Florida Slip and Fall Lawyer Near You in The Villages
Many people assume that the top cause of nonfatal injuries in the US is motor vehicle accidents, but statistics from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention reveal otherwise. In 8 out of 10 age groups, the number one reason individuals are treated in emergency room departments is unintentional falls, slips, and trips. For the other two age groups, covering people ages 10-24, accidental falls rank second. Though some of these incidents occur in the home environment, a surprising number of slips, trips, and falls happen because of property owner negligence.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a trip and fall accident because of dangerous conditions on property, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. Skilled representation is critical to your injury claim, so please contact The Glover Law Firm to learn how we can help. We can set up a free consultation with a Florida slip and fall attorney in The Villages who can explain how these cases work, and typical slip and fall case payouts to get you the compensation you deserve.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
No slip and fall accident will happen with the same set of circumstances or in the same exact manner. There are many different causes that could result in this type of accident. Some victims may even trip over his or her own feet. However, often many of these slip, trip and fall accidents happen due to hazardous conditions.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Uneven surfaces
- Wet or slippery parking lots or floors
- Cracked or raised sidewalks or driveways
- Elevators that do not open level with the ground
- Abrupt edges on stairs
- Broken or weak stairway railings
- Loose carpets or rugs
- Cords from appliances or other electronics sticking out
Typical Slip and Fall Injuries
Although you might not think slip and falls are worrisome, it is estimated that about 15 percent of all accidental deaths result from these types of accidents. The only accident to kill more people is automobile crashes. Thus, slip and fall accidents are much more dangerous than people often believe, and retaining the help of an experienced trip and fall lawyer is crucial.
Falls from high places, onto rough surfaces, or into pointed objects can all lead to very serious damage, life-long crippling ailments, and even death in the most tragic cases. Some injuries that typically result include:
- Bad concussions
- Broken bones or fractures from slip and fall accidents
- Contusions
- Internal soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Any of the above injuries can be relatively severe. As a result of slip and fall injuries, victims may not be able to work for prolonged time periods. Slip and fall settlements without surgery in Florida can still result in significant compensation for these injuries, reflecting their serious nature.
Legal Basis for Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims
When you’re hurt because someone didn’t properly maintain their property, you may have a claim based upon premises liability. Like many other personal injury cases, these matters center on negligence, so you must prove:
- The owner or other party in control of the premises had a legal duty to keep the property reasonably safe;
- That person or entity failed in this duty by allowing dangerous conditions to remain;
- These hazards directly caused the accident in which you were injured; and,
- You suffered physical, financial, and emotional losses as a result.
Examples of Premises Liability Cases
Some real-life scenarios may help illustrate negligence in a slip and fall claim. One example involves an incident in The Villages where a person suffered a slip and fall on a golf course, falling into an unmarked hole and sustaining a tibia fracture. Glover Law Firm secured an $85,000 settlement for the injured individual, highlighting the need to seek fair compensation for accidents caused by unsafe conditions.Often slip and falls could have easily been avoided if it were not for the dangerous condition that triggered the accident. As your trip and fall attorney will explain, property owners failing to maintain the safety of his or her property for the public breaches Florida law. A property owner may be liable under the theory of premises liability for:
- Failing to repair a broken staircase, walkway, or aisle;
- Neglecting to clean up spills, causing slippery floor surfaces;
- Allowing equipment, inventory, or debris to remain along passageways;
- Failing to inspect the premises on a reasonably regular basis, so that any hazards may be discovered and remedied;
- Not posting signage regarding dangerous conditions; or,
- Refusing to hire security to monitor areas of the premises that present risks to others.
Renters and owners that have an obligation to maintain the safety of their property can be held liable when people get injured, if he or she is found to be negligent.
Restaurants, stores and other public places that invite guests to owe patrons a duty and are supposed to inspect their premises. If dangerous conditions exist, guests must be warned and the condition must be repaired.
Compensation Types and Limitations
By proving the four essential elements described in the “Legal Basis for Slip, Trip, and Fall Claims” section, you may be entitled to slip and fall case payouts to recover for the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and many other forms of compensation. However, there may be legal limitations on your claim. You should note three factors that impact your monetary damages:
- Florida’s statute of limitations, which allows you four years to file a civil lawsuit;
- The rule of comparative negligence that may reduce your compensation if you were at fault in causing your own injuries; and,
- Trespasser laws regarding premises liability, which prevent recovery if you were unlawfully present on the property.
A knowledgeable Florida slip and fall accident attorney can assist you establish and demonstrate the true extent of your losses and damages, and potential slip and fall case payouts.
Review of Slip & Fall Lawyer in The Villages
Read this 5-star Google review below regarding a personal injury case in The Villages.
“My husband and I are snowbirds in The Villages. We were rear-ended on Hwy 27 in 2018. Glover Law firm represented us in our personal injury case. Gordon was thorough in explaining the process and answering any questions. He and his staff were always professional and prompt with all communication. I would highly recommend Glover Law firm if you find yourself in a similar unfortunate situation.”
By: Dianne Uthe
Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Feb 3, 2019
Read more reviews on Google!
Did You Know?
The National Floor Safety Institute warns that 30 percent of those over 65 will suffer a fall at some point over the next year. Those falls then account for 87 percent of all the fractures suffered by people in the same age group. At the same time, 40 percent of those who enter a nursing home do so because of a fall.
Discuss Your Case with a Premises Liability Attorney in The Villages
While this overview on slip, trip, and fall claims may be useful, it’s important to obtain legal counsel that’s custom-tailored to your situation. Our lawyers can provide the details you need, so please contact the Glover Law Firm today to schedule a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in The Villages.
Not in The Villages? Get in touch with Ocala slip and fall lawyers, Sumter County slip and fall attorneys, Marion County slip and fall lawyers, Lake County slip and fall injury lawyers, or a lawyer in the many areas we serve.