In Florida, slip and fall accidents can cause substantial injuries. If you were hurt in a fall due to someone else’s negligence, you could have the right to pursue legal action. You could be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries, lost income, and other damages.
A property owner has a duty to maintain their premises in a way that does not subject others to harm. If the property owner violated that obligation and you were harmed as a result, an experienced Florida slip and fall attorney can help you get the justice you deserve.
For more than five decades, the experienced personal injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has fought for accident victims. We offer a free consultation for Florida slip and fall accident victims. Our personal injury attorneys will answer your questions and provide the information you need to get started with the legal process.
Should you find yourself in a slip and fall situation, the next steps you take can have a profound effect on your future physical and financial well-being.
Seek immediate medical attention after any type of injury accident. After a slip and fall accident, this is even more important. A slip and fall accident can leave you with a head or brain injury, broken bones, dislocated joints, and neck or spine damage. Don’t hesitate to dial 911 and request emergency medical technicians to the scene.
If you don’t have EMTs evaluate you at the scene, visit an urgent care clinic or emergency room as soon as possible. Some types of slip and fall injuries can go undetected, for example, a brain injury that can potentially put your health at risk.
Keep copies of all medical treatment records including hospital emergency room visits, as these will be critical for documenting your legal claim.
It is important to identify the specific cause of a slip and fall immediately after the accident. If you slipped in a retail store due to a puddle of water, for example, make sure you take photos of the scene and the hazard that led to your fall. Once the store becomes aware of the accident, they will rush to clean it up as quickly as possible—effectively disposing of the evidence.
Identify any witnesses that were present for the accident and gather their contact information, including full name, phone number, email address, and a brief statement of what they observed. Ask for permission for your attorney to contact them later, too. The best witnesses have firsthand knowledge of the accident, meaning they actually saw the fall or observed the hazardous condition beforehand. Their independent and objective statements will help bolster your legal claim by corroborating your version of events, establishing the property owner’s negligence, and proving how long a dangerous condition existed.
Because slip and fall cases are often disputed, with some owners claiming the hazard was “open and obvious” or that the victim was careless, neutral third-party accounts can make or break your claim. A bystander may testify that they saw the spill 20 minutes before you fell, or that an employee walked past it without acting. Witnesses can also attest to your physical state immediately after the fall by confirming that you were in pain and that the injuries resulted from that specific incident, rather than a pre-existing condition.
Locate whoever has authority in the location, such as a store manager, and report your accident. Notifying a representative about your injuries is essential to officially document the incident. Taking this step protects your legal rights by creating a record that links your injury to the location. An incident report also serves as evidence of negligence for your case. It records the date, time, and specific hazardous conditions that caused your fall, such as a broken staircase. Now, obtain that individual’s contact information and request the insurance company’s information, so you can file a claim.
To recover damages in a slip and fall matter, you must show that the property owner failed to address or warn customers about a hazard before it was cleaned up or fixed. Insurance companies often require documentation that proves where and how your injury occurred. Armed with this report, the property owners cannot deny that the accident occurred, argue that it happened elsewhere, or claim your injuries are unrelated to your fall. Provide only the facts, such as where you slipped and what happened. Then, request a copy of the report for your records.
It’s important not to assume any blame. Avoid saying something like “I’m okay,” “I didn’t see that,” or “I’m sorry. Anything that implies you are not injured or apologizing is a no-no, as these statements can be used to limit your potential for compensation. You might be tempted to reach an out-of-court settlement with the property owner without consulting a personal injury attorney. Don’t do it! The insurance company isn’t on your side, and its primary interest is to pay you as little as possible. The insurance company won’t negotiate a fair settlement if they think you are simply looking for quick cash.
Preserving your clothing and shoes after a slip and fall accident is crucial because they serve as vital, physical evidence to prove negligence, identify the hazard, and establish causation. Substances picked up from the floor, such as cleaning solutions, food, or debris, can prove exactly what caused the fall. The clothing can show, for example, that you slipped on a specific liquid because it is on your pants.
Defendants often argue that inappropriate footwear, including high heels or those with worn-out soles, caused the accident. Keeping your shoes can prove they were in good condition with proper tread before you fell. If you lose or destroy your shoes, a judge might instruct a jury to assume your footwear was a factor.
Do not wash or clean your clothes or shoes, as doing so destroys crucial evidence. Instead, place them separately in plastic bags immediately to preserve debris or residue. It is also helpful to take detailed photos of your clothing and the soles of your shoes from multiple angles and give these images to your lawyer as soon as possible.
You want to ensure you protect your claim once you leave the scene of your slip and fall accident. One of the best things you can do is avoid social media. Do not post photos, comments, or details about the accident or your health online. It is, however, a good idea to keep a recovery journal. Jot down a record of your pain levels, physical limitations, and how the injuries affect your daily life and emotional state. This account will help build a case for pain and suffering. Now, contact a qualified personal injury attorney.
Injuries from a slip and fall accident can be life-changing, so it’s important to take the right steps after an injury. The best course of action is to contact a personal injury lawyer who will advocate for you every step of the way. A slip and fall settlement can provide the financial resources you need for medical treatment and to pay your bills until you can get back to work. The personal injury lawyers of Rue & Ziffra handle everything for you, giving you the time that you need to recover and get your life back on track.
We offer a free consultation and case evaluation for injury accident victims throughout Florida. We will come to your location or, if you prefer, facilitate your consultation by phone or video conference. Contact us online or call 1-800-JUSTICE now to speak to one of our experienced, compassionate Florida slip and fall lawyers.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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