If you or a loved one recently suffered a fall or injury on a property in Clearwater, you will have legitimate questions about liability. The committed team Florida slip and fall lawyers at Distasio Law Firm is here to give you answers to those questions and is available to provide sound legal counsel regarding your best course of action. Some common inquiries regarding slip and fall incidents include:
- Is the property owner responsible for causing my injuries?
- Can I be compensated for medical expenses and lost wages?
- How can a slip and fall attorney help me?
- How do I find the best Clearwater slip and fall lawyer?
A Clearwater slip and fall lawyer will answer these questions for you and if warranted, will work with you to hold the property owner responsible. We counsel our clients through this legal process and seek retribution to get them the compensation they deserve for their injuries. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, time is of the essence. Call Distasio Law Firm today so that we can discuss your case and get to work fighting for your rights as a victim and start you personal injury lawsuit.
THE DISTASIO LAW FIRM DIFFERENCE
Over the years, we’ve found three excellent ways to find the best slip and fall attorney in Clearwater for your case. When seeking a Clearwater tripping and falling lawyer, look for:
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE HANDLING SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENT CASES
Your lawyer should not only know Florida premises liability law. The knowledge is not enough. That lawyer should also have years of experience handling slip & fall injury cases in Clearwater. Scott Distasio has been handling these cases for over 27 years. His years of experience investigating, negotiating, filing lawsuits, taking depositions, and going to trial will absolutely make a difference in your case.
INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OF THE LAWYERS ABILITY
All attorneys claim they know what they are doing. Their marketing materials may also be persuasive. But you will only know the truth about that lawyer if the lawyer is rated by respected. independent, non-biased rating systems. Scott Distasio has an “AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. This is the highest rating an attorney can receive for both ability and ethics. Scott Distasio is also Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Trial Law. To achieve this accomplishment, a lawyer must have tried a minimum number of cases and passed a competency exam. Less than 1% of all Florida lawyers are Board Certified.
WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY TO GO TO TRIAL
Not all personal injury cases go to trial. The truth is most cases settle. If your case does need to go to trial, it’s important to hire a law firm that has the experience, resources and ability to try your case. Scott Distasio is a board certified civil trial lawyer. This gives him the right to call himself an expert trial lawyer.
ARE PREMISE OWNERS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL INJURIES THAT HAPPEN ON THEIR PROPERTY?
A property owner can be held accountable if it is proven that their wrongdoing or negligence led to an injury. Throughout the state of Florida, including Clearwater, a property owner is responsible for maintaining a safe environment at all times. The property owner must correct any problem that could result in an injury. Property owners also have a duty to inform everyone who enters their property as to any potential hazards or unsafe conditions that are or may be present. The Distasio Law Firm is experienced in the legal representation of slip and fall victims and after reviewing your particular situation in great detail, will advise you on the best way to move forward.
If a property creates a hazard or does not fix a harmful condition that leads to an individual’s injury from a fall, slip, or trip, it can lead to a slip and fall case. Clearwater Slip and fall incidents occur most frequently in:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Shopping malls
- Movie theaters
- Apartment complexes
- Office buildings
- Department stores
- Parking lots
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS?
Slip and fall accidents most commonly occur due to poor or dangerous conditions or when objects are left out of place. Parking lots, walkways, and stairs are the most likely areas of liability, as accidents are often caused by faulty railings, potholes, or uneven surfaces.
Property owners are responsible for keeping their environments clear of hazards. If there is a potential hazard, it is the property owner’s responsibility to notify all those who enter the property. An example of this type of warning is the wet floor signs that are sometimes seen in supermarkets, as many slip and fall accidents are caused by spilled liquids.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER A SLIP AND FALL INJURY IN CLEARWATER?
TAKE A MOMENT TO STUDY WHAT HAPPENED
While immediately after your fall you are probably disorientated and experiencing pain, consider all the details including the size, shape, color, and consistency of any object that caused the fall, as well as the conditions of the area at the time it occurred. Try to remember the actual fall itself, the events before the fall, if there was any type of liquid on the ground, and any of the relevant specifics about your shoes and clothing. If possible, write down all these details and do it as soon as possible after the fall.
TAKE PICTURES OF THE AREA WHERE YOU FELL, YOUR INJURIES, AND YOUR SHOES
Take several photographs, from a variety of angles of what caused the fall and of the surrounding areas. Also photograph your injuries and anything else that might be related to the situation. This will help ensure that you have accurate documentation. Memories fade and you can’t depend on property staff from where the fall occurred to correctly record the event.
IDENTIFY WITNESSES TO THE FALL
Get the names, phone numbers, and addresses of as many witnesses as possible. Find out if it was already known that a hazard existed, and if so, how long that condition had been present.
FILL OUT A STORE INCIDENT REPORT
Some businesses may take the position that the slip and fall never occurred if they were not notified. Be sure to find a manager or owner, insist on filling out an incident report, and then get a copy of that report.
ASK THE STORE TO PRESERVE ANY SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF THE EVENT
Most businesses have video surveillance running. That video is very important as it can show how long the hazardous condition existed, how it was created, whether it was ever detected as a danger, and even how you fell. Because periodically many video systems record over old footage, you should immediately request that a copy be saved and that you be given a copy. Make a note of exactly who you asked and document your request by putting it in writing.
GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR YOUR INJURIES
Don’t wait to see if your injuries go away on their own. It is common to feel a little embarrassed after a fall, but do seek medical attention right away to fully document your injuries with an independent source. If you wait too long before getting treatment, that gap in time might give the property owner the opportunity to claim that your injuries were not a result of the fall.
COMMON INJURIES THAT WILL ARISE FROM A SLIP AND FALL INCLUDE:
- Back injuries
- Fractures and broken bones, such as hips, arms, ankles, tailbones
- Spinal injuries
- Bruising and soreness
CONSULT A CLEARWATER INJURY LAWYER FOR YOUR SLIP AND FALL INJURY
If you suffered injuries after tripping and falling down on another person’s property, you could pursue damages through a civil claim. Get in touch with an experienced Clearwater slip and fall lawyer at Distasio Law Firm to learn more about your legal options with a free consultation.
