Tampa Slip And Fall Lawyers

Was Your Slip and Fall Injury Caused by the Property Owner’s Negligence?

The aftermath of a slip and fall injury can be overwhelming. Victims are dealing with serious, debilitating injuries, mounting medical bills, inability to work and uncertainty about what to do next. Contacting a lawyer can be an important step.

The Tampa slip and fall lawyers at Chris Ligori & Associates have been representing the injured in Tampa for decades and we have obtained millions on their behalf. We are committed to securing favorable results, but more importantly, we are committed to you during this difficult time in your life. We provide a free initial consultation to discuss your case and you pay no fees unless we win.

When Can Florida Property Owners Be Held Liable For a Slip and Fall?

In Florida, property owners have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe premises. They could be held liable for a slip and fall if they failed to repair or clean up a hazardous condition or warn visitors of the danger.

Some property owners have a duty to routinely inspect the premises for slip and fall risks. For instance, there is often a legal duty to routinely inspect areas of a grocery store where moisture often accumulates, such as near a refrigerator.

In some cases, unsafe conditions may be created by a failure to follow safety regulations. For example, some businesses have ramps or stairs that are not up to code. There are also regulations on the proper posting of safety notices. Violations of these rules could be used to prove property owner negligence.

However, victims have the burden of proof in a slip and fall case. That is why you need an experienced Tampa slip and fall lawyer to gather evidence of property owner negligence.

Partner Chris Ligori is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers, an invitation-only organization. He is also on the Florida Justice Association’s Board of Directors.

What Does Your Lawyer Need to Prove?

There are various aspects of negligence in a slip and fall case:

• Dangerous Condition: There must have been a hazardous condition on the property that caused the slip and fall. Examples include wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose carpeting or poorly lit areas. Your lawyer must establish that the hazardous condition directly caused you to fall, and the fall is what caused your injuries.
• Knowledge of the Hazard: The property owner or occupier must have known the hazard existed. Otherwise, there must have been a reasonable expectation that the owner would know of the hazard, such as if:
  • An employee created the hazard.
  • Employees knew about the hazard but did not take proper action to address it.
  • The hazard existed for such a length of time that the owner or their employees should have discovered and fixed it before the slip and fall.
• Failure to Address the Condition: The property owner did not take reasonable steps to fix the dangerous condition or provide adequate warning, such as a wet floor sign.
• The Victim Had a Legal Right to Enter the Premises: Typically, trespassers cannot recover compensation for a slip and fall injury. However, property owners have a different duty of care based on the slip and fall victim’s legal status. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees, such as customers who enter a store. Property owners have a lower duty of care to licensees. For instance, if you go to someone’s house, they should inform you about dangerous conditions you are unlikely to discover on your own.
• Your Injuries Resulted in Damages: Your attorney must prove you have medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other damages. Otherwise, there is no case.

What Steps Should Victims Take After a Tampa Slip and Fall?

The experienced Tampa slip and fall attorneys at Chris Ligori & Associates are prepared to manage every aspect of the legal process on your behalf. That said, there are steps you can take to help protect your claim:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Some injuries, such as a concussion, internal bleeding or soft tissue damage, may not become apparent until hours or days later. A healthcare professional can assess your condition and provide the necessary treatment to help avoid potentially life-threatening complications.

Follow Your Doctor’s Advice

Following your doctor’s treatment plan is critical for a full recovery. This may include taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments and going to physical therapy. Ignoring medical advice can lead to prolonged recovery times and potentially worsen your condition. Disobeying the doctor’s order could also undermine your claim.

Keep Track of Your Progress

Documenting your symptoms, pain levels and any limitations you experience can be useful for your recovery and legal case. Keeping a detailed record will help your healthcare providers adjust your treatment plan as needed. These records also help your lawyer to place an appropriate value on your damages.

Avoid Making Statements About the Accident

While you should report the accident after it happens, and you can give a basic description of it, you should avoid saying much beyond that. Anything you say will be used against you to deny or devalue your claim. Inconsistencies and off-hand comments could be interpreted as admissions of fault.

Take Pictures at the Scene

Once you leave the scene, the area could be cleaned up or repaired, making it much harder to document what happened. Pictures right after the accident can go a long way toward proving your case. Without pictures, property owners could claim there was nothing on the floor that caused you to fall.

Gather Witness Information

Collect the names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the slip and fall. Witness statements can be crucial in proving your case, especially if what they report validates your statements about the incident.

Contact an Experienced Attorney

There is limited time to file a case, so you should find an attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at our law firm thoroughly investigate these cases to find the evidence we need to establish property owner liability. This includes obtaining available video footage. This is a critical point, as businesses often cover up video evidence of a slip and fall.

At Chris Ligori & Associates, you matter. You are not a number. You have suffered an injury, and you need help with the legal process. We have obtained millions on behalf of our clients and were are ready to fight for you every step of the way.

Where and Why Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?

Slip and falls can happen in a variety of locations, including:

• Grocery stores
• Shopping malls
• Construction sites
• Apartment/condo buildings
• Residential homes
• Theme/amusement parks
• Hotels
• Airports
• Government office buildings
• Community pools

These accidents are caused by various conditions/hazards, such as:

• Wet or slippery surfaces caused by spills, cleaning activities, rain, snow or ice
• Uneven flooring, including cracked sidewalks, loose tiles, worn-out carpets or unsteady floorboards
• Dim or nonexistent lighting in hallways or over staircases or parking lots
• Debris, obstacles, and clutter in walkways, aisles or hallways that obstruct the path
• Broken steps, loose handrails or steep gradients pose significant risks
• The absence of handrails in necessary areas like staircases and ramps
• Rain and other accumulations of water can create slippery conditions on outdoor walkways, driveways and entryways
• Mats and rugs not securely fastened to the floor can slide and cause someone to lose their footing

Call a Tampa Slip and Fall Lawyer for Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall accident in the Tampa area, Chris Ligori & Associates is here to help. We have decades of combined experience and a track record of success in injury cases.

We are committed to securing the compensation you need to recover fully and return to your daily life. Remember, you pay no fees or costs unless we win your case.