Slip and falls are incredibly common. While most cause minor injuries, many lead to more serious medical concerns. Broken bones, torn ligaments, soft tissue injuries, head injuries, and back injuries are all common. If your slip and fall accident occurred because of the property owner’s negligence, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your hospital bills, care costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The knowledgeable team at the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine has the resources necessary to collect the evidence to support your slip and fall claim. With our help, you can recover the full amount of compensation you deserve and need. Call us today at 800-747-3733 for a complimentary consultation with a slip and fall injury lawyer in Homestead.
Did Negligence Cause My Slip and Fall Accident?
Some falls occur because the property owner or occupier acted in a negligent way and failed to prevent your injuries. This may be because they did not remove or repair a known hazard, ignored or failed to spot a potential hazard, or simply failed to warn you about a hazard. While the hazards that cause fall injuries vary widely from case to case, some of the most common we see include:
- Spills or leaks that leave liquid on slick floors;
- Folded rugs, torn carpets, and other similar trip hazards;
- Cracks and uneven surfaces on sidewalks and floors;
- Steps or curbs without effective warnings;
- Potholes and other trip hazards in parking lots;
- Extension cords or similar trip hazards;
- Stairs without handrails or broken handrails; and
- Maintenance issues, such as broken tiles or loose bricks in stairs.
If you believe any of these hazards caused or contributed to your fall injury, give us a call as soon as possible. We can help you determine the merits of your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve. We offer free case reviews, so you have nothing to lose.
How Can We Prove Fault in a Slip and Fall Case?
To win the payout you need to cover your medical bills and other fall-related losses, we must prove the property owner or occupier was negligent and this caused your injuries. The evidence available to prove this varies based on the facts of your case, but in all cases we have to show:
- The property owner or occupier owed you a certain duty based on premises liabilitylaws;
- They acted carelessly or recklessly and did not uphold this duty;
- This action or inaction caused your injuries; and
- You suffered physical, emotional, and financial damages.
As an example, consider what may have happened if you slipped in spilled food at a local restaurant. In this instance, we would obtain surveillance video of your fall that clearly shows you slipping because of the spill. Eyewitness testimony and the video may both show the manager and several employees stepping over the spilled food before your fall. This evidence would show the restaurant could have prevented your fall, but the manager and employees took no action to clean up the spill. Based on our proof, the restaurant’s insurance is likely to pay the full value of your claim.
What Is the Reasonable Person Standard in a Premises Liability Case?
In our example, the surveillance video and eyewitness testimony left no doubt that the manager and several employees knew about the hazard. In other cases, though, the property owner or occupier will deny liability because they claim they were unaware of the hazard. While Florida premises liability laws are complex, we have the skills and resources to hold the liable party responsible as long as they meet the reasonable person standard.
According to this standard, the property owner is liable for your injuries if a reasonable person would have spotted the hazard and taken action. If we can show a reasonable person would have identified a spill, trip hazard in the walkway, maintenance need, or other fall hazard, we can hold the property owner responsible regardless of whether they ever saw the hazard or not.
Am I Eligible to Collect Compensation?
There are limits to who can file a premises liability claim. In most cases, we can pursue compensation for you because your slip and fall occurred while you were an invited guest in a private residence, a restaurant, a store, or a public area. Legally, if you are shopping, dining, or visiting with the owner’s permission, you are an invitee. We can also file a claim on your behalf if you are a licensee. This means you were on the property to provide a service to the property owner or occupier. Someone delivering goods to a store might fall into this category.
Your right to recover compensation is only limited if you trespass on the property and suffer a slip and fall injury. Florida premises liability laws put no duty on property owners to protect adult trespassers, so long as they do not cause them intentional injuries. There are much more complicated laws that apply to trespassers under the age of 18. We may be able to help you collect compensation for your child or teen’s injuries in some cases.
What Type of Compensation Can I Expect to Recover?
The compensation available to you in a slip and fall claim varies. It will usually cover a wide range of damage types. We often recover compensation for our clients that covers:
- Care on the scene and emergency transportation to the hospital;
- Care for their injuries, both in and out of the hospital;
- Any necessary physical therapy or rehabilitation;
- Any ongoing care costs;
- Lost wages for missed days at work; and
- Almost any other accident-related expense.
We also pursue compensation to help you recover from the emotional and psychological effects of your fall. This is sometimes known as pain and suffering.
As a part of building a strong case to support your claim, we calculate an estimated value of your damages. This estimate plays a key role in negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company representing the liable property owner. If the insurance company refuses to offer a settlement that covers your losses, we can file a lawsuit and let a judge determine your payout.
How Can I Reach A Slip And Fall Injury Lawyer In Homestead?
The Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine has a large team of South Florida attorneys who are ready to go to work on your Homestead slip and fall claim. The size and experience of our team means we have the resources to build the strongest case possible for you and recover the compensation you need to pay your bills. Call us today at 800-747-3733 to get started.
We Can Help.
