Slip and Fall Settlement Example in Florida
Many personal injury cases, including slip and fall claims, are settled outside of court. This means that the injured and responsible party comes to an agreement of compensation, allowing everyone to avoid court fees and time. Here is a real-life example of a slip and fall settlement case and how it might occur.
Slip and Fall Injury in a Retail Location
Betty is in the process of her weekly grocery shopping. She is slowly walking the aisles, filling her cart with the items she needs for the week. As she pushes her cart into the opening at the end of the aisle, her foot slides, pulling her forward quickly. She tries to catch herself with her other foot, but that one slides, too.
She hits the display on the end of the aisle, falling to the ground, right on her back. She cries out in pain and other shoppers run to help her. They call an ambulance and help her sit up, but the pain is radiating throughout her body, so she doesn’t want to stand yet.
Read more: Florida Slip and Fall Laws
Medical Treatments from Slip and Fall
The ambulance takes her to the hospital where she is treated for broken ribs and a potential concussion. She had to spend the night in the hospital before going home for recovery. She won’t be able to get out of bed for weeks, which means she’ll have to pay for someone to do her shopping.
Betty still doesn’t know what happened. One minute, she was paying attention to her shopping, and the next, she is in a hospital room. She doesn’t really think about it until she gets a medical bill in the mail. Her grandson visits her one night and discusses the potential of filing a personal injury case. She immediately turns him down, but then considers it when she realizes how much pain she is in and how much this injury can affect her life going forward. She hasn’t been able to take her evening walks and she’s getting bored sitting at home all day and night.
Finding a Personal Injury Lawyer
Her son helps her find a lawyer, just to find out what it would entail. The lawyer tells her that it is likely she is eligible for some compensation, but that they will need to find out what happened. He assigns a few investigators on his team to track down witness information and videos. They find out that an employee had recently mopped the floors, but they didn’t put out a wet floor sign to warn the shoppers. They also find that the display shelves were not installed properly.
Demand Letter
They send an initial demand letter, notifying them of the wrongdoing. The grocery store’s lawyer calls hers, offering a settlement that only partially covers her costs. The lawyer discusses it with Betty, who agrees to fight for more. In addition to her initial costs, she will likely need physical therapy and main need follow-up medical appointments.
Settlement Agreement
The retail provider agrees to a new settlement, one that appropriately covers her damages and they sign an agreement. Betty continues her recovery and has the funds she needs.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Contact a Plantation Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Slip and Fall Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a slip and fall accident 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 because of a slip and fall in Plantation, Broward, Weston, Pembroke Pines, 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 Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach, FL.
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.