Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries. The aftermath of a slip and fall injury can impact your health, finances, and quality of life. If you’ve been hurt due to a slip and fall accident, it’s important to get legal support and guidance from a competent injury lawyer.
Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents are all too common in Florida and beyond. These accidents can happen because of various dangerous conditions, such as improperly maintained stairwells, wet floors, uneven surfaces, non-gritted surfaces, and poor lighting.
A qualified legal team like Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers can help you gather the necessary evidence to strengthen your slip and fall case. With the right help, you can prove the property owner’s negligence and get the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Contact our office today for a free consultation so that you can Demand More after your slip and fall injury.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere. Some of the most common places for slip and fall incidents are grocery stores, shopping malls, restaurants, and even private residences. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to uphold this duty, and you’re injured as a result, the property owner may be liable for your injuries, dependent on Florida’s new modified comparative fault system.
Here are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Florida:
- Wet Floors: Spills in grocery stores, puddles in hallways, or water tracked into a building on a rainy day can create dangerous conditions. Property owners and businesses are responsible for cleaning up spills promptly and providing clear warning signs when the floors are wet.
- Uneven Surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, potholes, or raised floor tiles can be dangerous tripping hazards. These hazards can cause you to lose your balance and fall without warning. Property owners are required to repair uneven surfaces promptly and provide warnings when necessary.
- Stairwell Injuries: Stairwells are sometimes neglected when it comes to safety but can pose significant risks to visitors. Missing or broken handrails, uneven steps, or poor lighting can make stairwells particularly dangerous. Injuries caused by falls down stairs can be severe—including broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, or even death.
- Non-Gritted Surfaces: Slick sidewalks, parking lots, and walkways are common causes of slip-and-fall accidents. Property owners who fail to properly grit surfaces can be held liable if 50% of the blame or more can be attributed to them.
- Poor Lighting: Lack of adequate lighting in parking lots, hallways, stairwells, or other public spaces can make it challenging to navigate potential hazards. Insufficient lighting can also contribute to slip and fall accidents, especially in areas where people walk at night or in low-light conditions.
In these cases, you will need to show that the property owner or responsible party was negligent in maintaining their premises. To strengthen your claim, you’ll need to gather photographs, witness testimony, incident reports, or surveillance footage. These key pieces of evidence can make all the difference for your claim and prove you were under the 51% threshold of blame and thus entitled to compensation.
How to Gather Evidence for a Slip and Fall Claim
Gathering evidence is paramount to proving negligence in slip and fall cases. The stronger the evidence, the more likely you will receive appropriate compensation for your injuries. At Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers, our experience with slip and fall cases means we know the types of evidence you will need to be successful. When we take on your case, we gather evidence like:
Photos of the Scene
After the accident, take photographs of the hazardous condition that caused your fall as soon as possible. Your photographic evidence could show a wet floor, uneven surface, or poor lighting. These photos can help demonstrate the condition of the property and the danger that it poses. Be sure to take photos of the surrounding well, including any warning signs (or lack thereof).
Witness Statements
If there were any witnesses to the accident, make sure you gather their contact information. Ask eyewitnesses to provide statements about what they saw. These eyewitness testimonies can help corroborate your version of events and strengthen your overall case.
Report the Accident to the Property Owner
Ensure you report the incident to the property owner or manager as soon as possible. Ask them to document the accident in their records and request a copy of the report. This report can help establish that the property owner was made aware of the hazard and your injury.
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Seek Medical Assistance
Don’t neglect your health. Make sure you seek medical attention for your injuries immediately. This is important for your well-being, but your doctor’s report also serves as a supporting document for your injuries. Medical records will play a key role in proving the severity of your injuries. This will help support your claim for damages.
Review Surveillance Footage
In some cases, security cameras may record your slip and fall. Request access to the footage as soon as possible. This video recording can be critical evidence to prove the cause of the accident.
Keep Records of Expenses
Don’t forget to keep track of all your expenses related to the accident. Your records should include medical bills, lost income, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to your injuries. These records will be helpful to calculate the total amount of compensation you should receive.
Final Thoughts
Slip and fall accidents can be life-altering. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall incident, you may be facing physical, emotional, and financial hardships. When you understand the steps to protect your rights after a slip and fall accident, you’re empowered to secure justice for your injuries.
Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers will help you gather strong evidence to support your claim and hold the negligent property owner to account. You don’t have to face these challenges alone; our expert legal team will assist you in navigating the legal system.
Our legal professionals are well-versed in slip and fall accidents. We treat each client with personalized legal support and tailor our legal strategy to meet the demands of your case. Contact our office today to get a free case consultation. We can help you get justice and help you Demand More.
