Slip and Fall Lawyer in Boca Raton

Source: www.travelers.com

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Boca Raton

Slip and fall accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons. Here are some of the most frequent causes:

Wet or Slippery Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents are commonly caused by wet or slippery surfaces. This can include spills, rain, snow, and ice.

Uneven Surfaces

Uneven surfaces can be hazardous and cause people to trip and fall. These surfaces can include cracked sidewalks, potholes, and uneven flooring.

Poor Lighting

Poor lighting can make it difficult for people to see obstacles or hazards in their path, increasing the likelihood of a slip and fall accident.

Improper Footwear

Wearing inappropriate footwear can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. High heels, flip flops, and shoes with worn-out soles can all contribute to slips and falls.

Cluttered Walkways

Cluttered walkways, such as those with boxes, cords, or other obstacles, can cause people to trip and fall.

Negligent Maintenance

Negligent maintenance of the property can lead to hazardous conditions, such as broken handrails or loose floorboards, which can cause slip and fall accidents.

Weather Conditions

Extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, can create hazardous conditions and increase the risk of slip and fall accidents.

Lack of Warning Signs

The absence of warning signs, such as “wet floor” signs or caution signs, can make it difficult for people to recognize and avoid hazardous conditions.

Florida Slip And Fall Accident Statistics

In Florida, slip and fall accidents are the main reason for fatal and non-fatal injuries that Florida residents aged 65 years and older suffer from. 11.8 out of 100,000 people die from slip and fall injuries in Florida. Over 20% of occupational injuries were slip and fall accidents in Florida, which is more than the national average.

What to Do After You Got an Injury in a Slip And Fall Accident?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your health and legal rights:

Seek Medical Attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Some injuries, such as head trauma or internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent.

Report the Incident

Report the incident to the property owner or manager, and obtain a copy of the incident report. This report can be useful when filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Document the Scene

Take photos or videos of the scene where the accident occurred, including any hazards or dangerous conditions that contributed to the accident. This evidence can help support your case.

Obtain Witness Information

If there were any witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information. Witness testimony can be valuable in proving liability and damages.

Consult With an Attorney

Consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience in slip and fall cases. They can advise you on your legal rights and help you pursue compensation for your injuries.

Keep Records

Keep a detailed record of all medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident. This information can be used to support your claim for damages.

Follow Doctor’s Orders

Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all medical appointments to ensure your injuries are properly treated and documented.

Don’t Sign Anything

Do not sign any documents or accept any settlements before consulting with an attorney. Insurance companies may try to offer a low settlement to avoid paying out a larger amount in the future.

Most Common Injuries

You might have suffered from serious injuries after your slip and fall accident. Some of the most common injuries you may have encountered include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common in slip and fall accidents and can have serious long-term effects. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, and memory loss. You could suffer from this if you slip on a wet floor and hit your head on a hard surface, causing a TBI.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can result in back and spinal cord injuries, which can cause chronic pain and mobility issues. Examples include herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage. This can happen to someone who falls down a flight of stairs and suffers a spinal cord injury. In rare instances, it may even result in a wrongful death.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures and broken bones are common in slip and fall accidents, particularly in the wrists, ankles, and hips. Someone who slips on ice can break their wrist, for example.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and contusions, are also common in slip and fall accidents. These injuries can cause pain and limit mobility. This could be a person who slips on a wet surface and sprains their ankle.

Cuts and Bruises

Cuts and bruises are minor injuries that can still cause pain and discomfort. They are often caused by slipping on a hard surface or bumping into an object during a fall.You could slip on a wet floor and cut your arm on a sharp object.

Internal Injuries

Slip and fall accidents can also cause internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately apparent and can be life-threatening. An example is a person who falls down a flight of stairs and suffers internal bleeding.

Emotional Trauma

Slip and fall accidents can cause emotional trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Victims can develop a fear of walking after slipping and falling on an icy sidewalk.

How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident

Proving negligence in a slip and fall accident requires the attorney to show that the property owner or occupier was responsible for creating or allowing a hazardous condition to exist on their premises and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the accident. Here are the steps that can help in proving negligence in a slip and fall accident:

Show Duty of Care

The first step in proving negligence is for your attorney to show that the property owner had a duty of care to maintain a safe environment for visitors.

Establish Breach of Duty

The next step is for your lawyer to establish that the property owner breached their duty of care by either creating or allowing a hazardous condition to exist.

Demonstrate Cause

The third step is for your attorney to demonstrate that the hazardous condition was the direct cause of the slip and fall accident and the injuries sustained.

Damages

Your damages must also be directly linked to the accident, such as medical bills and a doctor’s statement.

