Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most common causes of accidental injuries across the country. Every year, countless individuals make trips to the emergency room after suffering injuries in a fall. If you were hurt through no fault of your own, a slip and fall injury attorney could help.
Since 2005, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine has helped injury victims get the compensation they deserve. We understand how a severe slip and fall injury can alter your life and will work tirelessly to help you get the best possible outcome. Contact our team today to discuss how an Alachua personal injury lawyer can provide responsive legal help focused on serving your needs.
What Types Of Damages Are Available For Slip And Fall Injuries?
No two slip and fall injury cases are alike. The nature and extent of your injuries will determine what your case is worth after establishing that the property owner was negligent. Here are some examples of the damages you could recover with an Alachua slip and fall accident lawyer’s help.
You Could Recover Your Medical Expenses
You can receive compensation for the entire cost of your medical care. This treatment can be expensive, especially if your condition takes months or years to heal. You could be entitled to damages for past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, physical therapy, and emergency care.
A Settlement Might Pay Your Lost Wages
One aspect of suffering a catastrophic injury in a fall that can affect not only your life but also the lives of your loved ones is the inability to earn a living. If you cannot work while you recover, you could find yourself missing out on a primary source of income. However, a successful settlement could cover your lost income, including wages, benefits, retirement contributions, and more.
What About Your Pain and Suffering?
The value of a pain and suffering award in a slip and fall case depends not only on the physical trauma you experienced but also any emotional and psychological suffering. Although it is impossible to measure pain objectively, our firm can show a jury how to place a monetary value on it.
Time Is Limited To File An Injury Claim After A Slip And Fall In Alachua, FL
It is crucial to act without delay if you intend to pursue legal action after suffering an injury in a fall. Every day you wait to hire an attorney gives the defendant time to mount a solid defense. Moreover, evidence can become lost over time, and witnesses’ memories can fade. Moving forward with legal counsel early in the process can avoid these issues.
The most important reason to act quickly is the statute of limitations. Florida Statutes § 95.11 sets the legal deadline that applies to all personal injury cases filed in the state. In general, you have two years from the date of your fall to file suit. If you wait too long, the court could dismiss your case and bar you from recovering the compensation you deserve.
A handful of factors can shorten or lengthen how much time you have to file. To avoid missing out on your chance for compensation, you could rely on the support of the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Reach out to our Alachua slip and fall accident lawyer today.
Challenges Facing Plaintiffs In Slip And Fall Injury Cases
Falling and sustaining an injury while on another person’s property does not automatically entitle you to a financial settlement from the property owner. Under state law, premises liability cases require victims to prove the at-fault party’s negligence resulted in their fall-related injuries.
One of the challenges of a slip and fall case is establishing that the defendant knew about the defect. Per Florida Statutes § 768.0755, this knowledge could be direct or constructive—which means you could win your claim even if the property owner was unaware of the dangerous hazard if they should have known it existed.
Proving the property owner had knowledge of a hazard is often the most challenging part of these cases. For example, the defendant could acknowledge the injury occurred due to a hazard on their property but dispute liability due to their lack of knowledge. Our slip and fall attorneys will rebut this defense by showing how long the hazard existed and determining if anyone else was aware of its existence at the time of the accident.
What Factors Lead To A Slip And Fall In Alachua?
Countless hazards could cause you to slip, trip, or fall in Alachua. Some occur naturally, like a slick sidewalk after a heavy rain. Others are entirely manmade, like spilled milk in a grocery store aisle that a clerk fails to clean up.
Other typical causes of slip and fall accidents include the following:
- Frayed carpets
- Dim lighting
- Loose extension cords
- Trash and debris
- Uneven pavement
- Potholes
Any of these factors can lead to a fall. Whether you stumble over an object you didn’t see or lose your balance on a slick surface, you might have a case for compensation after suffering an injury during a fall on someone else’s property.
Talk To An Alachua Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer Right Away
If you have suffered an injury while falling on another person’s property, you might be entitled to a monetary award. These cases can be complicated, as they often require you to prove that the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect you from harm. However, the right Alachua slip and fall accident attorney could help you build a convincing case for negligence.
The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you get the most out of your personal injury claim. Let us serve as your advocates after a slip and fall accident. Contact us today for a free consultation.