Fort Lauderdale
Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

Have you suffered an injury from a fall on someone else’s property in Fort Lauderdale? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for the harm you sustained through no fault of your own. However, obtaining the money you are owed can prove more difficult than it should be, especially if you are still recovering from your injuries.

The Fort Lauderdale slip-and-fall injury lawyers at Phillips | Tadros, P.A., can help you stand up to careless property owners and big insurance companies and demand fair compensation after a slip-and-fall. We can evaluate your situation and explain how our experienced attorneys can handle the case during a free initial consultation. Contact us now to get started on your case.

Common Places Where Slip-and-Falls Occur

While a slip-and-fall accident can happen almost anywhere, certain areas present a heightened risk. These places include:

• Retail stores – Unattended spills, highly waxed floors, and cluttered shopping aisles are some of the most common slip-and-fall hazards at a retail outlet.
• Restaurants and bars – Many restaurants and bars keep the lights low for the ambiance, increasing the risk that patrons and staff overlook potential hazards, especially spilled food and beverages.
• Healthcare facilities – Hospitals, clinics, and medical offices often have linoleum floors for easier cleaning. These surfaces present slip-and-fall risks when they’ve recently been mopped or when medical or bodily fluids spill onto them.
• Construction sites – Construction workers are especially prone to slip-and-fall injuries due to shabby scaffolds and open trenches without proper barricades.
• Entertainment venues – Guests at sports arenas, theaters, and theme parks are at risk for slip-and-falls because of uncleaned spills, crowds, and unfamiliarity with the surroundings.
• Swimming pools – Many slips, trips, and falls occur in and around swimming pools due to wet walkways, slippery pool ladders, and algae-covered steps.
• Apartment complexes and condominiums – Residents and visitors can slip and fall in poorly lit or maintained housing facilities such as apartment buildings and condos.

Pursuing Compensation After a Slip-and-Fall Accident

Florida law requires those who own or control property to keep their premises reasonably safe and well-maintained for invitees and other guests. If a property owner or controller is negligent in the upkeep of their property, they could be liable for injuries that occur due to preventable accidents on their premises.

Accident victims can prove liability in a Florida slip-and-fall injury case by showing that a property owner or controller knew or should have known about a hazardous condition and did nothing to repair the hazard or warn visitors about it. Some slip-and-fall victims can also prove liability by demonstrating a general lack of maintenance.

An adult trespasser can only seek compensation from a Florida property owner if the trespasser gets hurt due to a hazardous property condition that is “not readily observable” but is known to the owner or controller. Property owners might also be liable for injuries to minor trespassers who visit uninvited and get hurt due to “attractive nuisances” on the property, such as unattended swimming pools.

Florida Statute § 768.0755 specifies the factors you must demonstrate to succeed in a premises liability claim against a business establishment after a slip-and-fall on a “transitory foreign substance.” A transitory foreign substance is any liquid or solid material that is temporarily located somewhere it shouldn’t be, such as a spill or pile of debris on the floor. To secure compensation after a fall caused by a transitory foreign substance, you must prove that:

• The hazardous condition presented by the foreign substance was present for long enough that the property owner or controller should have noticed it; or
• The hazardous condition occurred frequently enough that the property owner or controller should have foreseen the risk.

If you can demonstrate that you sustained slip-and-fall injuries due to the negligence of a property owner in Florida, you could receive compensation for losses including:

• Hospital bills and other medical costs you incur due to your slip-and-fall injuries
• Incidental expenses, such as out-of-pocket travel costs for doctor’s appointments
• Reduced income from any time you miss at work due to your slip-and-fall injuries
• Projected losses in your future earning potential, if your injuries are permanent
• Subjective losses, such as injury-related pain, suffering, and lost quality of life

Who Might Be Liable in a Slip-and-Fall Accident Case?

Many personal injury victims will file premises liability claims and lawsuits against whoever owns the property where the accident occurred. However, anyone who occupies or has control of a property could be liable in a slip-and-fall case, not just the property’s legal owner. Depending on the circumstances, you could seek compensation from one or several of the following parties in a Fort Lauderdale slip-and-fall claim:

The property owner or other liable party might claim that you were partially at fault for a slip-and-fall accident yourself. The good news is that Florida law allows you to seek compensation for slip-and-fall injuries even if you were partially to blame. However, note that the money you recover will decrease based on how much you were at fault for the accident.

A Fort Lauderdale slip-and-fall lawyer can protect your rights, fight back against the insurance company’s attempts to pin the blame on you, and avoid common filing mistakes that could cost you money.

What to Do If You Were Hurt in a Fall on Someone Else’s Property

If you get hurt in a slip-and-fall on someone else’s property in Fort Lauderdale, take the following steps to protect your health and get a head start on your injury claim:

• Seek medical care to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and documented.
• Follow your doctor’s care plan to improve your prognosis and speed up your recovery.
• Gather claim evidence, such as photos, incident reports, and witness statements.
• Collect your medical bills and other essential documentation like proof-of-income statements and recent pay stubs.
• Avoid sharing any information or photos online while your claim is pending.
• Watch what you say to others before you discuss your injury claim with a lawyer. If the property owner’s insurance company wants to speak with you, don’t do so until you’ve consulted with an attorney.

Florida Statute of Limitations on Slip-and-Fall Claims

If you cannot recover fair compensation for your slip-and-fall injuries through an insurance claim, you might need to file a personal injury lawsuit. But keep in mind that there is a slip-and-fall lawsuit timeline. State Law gives you two years from the date of the slip-and-fall to sue or risk forfeiting your right to demand compensation in court.

A Fort Lauderdale slip-and-fall attorney at Phillips | Tadros, P.A., can identify important legal deadlines and keep your case on track from day one. We are prepared to handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on rest and recovery.

How Can a Fort Lauderdale Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help Me?

When you retain the services of Phillips | Tadros, P.A., you can count on a slip-and-fall lawyer in Fort Lauderdale to support you by:

• Conducting an independent investigation into the slip-and-fall accident.
• Gathering evidence like injury reports, medical records, and witness statements.
• Communicating with employers, insurers, and other parties on your behalf.
• Handling important case documents, details, and deadlines.
• Negotiating forcefully to maximize the value of your slip-and-fall injury settlement.
• Taking your case to trial if the liable party won’t offer a fair settlement.
• Offering personalized, attentive legal guidance every step of the way.