Prove Foreseeability

It must also be proven that the property owner could have reasonably foreseen the hazardous condition and taken steps to prevent the slip and fall accident.

Evidence Collection

Collecting evidence is crucial to proving negligence in a slip and fall accident. Your attorney may include photographs or videos of the hazardous condition, witness statements, and medical records.

Reasons That a Premises Owner May Be Held Liable

There are many reasons why your attorney can find the other party at fault. For example:

Failure to Clean Up Spills

If a property owner fails to promptly clean up spills or wet floors, it can create a hazardous condition for visitors. An example would be a grocery store that fails to clean up a spill in the aisle, causing a customer to slip and fall.

Uneven Surfaces

Uneven surfaces, such as cracked or broken pavement, can create a tripping hazard for visitors. For example, a property owner may fail to repair a broken step, causing a visitor to trip and fall.

Lack of Warning Signs

If a hazardous condition exists on the property, the property owner should provide warning signs or barriers to alert visitors of the danger. An example of this is a construction site that fails to post warning signs or barricades, causing a pedestrian to fall into a construction pit.

Failure to Maintain Property

When a property owner fails to maintain the property, it can create hazardous conditions that can lead to slip and fall accidents. For example, a property owner who fails to repair a leaky roof, causing water to accumulate on the floor and creating a slip hazard could be held liable.

Inadequate Security

Inadequate security can create dangerous conditions for visitors, such as inadequate lighting or lack of surveillance cameras. For example, a hotel that fails to provide adequate security measures may cause a visitor to be assaulted in a poorly lit parking lot.

Compensations Available in a Slip and Fall Case

Compensation in a slip and fall case can vary depending on the extent of the injuries and the specific circumstances of the case. Here are some types of compensation that may be available in a slip and fall case:

Medical Expenses

The victim of a slip and fall accident may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, including hospital bills, medication, physical therapy, and any other related costs.

Lost Wages

If you are unable to work due to their injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, including past and future income.

Pain and Suffering

Slip and fall victims may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, including physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.

Property Damage

If personal property was damaged in the slip and fall accident, the victim may be entitled to compensation for the cost of repair or replacement.

Wrongful Death Settlements

In cases where the victim dies as a result of the slip and fall accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.

Why Do You Need a Slip and Fall Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, hiring a slip and fall lawyer can be beneficial for several reasons. Here are some of the services that a slip and fall lawyer can provide:

Investigating the Accident

A slip and fall lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault and gather evidence to support your case. They can obtain surveillance footage, witness statements, and any other relevant information to build a strong case on your behalf.

Handling Communication with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim or deny your claim altogether. A slip and fall lawyer can handle communication with the insurance company on your behalf, negotiating for a fair settlement that takes into account all of your damages.

Providing Legal Guidance

Slip and fall lawyers have extensive knowledge of personal injury law and can provide legal guidance on the best course of action to take. They can advise you on whether to accept a settlement offer or take your case to trial and can help you make informed decisions about your case.

Calculating Damages

Your slip and fall lawyer can help you calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They can work with medical experts and other professionals to determine the long-term costs of your injuries and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses.

Representing You in Court

If your case goes to trial, a slip and fall lawyer can represent you in court and present a strong case on your behalf. They can argue for your right to compensation and fight to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of damages possible.

Source: safestart.com

Slip and Fall Accident Common Questions and Answers

Here are some common slip and fall accident questions and answers:

Who is liable for a slip and fall accident?

Liability for a slip and fall accident usually falls on the property owner or manager, who has a duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors.

What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident?

Seek medical attention for your injuries and document the accident by taking photos of the scene, obtaining contact information from witnesses, and reporting the incident to the property owner or manager.

Can I sue for a slip and fall accident on public property?

You may be able to file a claim against the government or municipality responsible for maintaining the public property where the accident occurred.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit?

The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall lawsuit varies by state, but it is generally between one to three years after the date of the accident.

How much compensation can I receive for a slip and fall accident?

The amount of compensation you can receive for a slip and fall accident depends on the severity of your injuries and other damages you have suffered, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help you determine the potential value of your case.

What is premises liability exactly?

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of property owners to maintain safe conditions on their property. Slip and fall accidents are a common example of premises liability claims.

What if I was partially at fault for my slip and fall accident?

Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover damages. However, your compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

Can I file a slip and fall lawsuit if I was injured on someone’s private property?

Yes, you may be able to file a claim against the property owner or homeowner’s insurance policy for your injuries and damages.

What types of damages can I recover in a slip and fall lawsuit?

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses.

How can a slip and fall lawyer help me if I’m injured in an accident?

A slip and fall lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, calculate damages, and represent you in court if necessary, ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. For more information, call Scott The Lawyer for a free consultation. There are no upfront costs because we work on a contingency fee basis.