St. Petersburg Florida Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers

Florida property owners have an obligation to protect customers, visitors, and guests from fall risks by exercising reasonable care to maintain their premises in safe condition, repairing known issues, and providing adequate warning if an issue cannot be promptly addressed. If you slipped and fell because a property owner failed to meet their legal obligations, you can seek financial compensation for your injury-related losses. There are certain exceptions (for example, property owners owe less duties to trespassers); but, if you fell on someone else’s property, we encourage you to contact us for a free consultation.

Standard Florida homeowners’ insurance policies include coverage for slip and fall injuries resulting from most typical hazards. So, if you fell at a friend’s or neighbor’s house, you do not have to worry that he or she will struggle financially if you file a claim. The risk of unexpected accidents is the reason we have insurance, and you should feel comfortable asserting your legal right to compensation.

Yes, slip and fall injuries from accidents on both public and private property are potentially eligible for financial compensation. This includes accidents that occur at:

• Apartment and condo buildings
• Commercial offices
• Hotels and motels
• Malls and retail stores
• Medical offices and hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Parking garages
• Resorts and entertainment venues
• Restaurants and bars
• Other private and public facilities

There are some important things that you should avoid doing after a slip and fall accident that could have an impact on any claim you may have for your injuries.

Fail to Report the Accident to a Manager

You may want to forget the whole thing happened and simply leave the area. However, if you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is important to inform a manager or property owner about what happened. This report should be made immediately, and you should be sure to get a copy of any incident report prepared by the manager.

Say ‘I’m Sorry’

It’s human instinct to reflexively say “I’m sorry” even when something is not your fault. Resist the urge to apologize.

Ignore any Witnesses

If you’ve fallen in a public place, chances are there were eyewitnesses to your accident. Gather the names and contact information of any witnesses so that statements can be obtained from them later.

Leave the Scene Without Collecting Evidence

Before you leave the scene, make sure you take pictures of the area where your slip and fall occurred. It is important to get pictures of the condition that caused your fall. Was there a spill on the floor, torn carpeting, uneven flooring, or debris? Make sure to document the condition.

Skip the Doctor Visit

It is important to see a doctor after your slip and fall even if you’re not sure if you’ve been seriously injured. Even if you only have slight pain, you should still see your doctor as the adrenaline of your accident may be masking a serious injury. In addition, some injuries don’t present themselves right away, and it’s important to have a medical professional make the determination that you’re not injured.

The decision to hire an attorney for your slip and fall accident is a personal one, but there are some important reasons why you should consider doing so.

Securing Important Evidence

An St. Pete slip and fall attorney can be helpful in making sure that all important evidence is preserved after your slip and fall. Without the right evidence, it can be difficult to prove that your injuries were the result of someone else’s negligence. An experienced slip and fall lawyer can help determine which evidence is necessary and how to get the evidence you need.

Establishing Liability

One of the most important parts of your slip and fall claim is proving that someone else, whether it was a business or a property owner, was responsible for your injuries. In many cases, this can be a complicated process. An experienced slip and fall injury law firm can help you figure out the logistics of your case and put together the best evidence to determine who was liable and the nature of the negligence.

Establishing Damages

Another important part of a slip and fall case is establishing that you suffered damages as a result of this fall. These damages typically include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced St. Petersburg slip and fall accident attorney can help you put together all of the documentation and evidence needed to prove that you were injured and sustained damages as the result of someone’s negligence.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

It is important to remember that insurance adjusters are not on your side. After your slip and fall accident, an insurance company may try to offer you a settlement or talk you out of pursuing your claim. The job of the insurance company is to pay out as little as possible on any claims. If you have an experienced slip and fall attorney on your side, the attorney can communicate with the insurance company for you. The attorneys at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk talk to insurance adjusters every day and know the best way to negotiate on your behalf.