Are You In Need Of A Slip And Fall Attorney In Tampa, Florida? Call Fulgencio Law today for help!
Some of the most common places that a slip and fall accident can occur in Florida include doorways, ladders or stairs, cluttered areas, uneven surfaces, busy corridors, unguarded heights, and unstable ground. While you may think you should have paid more attention to where you were going, it’s more than likely that the business owner should have made it safer before you even arrived.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident, give the dedicated team of Florida slip and fall attorneys at Fulgencio Law a call. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your slip and fall accident and can help you determine if you have a personal injury case.
Business Owners Owe A Duty Of Care To The Public
In most personal injury cases that deal with slip and fall accidents, the owner of the establishment where the injury occurred is held responsible for negligence. This is because the establishment owner owes a duty of care to its customers. Duty of care is defined as another person’s obligation to not injure another person or place them in harm’s way. This duty requires the establishment owner to make the premises of their business safe for its customers. If a business owner’s duty of care is breached by creating a dangerous situation or allowing a dangerous situation to persist, this is considered negligence.
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Tampa, Florida and you feel that negligence can be proven, contact Fulgencio Law. Our experienced slip and fall attorneys will stand by your side to ensure that you get the maximum compensation that you deserve. Call us today for your free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation, or schedule your consultation on our website at your earliest convenience.
Different Types Of Slip And Fall Claims in Florida
Florida business owners and store managers have a duty of care to their customers. In court, it must be proven that the duty of care has been breached and that the breach of care was the cause of a slip and fall accident. If you were hurt, you are going to need an experienced Florida slip and fall attorney. Here are some examples of slip and fall accidents where the negligence of a business owner can be proven and you may have a valid slip and fall claim:
- A gas station manager fails to have a spill cleaned up after 45 minutes. You slip on the spill and end up with a broken leg.
- While you’re entering a shop, you trip on a large crack in the sidewalk. It was the shop owner’s responsibility to keep the sidewalk properly maintained, but they failed to notice the crack. You have significant injuries, and you’re unable to work for two months.
- You’re shopping in a large store and the employee who is stocking leaves products in the middle of the aisle instead of putting them on the shelves where they belong. As you come around the corner with your shopping cart, you don’t see the items on the floor, causing you to slip and fall. As a result of your fall, you suffer a broken arm.
- There are too many people in a crowded nightclub. Even though it’s clearly unsafe, the club owner continues to allow guests inside. You get pushed by another guest, and you fall and hit your head on the floor of the club. The injuries you sustain include a concussion that requires medical treatment.
- You go to workout at the gym. Another patron leaves their water bottle on the ground and leaves the gym. Gym employees fail to notice the water bottle for two hours. As you are heading to a piece of exercise equipment, you trip over the water bottle and severely sprain your ankle.
- You’re shopping in the same large store as before. The store employees have placed the displays way too close together. During a busy period, the jostling of the crowds results in you being pushed and falling into one of the store displays. You go to the hospital for your injuries and are going to need surgery.
A slip and fall accident can occur on level ground, or you can fall from an elevated height. Something can fall from a higher shelf or the ceiling and cause a chain reaction. Any kind of slip and fall accident can lead to a legal claim if negligence can be proven.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Tampa, you can schedule a free consultation online at your earliest convenience with one of our slip and fall attorneys at Fulgencio Law or give us a call today. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your case and can help you get your slip and fall claim started.
Protecting Your Rights After A Slip And Fall Accident In Florida
Everybody has fallen at least once in their life. It’s really easy to quickly assess any injuries, act as nothing happened around bystanders, and quickly leave the scene. But once the adrenaline has worn off, injuries might end up being worse than they initially seemed to be.
After a slip and fall accident, it is important to not leave the scene right away. Here are a few things that you can do to protect your rights as a victim of a slip and fall accident:
- Look Around To See What Caused the Fall- It’s extremely important to take note of any hazards such as a puddle of water on the floor or a burned-out lightbulb. These may be cleaned up or replaced later, and the store owner may deny any responsibility.
- Notify the Property Owner- No matter where you were hurt, you must tell the property owner. If you were hurt on business property, you may also need to fill out an incident report. If so, make sure you get a copy of it for your records.
- Write Down Contact Information of Witnesses- If anybody witnessed your fall, write down their names, and contact information. This will prove to be useful in your case.
