Who hasn’t gotten a laugh after watching a hilarious online video of someone slipping and falling? These types of incidents are often funny to witness, but they can also be pretty dangerous depending on the circumstances surrounding the fall.
If you do wind up in a serious situation after a slip and fall in Florida, then it’s important to visit your doctor right away. You might be eligible to seek out compensation for your losses. Are you considering pursuing a lawsuit to pay for your Florida slip and fall losses? If so, then there are a few things you need to know first.
Related blog: What To Expect From Your Slip And Fall Lawsuit
An Overview of Slip and Fall Laws in Florida
Not every slip and fall accident in Florida gives rise to a lawsuit. If you’re thinking of pursuing a claim, then you need to ensure that your accident meets the following circumstances:
- Your slip and fall occurred on someone else’s property
- The property owner had a duty to provide for your care
- The property owner failed to take reasonable steps to secure the area
- This negligence resulted in your accident
- Your accident led to specific damages
To meet these conditions, you generally need to prove that you were allowed to be on the property and that the property owner was negligent in keeping the area safe. Then, you need to prove you suffered financial loss by providing medical bills, documentation about lost income and other evidence.
You have a limited amount of time after your injury to pursue compensation. In Florida, the statute of limitations for slip and fall claims is four years.
Comparative Negligence: Do My Own Actions Matter After a Slip and Fall?
Florida courtrooms operate under a comparative negligence standard. This means that your own actions will be taken into account during your claim. If you were trespassing on someone else’s land or your own recklessness contributed to the accident, then you might not be eligible to seek out full compensation. Your compensation award will be reduced based on the percentage of fault that’s attributed to your own carelessness. If your case doesn’t make it to trial, comparative negligence will still play a role in the negotiation process.
Related blog: Florida’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law Can Reduce Compensation
Contact a Ft. Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a slip and fall in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured by slip and fall accidents in Broward, Dade, Palm Beach Counties, and throughout Florida. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 as well as offices in Pemboke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach and Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.