Anyone who has spent time in a commercial or public space knows that accidents happen. When they happen indoors, on commercial property, and lead to injuries, these accidents are known as slip and fall accidents. They’re also known as trip and fall accidents.
They are fairly common in places like shopping malls, retail stores, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, offices, schools, and airports. These accidents can happen anywhere where there’s standing water, slippery surfaces, poor lighting, or uneven ground.
Most slip and fall accidents involve an individual slipping on a wet surface due to the negligence of those who are responsible for maintaining that space. When this happens, you need to understand when you should sue and why you should sue if you have been involved in a slip and fall accident caused by another person’s negligence.
Why You Should Sue After a Slip and Fall Accident
There are plenty of reasons why you should sue after a slip and fall accident. The most important one is that you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. If the accident was not your fault, you should be compensated for the pain your injuries inflicted as well as any monetary losses they incurred such as time off work.
When an accident occurs, it is always advisable to get the assistance of an experienced lawyer to ensure the best outcome for you. A successful slip and fall lawsuit will help you recover your hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and other related expenses. In some cases, you may receive an amount that’s much greater than the sum of the expenses related to your injury.
When You Should Sue After a Slip and Fall Accident
The first thing you should do after a slip and fall accident is to seek medical attention. Once you have been treated by a doctor, you should speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer and explore your options by going over the details of your case to see how strong it is.
Although it’s important to take time to rest up while recovering from your injuries after a slip and fall accident, you shouldn’t wait too long to get in touch with a lawyer. That’s because the statute of limitations for these cases in the state of Florida is four years. If you do not file your claim within that time, you could lose your right to any compensation.
Who Is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall Accident?
A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere, anytime. When an accident happens in a commercial setting, the first person responsible for your injuries is the property owner. Although one should always exercise reasonable care to avoid injury if a slip and fall accident occurs, the property owner is typically liable. If you were the victim of another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim against them for your injuries.
After a slip and fall accident, you need to look for evidence that someone else was responsible for it. Look for signs of water damage or leaking water. In addition, take note of the time and date of the accident. If possible, take pictures of the place where it happened.
When you know that someone else is responsible for your injuries, you need to prove that this person was negligent and that their negligence led to your accident. You will also have to prove that your injuries are serious enough to merit monetary compensation.
How to Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident?
Negligence is the most common cause of slip and fall accidents. It is also the most common cause of other types of accidents as well. To succeed in a negligence-based slip and fall lawsuit, you must be able to prove that the responsible party was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury. What does negligence mean? Simply put, it is failing to exercise reasonable care. For example, in a commercial setting, businesses are expected to maintain their premises in a safe condition at all times.
This means that they must regularly inspect their premises and replace any damaged items. Furthermore, they must make sure that liquids are not left on floors or other places where people can slip on them. In addition, they should make sure that their lights are working properly and that there are secure railings in place on stairways
What Can You Get for Damages in A Slip and Fall Accident?
The damages you can recover in a slip and fall accident depend on the severity of the injuries that you sustained. Most commonly, slip and fall accidents result in soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries are not as serious as other types of injuries but can be painful and can be expensive to treat nonetheless.
That said, some slip and fall cases involve injured parties with broken bones which are much more serious. In addition to receiving compensation for your painful injuries, you may also be entitled to recover lost wages and other out-of-pocket expenses that you incurred as a result of the damage. Successful personal injury lawsuits for slip and fall cases can result in large lump sum payments.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit
In the event that you are ever involved in a slip and fall accident, you will need a skilled and experienced attorney to help you file a claim for compensation and represent you throughout the lawsuit.
Due to the complexity of slip and fall accidents, it is essential that you have a good lawyer working on your behalf. A good lawyer understands the nature of slip and fall accidents and can help you to gather all the evidence you need to prove negligence.
Are You Suffering From a Slip and Fall Accident? Call Anidjar & Levine!
Being in a slip and fall accident can leave you with lifelong injuries and trauma. You deserve to be compensated which means you deserve the best legal representation in Florida to get it. The personal injury lawyers at Anidjar & Levine care about your case, call today and get the ball rolling!
In an Accident? The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help.
Our injury attorneys assist people in Florida who have been injured in traffic accidents caused by negligent drivers, road rage, and more. Contact us today to explore your legal options and determine if you qualify for financial compensation. You may be able to collect compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, disability, and other losses related to your injuries.
Call the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine at 1-888-816-9520 for a free consultation.
