused the incident can prompt them to take corrective action and prevent future accidents.
Document the Scene
Critical evidence obtained early during the legal proceedings makes a slip and fall accident case easier to settle out of court. However, if a jury trial is necessary, this evidence is crucial in proving liability and damages.
If you have a camera at the time of the accident, take pictures of the scene, your clothing and shoes, and any warning signs surrounding the accident scene. If you have suffered any visible injuries, photograph these as well.
Preserve Evidence
Store all articles of clothing you wore during the accident in a plastic bag and tape it shut. Do not wash these items before storage. This way, you can help prevent contamination or loss of potential evidence, ensuring that it remains intact until it is examined by a qualified expert or presented as evidence in court.
Get Contact Information From People at the Scene
Try to get the name and phone number of any people who may have witnessed your fall. This will allow investigators to follow up quickly with a person of interest. Witnesses can provide an unbiased account of what they saw during the accident, including details you may not have been aware of, such as the exact location of the hazard that caused your injury.
Additionally, witnesses could help refute any claims made against you by the defense. For example, to diminish their liability, the at-fault party may argue that you were wearing inappropriate footwear or not paying attention to where you were going.
Seek Medical Care
Slip and fall accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may be serious and life-altering. Common injuries include broken bones, sprains, and strains, which can be caused by the impact of the fall or by attempting to break the fall with outstretched arms.
Seek medical treatment immediately after the incident. Do not be afraid to tell the doctor about any pain or discomfort you might experience.
What Not to Do After the Accident
After experiencing a slip and fall injury, knowing how to protect your health and legal rights can be difficult. While there are several things you should do, it is equally important to know what not to do. Failing to follow the correct procedures after an accident might harm your case and prevent you from obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
- DO NOT discuss or make any statements about your case with any employees or insurance representatives of the defendant without first speaking with your slip and fall injury lawyer.
- DO NOT accept any payment or sign releases without speaking to your attorney first. Doing so could waive your right to recovery.
- DO NOT share anything about the accident on social media. Any information you share can be used against you by the insurance company or the defendant. In fact, it would be best to stay off social media until your case concludes.
- DO NOT ignore or downplay the severity of your injuries, even if they initially seem minor. Seeking medical attention immediately after the accident ensures your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated.
Our slip and fall accident attorneys can safely guide you through recovery and protect your rights. We will offer you all the data you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Call a Florida Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Today
Being involved in a slip and fall accident can feel confusing, and you may feel unsure about your options to pursue compensation. The legal team at SKG will determine if you have a case, advise you of your legal rights, and represent you in settlement negotiations or any applicable court proceedings.
An experienced slip and fall lawyer will guide you through the process and provide invaluable knowledge about premises liability law. Don’t wait for justice; contact us to address your immediate concerns in a free case evaluation.