Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of injury in the U.S. Slip and fall accidents account for more than one million emergency room visits each year. They are leading cause of missed days of work due to injury. The term “slip and fall” may sound like a minor accident, but this type of injury can have drastic effects. Lasting effects include serious physical harm, long-term complications, and a higher susceptibility to subsequent falls.
Whether your slip and fall accident happened on private property, at work, in a publicly maintained area, or at home, our Tampa slip and fall lawyers at Williams Law will work closely with you to determine where the liability lies for your injuries. Reach out to our team in Tampa to schedule a free initial case evaluation and we’ll be happy to let you know how we can help with your case. Call today!
Why You Need a Tampa Slip and Fall Attorney
Insurance companies may not treat your case fairly after a slip and fall accident. You might find yourself arguing with claims adjusters about the details of your accident, or facing an unreasonable claim denial or payment delay. Insurance companies want to save money by limiting your recovery as much as possible. Conversations with insurance claims adjusters can be especially stressful if you are in the hospital facing severe personal injuries from your fall.
Let an experienced Tampa slip and fall attorney handle the negotiations for you for the best possible case outcome. A slip and fall lawyer in Tampa can take over communications with insurance companies on your behalf while you focus on physical recovery. Your lawyer will make sure no one takes advantage of you during the claims process. Your attorney will fight for a full and fair settlement in Florida.
Working with a slip and fall attorney in Tampa minimizes the odds that you will have to take your case to court. If it does require a trial, however, a lawyer can help. As the plaintiff, or injured party, in a slip and fall trial, the burden of proof rests with you. It is your, or your attorney’s, responsibility to prove that the defendant breached a duty of care and caused your slip and fall accident. This burden of proof can be difficult if you do not have legal representation. A Tampa slip and fall attorney, however, will improve your chances of winning your case and securing a fair settlement or verdict.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
Hiring a law firm to handle your slip and fall accident case will make the process easier on you and your family. You are already dealing with enough as the victim of a serious injury. We believe you should not also have to worry about filing a claim, filling out confusing paperwork, speaking with insurance companies, and gathering documents. A Tampa slip, trip, and fall attorney can handle all of these tasks for you and more.
- Collect copies of police reports and medical records
- Subpoena copies of accident reports or maintenance files
- Determine how the slip and fall accident occurred
- Access video surveillance of the accident
- Interview eye witnesses
- Gather evidence of negligence
- File your claim with the Tampa courts
- Give trustworthy legal counsel
An experienced slip and fall lawyer will be on your side from the beginning. Your lawyer can revisit the scene of your accident, identify the defendant (e.g., a property owner or corporation), and build your case. Working with an attorney can give you peace of mind about your case. You can receive legal advice and know what steps to take next from your very first conversation with a slip and fall attorney in Tampa.
Slip and Fall Statistics
Slip and fall injuries are common in the workplace and represent the majority of workers’ compensation claims. Additionally, older adults are more susceptible to falling and sustaining injury. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, falls are the second-leading cause of injury-related death for people between the ages of 65 and 84. For people over 85 years of age, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents
Most slip and fall accidents lead to lawsuits under the purview of premises liability law. While every state has unique facets to their premises liability laws, this law generally applies to private property owners. Property owners have a legal duty to ensure their grounds and facilities are not hazardous to visitors to the property. If a hazard exists, the property owner must take adequate steps to prevent the conditions from causing injuries. The property owner should warn any visitors of the hazard.
It’s vital to recognize the distinction between lawful visitors and trespassers. A property owner has no legal obligation to prevent injury to trespassers or other unlawful visitors on the property. If a person entered the property without permission and sustains an injury that would normally lead to a premises liability lawsuit, the injured trespasser has no claim. The only exception to this is in the case of trespassing children. The law does not consider children to have the same level of self-awareness and propriety as adults, so property owners should take extra care if there is any possibility of a child wandering onto the property.
When Tampa Property Owners Are Liable for Falls
Property owners who welcome guests onto their properties must take care to keep their properties free from hazards. Some of the most common slip and fall hazards that lead to personal injury lawsuits include:
- Failing to clear away snow and ice
- Damaged structures such as stairwells and floorboards
- Unmarked wet floors
- Poor visibility or lighting, especially in stairwells
- Cluttered walkways
This is not an exhaustive list. Any injury that results from slipping and falling can lead to a premises liability lawsuit. To file such a lawsuit in Florida, meet with a Tampa personal injury attorney to determine your case’s value and your likelihood of succeeding with the suit in court.
Recoverable Damages After a Slip and Fall
The purpose of a civil case is to reimburse a victim for his or her damages. The damages, or types of compensation, you could recover during a slip and fall case will vary according to your losses. Your Tampa slip and fall lawyer will review your case and provide an estimate of its value. You and your lawyer may need to prove your damages with evidence such as receipts and expert testimony during a settlement or court case.
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional or mental anguish
- Property damage repairs
- Lost wages and capacity to earn
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages
Your recoverable damages will be the economic and noneconomic losses the defendant’s negligence caused. In a slip and fall case, common damages include hospital bills and missed time at work during recovery. Your lawyer can help you present evidence of your past and future losses to a judge or jury in pursuit of full and fair financial recovery. Speak to one of our attorneys today to learn the potential value of your slip and fall case.
Winning Your Case With a Qualified Tampa Slip and Fall Lawyer
To win a premises liability lawsuit against a property owner, a plaintiff must prove that the property owner failed in his or her duty of reasonable care to provide a safe and hazard-free environment. In many slip and fall cases, the plaintiff must prove that the property owner in question knew about the injury-causing hazard but did not address it in a timely or effective manner. The plaintiff must also prove that the property owner’s negligence caused actual harm in the form of bodily injury, property damage, or other losses.
Have You Been Injured Due To The Negligence Of Others? Williams Law, P.A. Is Here To Help.
If you or a loved one have been physically injured due to someone else's neglect you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Tampa, Florida law office directly at 800.451.6786 to schedule your free consultation. We help Florida residents just like you who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or other accident resulting in an injury. Remember, we work on a contingent basis, meaning you don't pay us anything until we win your case.
