Is Slip and Fall a Personal Injury?
Slip and fall accident cases refer to several accident types under premises liability law. Slips and falls. For example, you could slip and fall on a slippery surface or trip and fall due to a poorly constructed surface or hazards such as debris or loose cables. Another type of accident entails stepping into a hole on poorly maintained sidewalks.
If you or your loved one are a victim of a slip and fall accident, regardless of how it occurred, personal injury lawyers in Florida can help you pursue a compensation claim against the negligent property owner.
What Are the Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
Property owners sometimes fail to address common hazards that pose a risk to people. However, just because the hazards exist and may cause a slip and fall doesn't immediately mean that the property owner is negligent. Determining negligence is often complex, so let experienced Florida slip-and-fall lawyers investigate the circumstances that led to the accident.
Slips and falls commonly occur due to the following conditions:
- Wet flooring
- Loose power cables
- Uneven flooring
- Holes
- Loose carpeting
- Lack of handrails and safety barriers
- Debris
- Poor lighting
- Freshly waxed floors
What Injuries Result from Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents can result in severe injuries with devastating consequences, such as:
- Bone fractures at the hips, elbows, and wrists
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Knee damage
- Dislocations and sprains
- Skin lacerations and major bleeding
The injuries can be costly to treat, depending on their severity. You may also have to endure ongoing pain and suffering for an extended time. Aggressive Florida slip and fall attorneys can help you build a solid case to help you recover the maximum amount the injuries are worth.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Once you file a compensation claim for your slip and fall injuries, your lawyers will assess the damage caused by the injury and calculate the actual cost. With experienced personal injury lawyers, you have better chances of receiving a fair settlement to restore your economic situation to where it was before the accident.
Potential damages you can collect from a slip and fall case are the following:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the monetary losses you incur from injuries sustained after an accident. They include:
- Emergency treatment costs
- Past and future medical expenses
- Surgery
- Lost wages
- Loss of or reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Transportation costs
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Prescription and medical device costs
- Nursing home care costs
- Property damage
- Incidental expenses
Your attorneys can work with your healthcare providers to determine the full extent of these costs through objectively verified medical and financial documentation such as medical prescriptions, receipts, and medical records. Your bank statements, pay stubs from your employer, and tax documentation can help prove how the injuries affected your finances.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the subjective losses associated with the injuries. You can’t attach a monetary value to these losses as they are not objectively verifiable. Instead, they are calculated based on your subjective experience due to the injuries. They include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Mental trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Reduced quality of life
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Inconvenience
- Shame
Punitive Damages
The court may award punitive damages if it determines that the property owner where the slip and fall accident happened was particularly negligent. These damages are awarded in cases where additional penalties are necessary to punish the at-fault party for their egregious act.
How Much is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
Many factors come into play in determining how much your slip and fall case is worth. Florida slip and fall lawyers account for the following:
- The severity of your injuries and whether they are permanent
- Whether the injury prevents you from working or reduces your ability to earn
- The cost of your medical bills
- Whether you share responsibility in the fall, as that reduces the compensation you can receive
- The method the insurer uses to calculate pain and suffering
Additionally, you must prove five crucial elements to win in your slip-and-fall claim:
- The property owner had control over the property where the accident happened and had a duty to keep you and others safe
- The owner breached their duty of care, exposing you to a hazard that caused the accident, leading to your injuries
- The property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition
- The owner failed to correct the situation or didn't provide warnings about the hazard
- You sustained injuries and incurred various losses as a result
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Case?
The statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall case is two years from the accident date. Failure to meet the deadline could see your case dismissed, and you will lose your right to recover compensation for the injuries. Consult slip and fall accident attorneys in Florida immediately after the accident to evaluate your options
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Helping You Pursue Compensation After a Slip and Fall
A slip-and-fall accident may sound minor, but the consequences can be devastating and change your life's course in the long term. Filing a compensation claim can be lengthy and complex, as many factors go into the process. Working with knowledgeable slip-and-fall lawyers in Florida can enhance your chances of the most favorable outcome.
The Dellutri Law Group is a personal injury law firm that can look into your case. Our lawyers can help you collect evidence to prove your claim and damages. We can also take care of your case's legal aspects and file the necessary paperwork as you focus on healing and recovery. We won't rest until you recover the total compensation you deserve. Call us at 800-391-4337 to schedule a complimentary strategy session.