- Photograph Visible Injuries- If your fall resulted in bumps, bruises, or any other kind of visible injury, it is important to have photographic evidence of these injuries.
- Take Note of What You Are Wearing- The business owner might try to deny any fault in the accident, claiming that you were not wearing proper footwear. Remember what you were wearing at the time of the incident. If necessary, take photographs of the exact outfit, or any damage that was done to your clothing as a result of the fall.
- Document Medical Expenses and Lost Wages- If you go to the doctor’s office, keep documentation of the costs and any diagnosis given. If you miss work, track the hours and salary that you have lost as a result of your accident.
- Continue to document- As you proceed through treatment, keep a journal of how you’re recovering and how your injuries are impacting your life.
One of the most important things you need to do if you or a loved one are seriously injured in a slip and fall accident in Tampa, Florida is to contact a knowledgeable slip and fall attorney.
There are many things a slip and fall attorney can do that you simply can’t do on your own. This includes contacting and interviewing expert witnesses, subpoenaing evidence if necessary, and accurately calculating the full amount of damages you are entitled to receive.
At Fulgencio Law, our team of slip and fall attorneys will ensure your rights are protected and help you demand the full amount of compensation you deserve. Call us today for your free, no-obligation, and confidential consultation, or schedule your consultation on our website today.
How Long Do I Have To File A Slip And Fall Claim In Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations is four years from the date of your accident. This is honestly not as much time as people tend to think. Before filing your claim, an attorney needs to conduct an investigation, collect evidence, and gather medical reports and other documents necessary to aid you in your claim.
All this takes plenty of time, so it’s important to speak directly to an attorney as soon as possible. If your claim is not filed within the 4-year statute of limitations, your case could be dropped.
What Kind Of Compensation Can I Get For My Slip And Fall Claim?
In the state of Florida, there are two different classifications of damages: Economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are compensation you receive as a result of monetary losses you suffer because of an accident, and non-economic damages compensate for non-monetary, not readily quantifiable losses.
Compensation will be calculated depending on the facts of your case. Some of the compensation you can receive from your slip and fall accident can include but are not limited to:
- Medical Costs- any costs credited to your recovery. This includes medical care, surgery costs, medications, physical therapy, and more. If the reason for the medical expenses is directly related to the negligence of a business owner, you may be able to add them to your claim
- Future Medical Costs- An estimate of the cost of medical care needed in the future because of the accident, such as future doctor visits or surgeries. Some injuries need more time than others for complete healing.
- Pain And Suffering- Damages recovered for the pain and discomfort suffered during and after the incident. Your injuries may not seem severe at first, but as time goes on, some injuries can get worse.
- Household Expenses- If your slip and fall accident leaves you incapacitated, you may be able to recover damages for cleaning services.
- Lost Income- This category deals with the income you will lose by having to take time off work to recover from your injuries and possibly having to leave work for future doctor’s appointments. Medical expenses and household bills can build up while you’re recovering, leaving you with the added stress that you don’t deserve to endure alone.
- Future Income Loss- Sometimes, serious injuries from a slip and fall accident can inhibit you from being able to perform your job at a level that will earn promotions or advancements in your field.
- Emotional Distress- Serious slip and fall accidents can cause psychological issues such as fear, anxiety, and PTSD. Emotional distress can be included in pain and suffering damages.
It’s also extremely important to understand Florida’s comparative negligence law. This law states that if you were partly at fault for your slip and fall accident, the courts and the insurance company will take that into consideration. You will be assigned a percentage of fault, and any compensation you are to be awarded can be reduced by that same percentage.
Contacting A Personal Injury Lawyer In Florida
Our team of slip and fall attorneys at Fulgencio Law is knowledgeable in handling Florida slip and fall claims. We have the necessary experience and desire to provide legal representation that puts your interests first, protects your rights, and seeks to resolve the problems that come with being involved in a slip and fall accident.
Our dedicated and compassionate team of slip and fall attorneys has the experience and resources to handle your delicate and unique case. We focus our representation on three main categories: personal injury, consumer protection, and insurance company disputes, all in which we can accurately and efficiently form a case to suit your claim. Our team is a part of the community and has an in-depth knowledge of the area so we can better serve you in your claim.
Call us today at (813) 463-0123 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries due to a slip and fall accident in Tampa, Florida, call Fulgencio Law immediately to begin the investigations into your rights for compensation.