There are multiple dangerous conditions that can lead to a slip and fall. The location where the most common slip and fall accidents occur is in businesses due to spills or uneven flooring. A severe slip and fall injury can carry lifelong consequences, including high medical bills and lost income.
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service that can put you in contact with a vast network of personal injury lawyers in Pensacola. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact a lawyer to discuss your slip and fall case.
Florida’s Slip and Fall Laws
There are specific elements you must prove in a slip-and-fall accident to hold a property owner liable. You must show that the property owner had knowledge of the potential fall risk in order for them to be held liable.
Knowledge of the risk can be proven by showing:
- The hazardous condition was present for a long enough duration that the property owner should have been aware of it as part of their due care.
- The dangerous condition occurs regularly. Therefore, it should have been foreseeable by the property owner.
You have a set time limit for filing a lawsuit in Florida, known as a statute of limitations. If a slip and fall lawsuit does not get filed before that deadline, you will lose your right to seek legal action, even if the property owner is responsible for your injuries. The premises liability claims process can be complicated and timely, and having an experienced lawyer working for you will help ensure your premises liability claim is filed before the deadline.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Pensacola
Slip and fall accidents can occur just about anywhere in a variety of ways. You have likely seen the “wet floor” signs displayed in a business after a section of the floor has been mopped, for example. This signage is displayed by property owners to warn visitors and customers that a hazard is present and should be avoided. When a manager or property owner has failed to display such warnings or does not remove or repair the hazard quickly, they could be sued for negligence.
Some of the common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Loose mats, floorboards, or rugs
- Cables and other obstructions in walkways
- Lack of handrails on a staircase
- Poor lighting that makes it difficult to see
- Splashed oil or grease that is not cleaned up properly
- Potholes in parking lots or a property’s driveway
- Uneven or broken staircases
- Uncleaned leaks or spills
- Debris or trash in walkways and on the floor
- Quick transitions from flooring types such as carpet to linoleum
Determining the Value of a Slip and Fall Claim under Florida Law
There are several factors in determining the value of your slip and fall claim. The severity and nature of your injuries will be determined by a qualified medical doctor and through testing such as MRI scans and X-rays. It is crucial you receive treatment from a family doctor, hospital, orthopedic surgeon, chiropractor, or other medical specialists. You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses: All medical expenses, including hospital visits, ambulance rides, doctor’s visits, medications, durable medical equipment, and other medically necessary treatment, may be claimed as damages for your injuries
- Lost wages: If your injuries leave you out of work while you recover from your slip and fall accident, you may claim damages for lost wages.
- Lost earning capacity: If your injuries leave you unable to earn a living, you may claim lost earning capacity. For example, if your injury keeps you from performing your job ever again and you have to take a lower-paying position, you can recover compensation for that loss.
- Pain and suffering: It is difficult to quantify pain and suffering, but factors such as the required treatment, severity of the injury, recovery time, and impact on your life will be considered. A knowledgeable and experienced slip-and-fall lawyer can work closely with you to place value on these damages.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: If your slip and fall injury keeps you from enjoying the lifestyle you had prior to the accident, you can claim these damages.
- Mental anguish: Serious injury victims often re-live severe accidents. Emotional trauma can greatly hinder someone’s life.
- Additional out-of-pocket expenses: Any additional expenses incurred directly related to your slip and fall injuries will be considered when your lawyer files your claim.
- Punitive damages: These damages are typically only awarded in the most severe personal injury cases and only when the liable party acted out of malice. Punitive damages are used to discourage similar misconduct in the future. These damages are not to compensate you for your injury.
Your Pensacola slip and fall attorney can help calculate your damages and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Prove Negligence For Your Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall cases occur all too frequently in Florida. You have the right to visit stores and private property with a reasonable level of safety. It’s the responsibility of the premise owner to ensure all guests are aware of any potential dangers or to clean up or repair any potential slip and fall hazards.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your damages. Contact 1-800-Injured using our secure online form to find a knowledgeable and aggressive Pensacola personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights and seek the compensation you deserve.