Caution wet floor sign, slip and fall injury

FLORIDA SLIP AND FALL INJURY LAWYERS

A trip or slip and fall accident can result in broken bones, soft tissue damage, brain trauma, and many other devastating injuries. We have an extensive background in complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling (352) 732-9191 or email us today.

TYPES OF CASES WE HANDLE

A slip and fall can happen anywhere. One spilled drink or small puddle could be all it takes to cause debilitating injuries. With a comprehensive knowledge of Florida premises liability laws, the Personal Injury Attorneys at Alavi & Pozzuto provide aggressive legal representation in the following types of cases:

  • Indoor slip and fall injuries;
  • Outdoor slip and fall injuries;
  • Slips and falls in supermarkets;
  • Slips and falls that occur on sidewalks and walkways;
  • Slips and falls at marinas;
  • Slips and falls on boats;
  • Slips and falls in apartment complexes;
  • Slips and falls caused by rain, snow, or sleet;
  • Slips and falls that occur on tile, carpet, concrete, or linoleum;
  • Slips and falls due to inadequate lighting or lack of handrails; and
  • Slips and falls on elevators or escalators.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to representing victims of slip and fall accidents. It’s important that you find a Florida slip and fall attorney who will give your case personalized attention. The premises liability lawyers at Alavi & Pozzuto will investigate your case to identify all potentially liable parties. We will gather evidence of liability before it becomes unavailable, which might include:

  • Surveillance footage of your fall;
  • Witness testimony;
  • Testimony from expert witnesses;
  • Records of slips and falls on the same property;
  • Photos of the dangerous condition that caused your fall;
  • Maintenance records; and
  • The incident and police reports.

WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE AFTER A SLIP AND FALL IN FLORIDA?

The answer to this question depends on the specific facts of your case. Once hired, our attorneys will evaluate your medical records, invoices from accident-related expenses, and other evidence you have gathered to determine the types of damages you may be able to recover.

Whether you’ve been injured in an accident, on the job, or on someone’s property, if you can prove liability you may receive financial compensation for your claim. This compensation is known as “damages” in personal injury law and will be awarded depending on how your injury has impacted your life.

COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN FLORIDA

There are two categories of compensation in Florida personal injury law: Compensatory and punitive. Here is a guide to the types of damages available in Florida.

  • Compensatory DamagesCompensatory damages are awarded to compensate for the costs incurred from the injury. Compensatory damages include:
    • Medical Treatment: The cost of any medical costs associated with the injury. These include everything from the initial diagnosis of the injury to physical therapy to the future care required as a result of the injury.
    • Pain And Suffering: Pain and suffering is compensation for the physical pain that you have had to endure from the injury.
    • Emotional Distress: Florida allows compensation for the emotional distress as a result of the injury. Things like anxiety, depression, and insomnia can all be considered for damages. Emotional distress can also include “loss of enjoyment” damages which means that as a result of the injury your ability to enjoy life has been significantly reduced.
    • Loss Of Consortium: Loss of consortium is a damage common in wrongful death cases as well as cases where a severe injury has negatively impacted the relationships of the injured. Loss of consortium damages are awarded when the plaintiff proves that the injury has ruined their familial relationships. Though the state of Florida does not have any specific laws pertaining to loss of consortium, under common law it can still be pursued.
    • Lost Wages: Lost wages is the value of the wages that have been lost from missing work as a result of the injury. Lost wages can also cover future losses especially if the injury is an impediment to a person’s livelihood.
    • Property Damage: Property damage covers the cost of any property that was damaged during the accident.
    • Defamation: Defamation is damages awarded to a plaintiff when the defendant has libeled or slandered them and they have faced resulting injury. Defamation is also sometimes referred to as “loss of reputation.”
  • Punitive Damages
    Punitive damages are awarded when there has been gross negligence on the part of the defendant. Punitive damages are awarded as a way to punish any wrongdoing. These damages are usually awarded after a ruling of gross negligence where the accident was a result of intentional or egregiously negligent actions.In the state of Florida there is a cap on punitive damages. As a general rule, they cannot exceed three times the compensatory damages or $500,000 per individual, whichever is lower. However there are exceptions in cases with a high degree of intent.

UNDERSTANDING COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE

Florida is a comparative negligence state, so the amount of damages awarded, whether they are compensatory or punitive, will be determined by comparative fault. So fault will be split between the plaintiff and defendant, by percentages, even if the plaintiff only has a small amount of liability.

The damages you receive depend on the type of claim, evidence, severity of injury, degree of negligence, the amount of income you lost during recovery, whether you will be able to return to work, the effects of your injuries on your relationships, and many other factors. To receive the full range of damages you are owed, you need to hire a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

We will calculate your damages to make sure your claim includes all possible recoverable losses.

WHAT STEPS CAN I TAKE TO STRENGTHEN MY FLORIDA SLIP AND FALL CLAIM?

There are several important steps you should take after your fall and over the hours and days that follow to strengthen your claim. Those steps include:

  • Write down the sequence of events that led to your accident including details about where your fall occurred—whether the ground was wet, the lighting conditions, the weather conditions, etc.;
  • Take time-stamped photos of the accident scene before the property owner has a chance to fix the hazard that caused your fall;
  • Report the incident to the property owner or manager, and ask for a copy of the incident report;
  • Put your shoes and the clothes you were wearing in a safe place in case the at-fault party argues that your footwear contributed to your fall;
  • Record the contact information of witnesses;
  • Seek medical attention; and
  • Contact a reputable slip and fall lawyer in the Ocala and Gainesville area to discuss how to proceed with your claim.

CONTACT A FLORIDA SLIP AND FALL LAWYER TODAY

If you or someone you love was injured in a slip and fall accident, turn to the legal team at Alavi & Pozzuto for reliable legal guidance. Our personal injury attorneys are skilled at handling complex settlement negotiations and litigating high-stakes cases. Call (352) 732-9191 to schedule a free initial consultation or use this form to tell us about your case.