Slip and fall accidents happen in a blink of a second but have the potential to change the course of an individual’s life forever. If you or a loved one suffered harm and injuries through a slip and fall accident while on someone else’s property, you might be eligible for compensation.
Slip and fall accident lawyers from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine are familiar with the laws around slip and fall accidents, and we can help you hold the negligent party accountable for their actions or inactions.
Negligence Can Cause Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip, trips, and falls can occur due to the negligence of a property owner. Some hazards that can lead to these accidents include:
- Wet floors
- Uneven floors
- Icy pathways
- Unsafe ladders and stairs
- Spilled substances
- Unlit stairwells
Most of these cases occur due to the negligence of another party. A Port Orange slip and fall accident lawyer with our firm can identify the liable party and help hold them responsible.
What Evidence do You Need to Win a Slip and Fall Accident Claim?
To get compensation in a slip and fall accident claim, you must prove both liability and damages.
After identifying the liable party, you and your lawyer must be able to prove negligence on the part of the defendant. According to the law, negligence can be proven through the following elements:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Duty of Care
Every property owner in Port Orange has a legal obligation to maintain their property to a standard of reasonable care to ensure the well-being of the people using the property. You and your lawyer should be able to demonstrate that the defendant had the duty to care for the property in which the accident happened.
Breach of Duty
After proving that the defendant had a duty of care, you should be able to prove that they breached this duty. To establish a breach of duty, your lawyer might look for the following:
- Whether the defendant was aware of a dangerous condition on their property and if they should have known about the hazard if they were not aware
- Whether the defendant had any policies in place to check for dangerous conditions and mitigate them
- Whether the defendant had a reasonable explanation for their delay in correcting the dangerous condition that led to your slip and fall
Causation and Damages
You and your lawyer must prove that the dangerous condition was the cause of your slip and fall and, as a result, the cause of your injuries.
We can help demonstrate causation and damages with various pieces of evidence, including:
- Eyewitness accounts
- Accident scene photographs
- Cell phone camera footage
- Surveillance footage
- Expert testimony
- Medical records
- Medical bills
Gathering evidence is tedious and time-consuming, but our Port Orange slip and fall accident lawyers can take care of everything as you worry about getting better.
What a Port Orange Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Slip and fall accidents often result in serious injuries that take time to heal. During recovery, the process of seeking compensation can seem like an uphill task. A slip and fall attorney with our firm can take this burden away from you and your family and help you get the compensation you deserve.
We can do the following on your behalf:
Handling the Insurance Company
Most insurance companies prefer to settle slip and fall accident claims before they go to court, as this saves them a lot of money in legal fees. However, you should remember that insurance companies are in the business of making money.
They know too well that you might not have the energy for a lot of back and forth as you recover and, therefore, offer you a lower settlement than you deserve. It is also likely that they will have a team of lawyers and adjustors looking for ways to reduce your settlement or avoid paying you altogether.
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we are familiar with all the loopholes insurers may use to minimize your compensation, and we can fight for what you deserve.
Other Ways We Can Help
Depending on your situation, we might take the following steps on your behalf:
- Speak to medical care providers to document your injuries and ensuing medical bills
- Calculate the damages owed to you
- Collect and review all the evidence from the accident scene
- Initiate contact with the insurance company and negotiate for your compensation
If Necessary, a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer Can Advocate for You in Court
If negotiations with the insurance company fail, our Port Orange slip and fall accident lawyers can file a case in court and advocate for you throughout the process.
The insurance company might even agree to settle during mediation, and your case could end without you having ever set foot in court.
What Damages Are You Entitled to in a Slip and Fall Accident Case?
Slip and fall accident damages are broadly classified into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover quantifiable losses with absolute dollar figures. Some examples of economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits and pension
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are meant to offer a reprieve for harm that does not come with a dollar amount. They may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Lost companionship
You Have a Deadline to File Your Slip and Fall Claim
Statutes of limitations are legal windows set by each state. They govern how long you have to take civil action.
Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a) applies to slip and fall lawsuits in Florida. You generally have four years from the date of the accident to file your claim. If this deadline lapses, the court may dismiss your case.
Get Help at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Today
Our lawyers understand the laws that apply to slip and fall accident cases, and we are ready to fight for you. We will take over the legal burden and let you worry about your physical recovery.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident in Port Orange, call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine today at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
