Slip and fall accidents can leave victims with seriously debilitating injuries. St. Petersburg slip and fall accident victims may struggle to pay their medical bills, miss time from work, and suffer from lingering pain.
Many accident victims are entitled to compensation from those responsible for the conditions that preceded their fall. Slip and fall accidents typically fall under personal injury law and premises liability. If you’ve suffered slip and fall injuries, consider working with a knowledgeable premises liability attorney from Lewis & Castagliola, P.A.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Injuries
Premises liability means that property owners are responsible for injuries that occur if someone slips and falls on their property. Your personal injury lawyer can help you hold the owner of the property accountable for your resulting serious injury.
A slip and fall case is one of the most common personal injury cases, but the details involved in your slip and fall claim can be unbelievably complicated. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, speak to a Florida personal injury attorney from Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. right away.
Common St. Petersburg Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip, trip, and fall injuries can be inconsequential and only cause bruising or mild abrasions, or they can have devastating effects. It is always a good idea to visit your doctor following any type of fall injury, especially if those injuries were caused by the action or inaction of another.
Victims of slip and fall injuries that occur on property owned by another individual could be eligible to file a slip and fall suit. Slip, trip, and fall accidents may be caused by a wide range of situations, such as bad weather conditions, lack of proper maintenance, ignoring repairs, or the failure to clean up a mess.
The following are the most frequently occurring injuries that arise from slip and fall accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, bruises, and lacerations
- Temporary disability
- Permanent disability
Legal Actions in a Florida Slip and Fall
In most cases, you can take legal action if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident. You will need to meet certain criteria before filing a successful lawsuit. In Florida, you must prove the following to successfully sue for a slip and fall:
- The property owner or business owed you a duty of care
- The property owner didn’t use reasonable care in maintaining the property
- The property owner had enough time to correct the hazardous condition but didn’t
- You were injured as a result of the property not being maintained
St. Petersburg Slip and Fall Attorney Duties
Personal injury lawsuits and claims are meant to compensate victims for their losses. This means you need to provide extensive evidence of your injuries and all related losses. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, our firm can review everything you’re facing and answer your questions in a free consultation. We don’t charge you for the initial consultation and can fully review your case and advise on which actions to take.
Slip and Fall Investigations
Lewis & Castagliola, P.A. can launch an independent investigation into what happened. We will use the evidence we find to prove the other party was negligent. Our attorneys can identify all possible sources of compensation. Since most accident victims don’t understand the full amount of compensation they’re entitled to receive, we can identify what you deserve.
Our slip and fall law firm will also thoroughly document the damages you’ve suffered. We’ll collect your medical expenses, pay stubs, and other evidence to demonstrate just how much you’ve suffered.
We have an extensive network of experts, including medical specialists, vocational experts, and accident reconstruction experts. We will work with them to help substantiate your claim.
Slip and Fall Negotiations and Trial
Our lawyers understand the importance of aggressively negotiating on your behalf. We will be forthright in our negotiations with insurers to demand the fair settlement you deserve. If necessary, we will argue your case at a trial. When insurance companies refuse to provide a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial to recover your damages.
How Much Is My Slip and Fall Worth?
The details of your accident and injuries will determine your case’s value. No one can determine your case’s worth without understanding all the facets of your claim. However, the following common types of damages can be compensated for in slip and fall claims:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Household expenses
- Incidental expenses
Comparative Negligence
According to Florida’s comparative negligence law, if you were partly liable for your tripping accident, you can be assigned a percentage of fault. This means any compensation you are awarded will be reduced by that same percentage.
Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall in Florida
The statute of limitations in Florida is typically four years from the date of your accident. Prior to filing your claim, your lawyer needs to conduct an investigation, collect evidence, and gather medical reports and other documents detailing your damages.
This takes time, so it’s important to speak directly to a slip and fall lawyer as soon as you can. If you do not file your claim within four years of the accident, your claim is likely to be dropped.
Protect Your Rights After a Slip and Fall Accident
After being injured in a slip and fall accident that is no fault of your own, you have certain legal rights. It’s essential that you take certain steps to protect your rights. Our slip and fall law firm suggests that you:
- Get medical attention right away. Getting medical help can ensure your injuries are thoroughly documented from the start.
- Notify the property owner. If you were hurt on a business’ property, you may need to fill out an incident report. If you do, make sure you get a copy of it for evidence in your claim
- Collect evidence that proves fault. This can include photos of the accident scene, clothes you were wearing during the accident, medical bills, medical records, and proof of your lost wages.
- Document everything as you proceed through treatment. Keep a journal of how you’re recovering and how your injuries are impacting your life.
- Contact a seasoned personal injury attorney to represent your slip and fall claim.
Our attorney’s duty is to make sure your rights are protected. We can help you demand the full amount of compensation you deserve. You can choose to represent yourself in your personal injury suit, but seasoned law professionals always suggest working with a dedicated attorney.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall?
If you were hurt, you should discuss your options with a lawyer from Lewis & Castagliola. There are many things a slip and fall attorney can do to support you. Your attorney can reach out to expert witnesses, subpoena evidence when necessary, and accurately determining the full amount of damages you are entitled to receive.
