Representing Clients in the Tampa Bay Area and Throughout Florida
Thousands of people across the United States are seriously injured as the result of a slip and fall accident every year. In fact, a report from the National Floor Safety Institute states that falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits (21.3%). Slips and falls account for over 1 million visits or 12% of total falls.
Property owners, including businesses, MUST WARN visitors to their property of potentially dangerous conditions. They have a duty to keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition, and if they breach that duty, they can be held liable for anyone who is injured.
The duty to ensure safe conditions can be considered violated whenever an accident results in an injury that causes the victim pain, suffering or loss of enjoyment of life or when it results in initial and ongoing medical expenses.
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you are entitled to claim compensation and may do so by filing a lawsuit against the property owners whose negligence caused your injury. Our slip and fall attorneys can give you the support you need to claim compensation for your injury.
When Can Florida Property Owners Be Considered Liable?
Duty could arise from the failure to inspect the premises in a reasonable manner depending on what the risks are for that business or premises. An example of this could be a grocery store or large big box store where things are commonly found on the floor, or where moisture might accumulate from the refrigerators. These are commonly known risks and the owners have a duty to actually inspect these items regularly, if not every hour to two, to ensure that these conditions do not arise.
In some cases, unsafe conditions may be created by a failure to recognize ordinances and safety codes. Consider, for example, businesses that have ramps that aren’t up to code or shelving that isn’t properly observable. These conditions should not exist because state and federal laws give clear instructions on minimum standards for safety. Additional safety requirements such as the proper posting of warnings, notices and hazard signs are mandated by law, and their absence could point to a failure to show adequate concern for safety.
In these types of cases, where building codes and ordinances are not complied with, it is fairly easy to prove that the landowner was negligent. However, laws are very complicated and dealing with a lawsuit while you were injured might be overwhelming. You’ll want an experienced slip and fall lawyer to help you.
In the cases of accidents that aren’t covered by codes, the business owner will have to have known the condition existed prior to the person being injured. This means that it is up to the plaintiff to prove that the condition was there, that they knew about it and they did not take the proper precautions or warn the injured person of the dangerous condition.
It is your responsibility to prove all of these items to prevail in the case. That makes it imperative that the appropriate evidence is gathered as quickly as possible. Please review the instructions in the next section before you call.
Before Calling An Attorney
- Take photos (as many as you can)
- Gather names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident
- Give no statements to the property owner until you’ve spoken to your lawyer
Photographs of the Scene
In many slip, trip and fall cases, the most important pieces of evidence is early photographs of the injury and the conditions that caused it. These pictures are best taken while still on the premises. This becomes extremely important because many businesses will claim that they didn’t see any substance on the floor and didn’t see you fall.
If you have a photograph of what caused your accident, it will be very difficult for them to prove in court that they weren’t responsible. It takes an experienced lawyer to do the investigation in order to actually get the video that many times businesses will try to hide or prevent the injured person’s attorney from obtaining.
Some businesses such as Walmart have had numerous appellate court opinions discussing the fact that they have repeatedly tried to hide video evidence of someone falling at their stores. In these cases, the testimony of witnesses is incredibly important.
Witness Statements
Witnesses, especially the ones you did not work with, are generally considered to be neutral parties in that their testimony will carry great weight. However, most people generally go to different premises with friends or family. It will also carry great weight, so it is important to make sure you have as much information as possible.
Don’t Make Statements
Another important warning: do not give any statements to the business or premises owner about what happened. Anything you say will be used against you, and these people will not necessarily tell the truth or will choose to interpret it in a way that helps them.
Thus, after obtaining photographs (and, if possible) names and phone numbers of witnesses is extremely viable to call a personal injury attorney and have them complete the investigation.
Speak to A Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip/trip or fall accident in the Tampa Bay area or anywhere in the state of Florida, call Ligori Law now at 813-223-2929 or at our toll-free number 877-444-2929 for a free consultation.
Remember: You pay no fees or cost unless we win. Call Christopher Ligori & associates for a free consultation with a seasoned lawyer.
Under Florida law, these property owners must show reasonable care to ensure that those who enter the property are not at risk of becoming injured. They have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions on the premises, and they must warn any visitors if there are dangerous conditions that have the potential to cause injury.
Failing to ensure safe conditions, that result in accidents may represent an unbearable cost for you. Even small injuries can mean thousands of dollars in not just hospital fees but also wages lost during your recovery time.
When injuries happen, it is often found that the property owner was not following the rules that were put in place to protect visitors. If they ignored these rules, our Tampa slip and fall lawyers may be able to prove negligence in your case.
Before You Call about Your Slip and Fall, Document Everything
Photos of the cause of a slip or trip and fall accident are extremely important and should be taken immediately with a camera or your phone at the location of the injury. Many causes of falls are repaired or cleaned up immediately; therefore, photos can provide crucial evidence of negligence.
Seeking a Tampa Slip and Fall Attorney?
If you are someone who has been injured and needs a Tampa slip or trip and fall attorney, call Christopher Ligori & Associates at 877-444-2929 for a free consultation.