Whether you are visiting a public space, a government building, or private property, you have the legal right to expect that the property owner or manager has taken appropriate care to ensure that you will not be injured as a result of negligent maintenance. When someone is injured on someone else’s property because of an avoidable hazard this can trigger a civil case based on premise liability torts. As a victim, your first step is to establish proof that the manager or owner of the property should be held liable, before moving on and determining how much you deserve as the victim in this unfortunate accident.
One of the first steps, and a decision that will be significant during your claim process to come, is hiring a competent and experienced slip and fall attorney who is able to represent your case and help you towards success. On your own, this process can be overwhelming and frustrating, but with an attorney by your side, you can focus on the important things, like rest and recovery, knowing that your lawyer is fighting on your behalf. Finding the appropriate attorney for your needs can be difficult, but when you work through 1-800-Injured, you can avoid this difficulty.
1-800-Injured will give you access to a strong network of diligent slip and fall lawyers in Orlando who are ready to take your case as soon as possible. Call now for a free initial consultation so that you can start building your case immediately, and get the money you deserve sooner, rather than later. Read more below to get a better general idea of what a slip and fall case entails in Florida, and contact us now to be connected with a legal professional for your needs.
About Slip and Fall Accident Law
As mentioned above, slips and falls are covered by tort law, meaning that the penalties are civil in nature and the victim is able to seek compensation for their injuries. In order for you to first determine whether or not your situation will qualify for a personal injury claim after a slip and fall, you will need to answer the following questions:
- There was a hazard present on the property that the defendant either knew about and ignored or should have reasonably been aware of. This is known as a “duty of care” and you will need to prove that the defendant failed this duty of care due to negligence.
- You were injured as a result of this hazard by slipping or tripping and falling
- Your injuries have measurable damages
If you are able to answer “yes” to these questions, then this is a great first step towards getting the compensation and damages that you are rightfully entitled to. Once you and your attorney have established the basis of your case, you will then work together in order to determine the amount of money that you should be seeking as compensation.
Proving Liability in a Slip and Fall
A few examples of these slip and fall accidents are instances where you may slip on a wet floor due to a broken jar in a grocery store or because of a leaky pipe in the ceiling. You will need to prove that the property manager either knew about the wet floor or that they should have clearly known about the issue before you were injured. They will likely counter-argue that you should have recognized the danger and taken the appropriate steps to avoid the accident.
Calculating Damages in a Slip and Fall in Orlando
Once liability has been determined, you and your lawyer will set out to calculate the damages that you are owed. They will include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are 1:1 compensation for the measurable financial impacts of your injuries, such as medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages seek compensation for things like pain and suffering, emotional anguish, or depression. Both are equally important but calculated differently.
Hire a Slip and Fall Lawyer To Get the Treatment You Deserve
When you are trying to work alone against a legal team or insurance company in order to get compensated for your injuries, it will be you against a group who is completely focused on either invalidating your claim entirely or limiting the money that they pay you to as little as possible. This, while you are trying to recover from the injuries that you received.
When you work with an attorney, they are able to handle all of your legal issues while you are focusing on recovering from your injuries, returning to work, and getting your life back on track. It has been proven in many studies that stress plays a role in physical recovery, and your slip and fall injuries are no different.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
The following list is comprised of just a few examples of common injuries from a slip and fall accident. These are listed to give you examples, not as an exhaustive list. Whether or not you see an injury below that resembles your own experience, contact 1-800-Injured now to be referred to an attorney who will work on your case.
- Bone Fractures
- Sprains
- Bruising
- Internal Bleeding
- Traumatic Brain Injury
What To Do After Slip and Fall Accident
As with any accident, the actual steps to take immediately following depend on a variety of things, starting with your ability to make these decisions on your own.
Call 911
Whether you or someone in the area calls, it is important that the proper authorities are alerted of the accident by calling 911. Orlando-based first responders will be dispatched to the location and begin to administer emergency care. Be sure to give all of the details to the police for their report, which will play a central role in your case once you begin your claim.
Contact a Medical Professional
Whether you need to take an ambulance to the emergency room or you are able to leave the scene of the accident under your own power, it is absolutely essential that you see a doctor and have your injuries examined as soon as possible. In addition to the care you receive, this will add to the documentation that will support your case.
Hire a Slip and Fall Attorney in Orlando
Before even contacting an insurance company about your injury, you will set yourself up with the best chances of success by partnering with an attorney who has a history of success and experience with slip and fall cases in Florida. As soon as you initiate your claim, every statement or action that you take with the insurance company will be used as a way to further limit your award, but your attorney will be able to take steps to maximize your settlement.
Contact 1-800-Injured as soon as possible to get connected with a skilled, aggressive lawyer for your needs.