Many slips and falls happen due to the negligence of a property or business owner who failed to properly maintain their property or implement appropriate safety measures. For workers, many workplace slips and falls could have been prevented by having access to the right safety equipment and training. If you experienced a slip and fall injury due to the negligence of a property or business owner, you might be able to hold them liable for your injuries.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five falls causes very serious injuries, including head injuries or broken bones. The cost to treat these injuries varies but can end up being a real financial challenge for the families impacted by slip and fall accidents. Treating a minor sprain or fracture can cost several hundred dollars, whereas brain injury recovery can range from $85,000 to $3,000,000 over the course of a patient’s lifetime.

To maximize your chances of a speedy settlement after your slip and fall injury, it is important to choose the right personal injury attorney with experience in slip and fall cases in your specific area. They will have insight into the specific judges, courthouses, companies, and defense lawyers that you may be involved with during the course of your case. Contact Distasio Law Firm to schedule an appointment with a Lutz slip and fall lawyer that can help you during this difficult time.

Benefits of Hiring a Slip and Fall Attorney

Hiring a slip and fall attorney offers victims many benefits over trying to settle claims without the help of an experienced personal law attorney. Many large companies, such as big-box stores and regional grocery store chains, will not offer significant settlements to slip and fall victims unless they hire an effective attorney. Some other benefits of hiring a slip and fall attorney include:

  • Recover compensation – Go after the cost of medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
  • Gather critical evidence – A slip and fall attorney can help you gather critical evidence that you need to win your case, including videotape surveillance and eye witness depositions.
  • Increase access to medical care – Individuals without health insurance can increase their access to quality medical care by working with a personal injury attorney who can ensure that medical costs are covered.
  • Prevent future injuries – If unsafe conditions caused your slip and fall injury, filing a slip and fall legal claim can help to ensure that the property owner addresses the safety concerns so no one else is hurt.

You don’t have to fight to win a slip and fall case on your own. With the help of a trustworthy and experienced slip and fall attorney in Lutz, you can get the support you need to settle or win your case.

Who Is Liable in Slip and Fall Cases?

The most basic question that needs to be answered in a slip and fall case is, “Who is liable?”. Liability, or who is responsible for the incident, is determined based on a few factors. There is an inherent responsibility to maintain your space so that falls can be reasonably avoided. In most cases, slip and falls are truly accidents that can be avoided, but something went unhandled and led to the accident. For example, a water jug refilling station, like the kind that you see at the grocery store, can leave water on the floor because of spills or mechanical problems. Since the store owns the location and the machine, it is responsible for cleaning up spills and taking preventive actions to avoid problems. If you slip and fall on the water, then the store is likely responsible since it did not clean it up or did not do something to prevent the spill from being a problem.

Other cases are more difficult to determine. Much of it relies on the condition of the location at the time and if reasonable measures are taken to protect people. In another example, that same grocery store has a tile missing from its floor. The tile is scheduled to be replaced and the store places signs and barriers around the missing tile. If you step into the hole and fall, the store is likely not responsible. The store took necessary and reasonable precautions to keep you from getting hurt. It all comes down to who is responsible for the location, and if they are doing the right thing to keep people safe.

Comparative Fault Laws

The laws in the state of Florida that determine who is liable for slip and fall accidents is outlined in Florida Statute 768 Section 81. It deals with negligence, meaning cases where the owner of the location is not taking appropriate actions to avoid injuries. A location is responsible if negligence is proven, meaning that they did not do what was necessary and reasonable to prevent the accident. The statute also outlines the guidelines for assigning fault and compensation. In short, the statute says that if the responsible party did not try to prevent the accident, then the person/people responsible must also be responsible for any compensation deemed necessary as a result of the accident by the court. To learn more about slip and fall laws in Florida, schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer in Lutz today.

Contact a Lutz Slip and Fall Attorney Now

When it comes to slip and fall accident legal claims, it is important to contact a slip and fall attorney as soon as you can. The more time that passes from your injury to the process of discovery, evidence can be lost. If you’ve experienced a slip and fall injury in the Lutz, Florida area, contact a Lutz slip and fall lawyer at Distasio Law Firm to discuss your possible legal claim today.

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Our main office is here in Downtown Tampa, Florida in the Channelside neighborhood. Office in Wesley Chapel and Largo are available by appointment only.

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