The Winter Haven slip and fall attorneys at the Rivas Law Group have successfully represented clients injured in accidents that were caused by the negligent actions of others. Florida’s premises liability laws hold property owners responsible for the safety of those who visit their property. If you were injured in a slip, trip or fall accident that took place on someone else’s property because of negligence, you may be entitled to collect compensation for the damages resulting from your injuries.
Slip and fall accidents cause many serious injuries and even deaths in Florida each year. Nationally, slips and fall injuries result in about 1 million emergency room visits each year. Falls can result in broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Seniors are particularly at risk for these types of accidents; slips and falls are responsible for a majority of hip fractures among elderly patients.
Slips and Falls Can Happen Anywhere
Slips, trips and falls can happen just about anywhere: at home, while shopping, while visiting friends, in a hospital or nursing home, on the job or during school. Slip and fall accidents that can result in a premises liability claim include:
- Wet floors
- Wet sidewalks
- Lack of wet floor warning signs
- Debris and other obstructions on the floors
- Inadequate lighting
- Electrical cords, extension cables, wiring, computer cables, etc.
- Uneven pavement
- Broken sidewalks
- Improperly placed product displays
- Cracked or warped driveways and pavement
- Leaking pipes
- Defective stairways
- Broken or missing handrails
- Wrinkled rugs
Recovering Compensation for your Slip and Fall Injuries
In Florida, property owners have a “duty of care” to protect visitors and business invitees from harm while on their premises. When they fail to do so, the injured party can seek financial compensation from the property owner by filing a premises liability lawsuit.
According to Florida law, in order to be successful in a premises liability claim, you must be able to show that:
- The defendant owned the property.
- The defendant knew or should have known about the dangerous conditions on their property.
- The defendant failed to fix the problem or provide warning about the dangerous condition.
- A plaintiff’s slip and fall injuries resulted from the property owner’s negligence.
Depending on the circumstances in your case, you may be able to recover compensation for the pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages stemming from your injuries.
Slip and Fall Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do if I Fall on Someone Else’s Property in Florida?
Every case is a bit different, but there are a few things that you should do immediately after a slip and fall injury, no matter the circumstances. First, you should seek medical attention, even if you aren’t seriously injured. Some injuries might not immediately exhibit symptoms, and having documentation of any injury is vital to your case.
Getting contact info for anyone who might have witnessed your fall is very important as well.
You’ll also need to report your accident to the property owner, or whoever may be in charge of the property.
Take pictures of the dangerous conditions that caused your fall. Many property owners might fix the dangerous area after an injury.
Last, call an accident attorney. Do this before you call your insurance or give an extensive statement to the property owner.
Are There any Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Slip and Fall Accident?
It may hurt your case if you FAIL to do the following things after a slip and fall accident:
• Report the Accident
• Seek medical attention
• File a claim in a timely manner
• Collect evidence
• Keep your mouth shut. Talking to anyone other than your attorney about your accident could hurt your case.
• Consider the total cost of your injury
• Contact a lawyer
How Much does Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
In Florida, lawyers are required to provide a written statement up front that explains their personal injury fees. Fees are usually asses in one of three ways- contingency, retainer, or hourly. Contingency means your attorney will receive a percentage of the amount recovered in the case once an agreement has been reached. Retainer means you pay a set fee up front and the lawyer draws from that money as they work on your case. Hourly means that you pay for the number of hours worked by your attorney.
At Rivas Law Firm, we operate on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay until the case has been settled or won in court.
Winter Haven Slip and Fall Attorney Is Here for You
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a slip, trip or fall accident that occurred due to a property owner’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries.
Winter Haven slip and fall attorney Tania Rivas and the Rivas Law Group have helped numerous clients obtain significant settlements for injuries caused in premises liability accidents in Winter Haven and other Florida communities. We possess the extensive legal knowledge, resources and skills to obtain the evidence needed to prove your case, aggressively negotiate on your behalf with the insurance companies, and hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions.
If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t put off seeking legal help. Call Rivas Law Group today at (863) 299-5539 to schedule a free consultation an experienced Winter Haven personal injury lawyer. We are here to discuss the details in your case and provide sound legal advice on the best way to proceed with your claim.
