Slip and fall accidents are not uncommon in the state of Florida. They can happen at any time, anywhere, leaving you or a family member with injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. When you are on another individual’s property, they have the legal responsibility to ascertain a safe environment. At the very least, they are required to warn you about potentially dangerous or hazardous conditions on the premises.
If you or a family member has sustained an injury following a slip and fall accident that’s linked to the negligent acts of a property owner or manager, you may be eligible for compensation. However, proving liability in such accidents is not always easy and that’s why it is advisable to seek a slip and fall lawyer in West Palm Beach. The team at Steinberg Law has years of experience in this field and has helped numerous West Palm Beach residents secure compensation for all types of personal injury cases. Call us today at 877-783-4611 to learn more about your legal options.
What are the Most Common Slip & Fall Accidents in Florida?
Most slip and fall accidents are preventable if people and entities take the right precautions to make sure their premises are safe for visitors, clients, and employees. Some of the common slip and fall accidents in FL include:
- Wet surfaces
- Poorly lit walkways and hallways
- Broken staircases
- Broken escalators
- Failure to put warning signs or limit access to places with dangerous conditions
- Structural defects or improper surface maintenance
- Uncleaned spills in malls, stores, hospitals, office buildings, etc.
How Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer in West Palm Beach Help Me?
Following a slip and fall accident, lawyers like those from Steinberg Law can help you in an array of ways including:
Accident Investigation
For a successful slip and fall claim, you are required to demonstrate that the property owner or landlord was negligent, and thus the accident. However, this can be hard to prove but with a seasoned premises liability lawyer, you will be able to gather the necessary evidence through a comprehensive investigation.
Evidence Collection
Evidence is essential in proving liability. With the help of a lawyer, you will be able to collect the necessary evidence such as footage from security cameras.
Claim Evaluation
There are numerous types of damages recoverable when it comes to slip and fall accidents. These include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, and more. Some are easy to calculate while others are not. A lawyer will help come up with a figure that ascertains fair compensation.
Handling Insurance Companies
Insurers are never your friends when it comes to slip and fall claims. They will try every tactic to deny or reduce the amount owed to you. With an experienced lawyer on your side, they won’t be able to take advantage of your situation and the attorney will negotiate for a fair settlement.
What Steps Should You Take to Help Your Slip & Fall Claim?
In order to be your best advocate in a slip and fall accident, we recommend doing the following:
Take Photos and Videos
If possible, take as many photographs and videos of the accident scene as possible including your injuries. Do not forget to capture the condition that caused the slip and fall. This can be a wet floor, poor lighting, broken stairs, etc.
Report the Accident to the Manager
If the accident happened on business premises, ensure you report it to the manager or supervisor before leaving. This will ensure they are aware and that a report regarding the incident is made. Do not forget to obtain a copy of the same.
Collect Witness Contacts
If someone saw the accident, you’ll want to collect their contact information including name, phone number, address, etc. That’s because they may a crucial role in backing your story and proving liability.
Seek Medical Attention
It is imperative that you visit a physician following a slip and fall accident. This ensures that you protect your health and also legal rights. With a diagnosis from an experienced doctor, you will be able to strengthen your case through the documentation of every injury. Keep in mind that the insurance company will likely ask for a medical report when you file a claim.
If Possible Have the Issue Solved Right Away
If possible, have the slip and fall cause addressed right away so that no one else experiences the same. However, ensure you do so only after taking photos and videos of the condition.
How Can a West Palm Beach Slip & Fall Case Be Proved?
Following a slip and fall accident, you will be required to prove that the landlord, supervisor, manager, or property owner was negligent in regard to maintaining the property’s safety. To do so, the following apply:
- The occupier, manager, landlord, or owner created or was aware of a dangerous condition or hazard but did not address it, thus the slip and fall.
- The manager, owner, landlord, or occupier should have been reasonably aware of the hazard and taken action
- You as the victim, were not aware of the dangerous situation or physical hazard as you could not see it, or there were no warning signs.
However, you should bear in mind that the factors that lead to slip and fall accidents are unique in each case. A seasoned slip and fall lawyer in West Palm Beach will assess the specifics of your case and provide advice on the best course of action.
How is Liability Determined in Slip & Fall Accidents, FL?
Slip and fall accident claims fall under the premises liability aspect where the main question is if the person in charge of the property breached a duty of care. As mentioned earlier, the property owner, landlord, or manager has the legal responsibility to protect against, repair, and give warnings against potential dangers they are aware of or should be aware of.
When filing a slip and fall accident claim, expect to be asked the following questions by several parties in regards to their legal duty to ascertain a safe environment for occupants, guests, clients, and employees:
- Did you have a feasible reason to be on the property when the accident happened?
- Would an individual of reasonable caution, without distraction, have avoided the dangerous or hazardous condition if they were in the same situation?
- Were you doing something that could have contributed to the accident, and thus injuries?
- Did the premises owner, landlord, manager, or occupier give a warning regarding the situation that resulted in the slip and fall accident?
How Much is My Slip & Fall Claim Worth?
If you or a family member sustained substantial injuries from a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of another party, you might be wondering how much your case is worth. Well, there are multiple factors that come into play in determining how much your claim is worth.
Our slip and fall lawyers at Steinberg Law have been in the industry for years and know how to deal with these cases. We’ll ask you a few specific questions in order to fully evaluate your case and come up with a figure that you deserve for your injuries and losses. Note that we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not have to pay us anything unless you have won the case. That’s why we take slip and fall cases seriously from the start to ensure your rights are protected and that you get the justice you deserve.
Are There Any Time Limits for Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Florida?
Also referred to as the statute of limitations, the state of Florida has a time limit of 4 years when it comes to personal injury claims including slip and fall accidents. Failure to meet this deadline means you have no legal ground to make a claim, regardless of the party at fault.
There are exceptions, however, when you were injured on government-owned property. In this case, you have to file an administrative claim and the time limit is usually six months from the date of the accident.
Our slip and fall lawyers will help you comprehend these deadlines and that’s why it’s advisable to hire a lawyer as early as possible. You might be dealing with a complicated case and even if you were the victim, failure to meet deadlines strips you of the right to make a claim.
Have You Been Injured From a Slip and Fall? Hire the Best Lawyers in West Palm Beach Florida!
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries from a slip and fall accident, be it from a commercial property, public property, or a friend’s place, you may be eligible for compensation. While the law stipulates this, the claims process is not always straightforward particularly when it comes to proving liability. Given the many factors involved and the habit of insurance companies denying claims, hiring a slip and fall accident lawyer is highly recommended.
The team at Steinberg Law is here to fight for your rights! Call our offices at 877-783-4611 for a free initial consultation!
