Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida: Understanding Your Rights and Legal Options

Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common types of personal injury cases in Florida. These accidents can happen almost anywhere—on sidewalks, in stores, restaurants, office buildings, or private homes. While they might sound minor, slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma, and back injuries, leading to costly medical bills and long recovery periods.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation. The Corry Law Firm in Tallahassee is here to help victims of slip and fall accidents recover the compensation they need to move forward.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, often due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:

• Wet or slippery floors: Spills, leaks, or recently mopped floors that aren’t properly marked with warning signs can lead to slips.
• Uneven surfaces: Cracked or uneven sidewalks, damaged flooring, or loose carpets can cause a person to trip and fall.
• Cluttered walkways: Boxes, cords, or other obstacles left in walkways can be dangerous for pedestrians, leading to trips and falls.
• Poor lighting: Dimly lit areas, such as stairwells or parking lots, can make it difficult to see potential hazards, increasing the risk of falling.
• Broken stairs or handrails: Stairs that are not maintained or lack secure handrails can easily cause someone to fall.
• Weather-related conditions: Rain, ice, or snow tracked into buildings without proper maintenance or warning can create hazardous walking surfaces.

While slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, it’s often the responsibility of the property owner or manager to ensure that their premises are safe for visitors. When they fail to do so, victims may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.

Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents

A slip and fall might sound like a minor incident, but the injuries sustained from these accidents can be severe, especially for older adults. Some common injuries include:

• Broken bones: Fractures in the arms, legs, hips, and wrists are common in slip and fall accidents, particularly when someone tries to brace themselves during a fall.
• Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions can occur if a person hits their head on the ground or another hard surface.
• Spinal cord injuries: Falls can result in serious spinal cord injuries, which may cause long-term mobility issues or even paralysis.
• Back and neck injuries: Herniated discs, strains, or sprains in the back or neck are common in slip and fall accidents and may require extensive physical therapy.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and deep bruising are common soft tissue injuries that can result in significant pain and limited mobility.

These injuries can lead to extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, they may be responsible for covering the costs associated with your recovery.

Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents

In Florida, slip and fall accidents are typically governed by premises liability laws. These laws hold property owners responsible for maintaining safe conditions on their property and protecting visitors from harm. If a property owner fails to address a dangerous condition or warn visitors of potential hazards, they may be held liable for any injuries that occur as a result.

To prove a premises liability claim, you must show the following:

1. Duty of care: The property owner or manager owed you a duty of care, meaning they were responsible for keeping the premises reasonably safe for visitors.
2. Breach of duty: The property owner or manager breached this duty by failing to address a dangerous condition or warn you of potential hazards.
3. Injury caused by the breach: You must show that the dangerous condition directly caused your injuries.
4. Damages: You must prove that you suffered damages as a result of the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

There are different types of visitors to a property, and the level of duty owed by the property owner can vary depending on your status:

• Invitees: These are people who have been invited onto the property for business purposes, such as customers in a store. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees and must take reasonable steps to keep the property safe.
• Licensees: These are social guests or others who are on the property for non-business purposes. Property owners owe a moderate duty of care to licensees, meaning they must warn of known hazards but are not necessarily required to inspect for potential dangers.
• Trespassers: Property owners generally owe little to no duty of care to trespassers. However, they cannot intentionally create dangerous conditions that could harm someone.

Understanding these distinctions can help clarify your legal rights after a slip and fall accident.

Comparative Negligence in Florida Slip and Fall Cases

Florida follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you may still recover compensation for your injuries. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for the accident (perhaps because you weren’t paying attention when you slipped), and the property owner is found to be 80% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. In this case, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $80,000 after the reduction for your share of the fault.

Because of Florida’s comparative negligence rule, property owners and their insurance companies often try to place as much blame as possible on the injured party to reduce the amount they must pay. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced attorney who can help minimize your fault and maximize your compensation.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, the steps you take immediately after the incident can significantly impact your ability to file a successful claim. Here’s what you should do:

1. Seek medical attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
2. Report the accident: Notify the property owner or manager about the accident as soon as possible. Make sure to get a written report, especially if the accident occurred at a business.
3. Document the scene: Take photos of the area where you fell, including any hazards (like wet floors, poor lighting, or uneven surfaces) that contributed to the accident. If there were any witnesses, collect their contact information.
4. Keep records: Save all medical bills, receipts, and other documentation related to your injuries. These will be important when proving the extent of your damages.
5. Consult with a personal injury attorney: Slip and fall cases can be complicated, and having an experienced lawyer on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. At The Corry Law Firm, we can investigate your accident, gather evidence, and help you build a strong case for compensation.

Compensation for Slip and Fall Accidents

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including:

• Medical expenses: This includes emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments related to your injuries.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be compensated for the wages you’ve lost as a result.
• Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, may also be part of your compensation.
• Permanent disability: If your injuries result in permanent disability or disfigurement, you may be entitled to additional compensation for the long-term effects on your life.
• Property damage: If any personal belongings were damaged in the accident, such as clothing or electronics, you may recover the cost of repairs or replacement.

Why Choose The Corry Law Firm?

At The Corry Law Firm, we have extensive experience representing clients in slip and fall cases throughout Florida. Here’s why you should trust us with your case:

• Proven results: We have a strong track record of success in personal injury cases, helping clients recover the compensation they deserve.
• Personalized attention: Every slip and fall case is unique, and we’ll work closely with you to build a case tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
• Aggressive representation: We know how to deal with insurance companies and defense attorneys who may try to minimize your claim. We’ll fight for your rights every step of the way.

Conclusion

Slip and fall accidents can have serious consequences, but you don’t have to face the legal process alone. At The Corry Law Firm, we’re here to help you navigate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options after a slip and fall accident in Florida.

‍