Slip-and-fall accidents can occur when property or business owners fail to maintain a duty of care. These types of accidents are often the result of unsafe conditions, such as torn carpeting, uneven and cracked sidewalks, and wet, slippery floors without any warning signs. Slip-and-fall injury claims are covered under premises liability laws in Florida.
However, obtaining the compensation you deserve can be challenging due to the complexities of these laws. In order to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, getting help from a knowledgeable slip-and-fall attorney in Clearwater is highly recommended.
Were you injured in a slip-and-fall accident? Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, now.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
It is imperative to report the accident immediately to the appropriate person and initiate an accident injury report. You should also seek medical treatment for your injuries. Sometimes, injuries may not be apparent following the slip-and-fall accident. Getting medical treatment can uncover internal injuries, bone fractures, and other injuries that are not visible.
How Do I Know if I Need a Lawyer for My Slip-and-Fall Case?
Deciding whether you need a slip-and-fall lawyer in Clearwater, FL, for your case begins with a free case evaluation and consultation. During your consultation, your lawyer will provide free legal advice, answer any questions, and advise you on how best to proceed with your slip-and-fall case. After the consultation, you can decide whether you need a lawyer.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in Slip-and-Fall Accidents?
Some of the common slip-and-fall injuries sustained include:
- Fractured and broken hips
- Fractured and broken bones
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries
- Swelling, bruising, pain, and soft tissue damage
- Knee injuries
- Sprained and strained muscles, wrists, and ankles
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Dislocated shoulders
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Partial paralysis
- Chronic pain
How Can a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help Me?
After being injured, a slip-and-fall attorney in Clearwater provides free expert legal advice. Should you hire a lawyer, they will represent your interests by providing the following:
- Gather all evidence in your case to prove the other party was negligent
- File your injury claim with the defendant’s insurance
- Determine if other third parties could also be liable for your injuries
- Negotiate a reasonable settlement with the insurance company
- Litigate your case at trial if a settlement cannot be reached
- Provide you peace of mind and stress relief to allow you to focus on recovery and healing
What Evidence Is Needed To Prove a Slip-and-Fall Case?
In order to prove a slip-and-fall case, it will require more than just your testimony of the events that led up to the accident. You will also need sufficient evidence to establish negligence, including:
- Accident report: You should file an accident report with the business after your slip and fall. This report will help collaborate on the incident.
- Police report: If you called the police and filed a police report, you will want a copy of the report to further support your injury claim.
- Witness statements: You should obtain the contact details of any witnesses who can provide sworn statements.
- Pictures and videos: You should try to take pictures and videos of where the accident took place.
- Medical records: You will want copies of all your medical records related to the treatment you received for your injuries.
- Video camera footage: If you notice video cameras in the area where you were injured, let your slip-and-fall lawyer in Clearwater know so they can obtain the footage.
- A record of lost wages: If you cannot work or have to work reduced hours, you should provide documentation showing your lost wages.
Your testimony: You should write down or record what occurred, where it occurred, and other relevant details as soon as possible following the accident while the events are still fresh in your memory.
How Long Do I Have To File a Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit in Clearwater, FL?
Florida Statute 95.11(4) allows you up to two years after the accident date to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Clearwater, FL. However, the time period can vary if the incident occurred on government property. Therefore, filing your lawsuit as soon as possible after the slip-and-fall accident is a good idea.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip-and-Fall Case?
You can recover economic and non-economic damages in a slip-and-fall case, including:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of medical devices and aids
- Mental health counseling services
- Ongoing rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer?
There are usually no initial upfront, out-of-pocket legal fees or costs to hire a Clearwater slip-and-fall lawyer. Most lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only collect legal fees after they settle your claim or reach a verdict in your favor at trial. In the event they cannot win your case, you owe them nothing.
Legal fees are usually 30% of your settlement or award amount received. Your slip-and-fall attorney in Clearwater will review their fee structure during your free initial consultation.
Can I Handle My Slip-and-Fall Case Without a Lawyer?
Some people think they can handle their case without help from an experienced slip-and-fall attorney. However, they are not knowledgeable about premises liability laws and how much the defendant could actually owe them in compensation.
For instance, what happens if you slip and fall in a grocery store and do not hire a lawyer? The grocery store’s insurance company will quickly settle the claim for the least amount possible. They will pay your immediate medical bills and probably offer you gift cards as compensation.
Unfortunately, many people who didn’t get help from a lawyer find out later they were entitled to a much larger amount. Additionally, insurance companies are notorious for getting people to settle for their current losses, not potential future losses.
Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot go back later and demand further compensation. Ensuring you get a fair settlement that includes both present and future needs requires getting help from a qualified slip-and-fall accident attorney.
Do Slip-and-Fall Settlements Take a Lot of Time?
One common question people have is, do slip-and-fall settlements take a lot of time? It depends on the circumstances and extent of injuries. Generally, slip-and-fall settlements without surgery could take between four and six months. For cases where surgery is required and ongoing medical care is needed, it could take six months to a year, or sometimes slightly longer.
What Should I Look for When Choosing a Slip-and-Fall Lawyer in Clearwater, FL?
There are several factors you need to consider when choosing the best slip-and-fall lawyer in Clearwater, including:
- Their experience: You want a lawyer experienced in personal injury and premises liability lawsuits. They should have a proven track record of successful outcomes for other slip-and-fall cases.
- Their communication and ease of accessibility: Slip-and-fall lawyers often have numerous clients. However, they should make you feel valued by openly communicating the status of your case and being easily accessible whenever you have questions and concerns.
- Success record: You should review the lawyer’s success record, not just for slip-and-fall cases but also for other personal injury cases.
- Legal fees: You want a lawyer who provides you with a detailed list of their legal fees and any other expenses you could incur during your case, such as having to call expert witnesses. They should also work on a contingency basis.
- How comfortable you feel: You need to feel comfortable and confident in the lawyer you hire. The attorney-client relationship is vital to successful outcomes.
What Is the Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Negotiating With Insurance Companies?
The role of a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater, FL, is to represent your interests and deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf. Since they are familiar with the law, insurance companies are less likely to make unreasonable settlement offers.
Instead, they are more open to reasonable offers and usually work to resolve the matter without going to trial. Additionally, insurance companies have their own lawyers, so having a slip-and-fall injury lawyer represent your interests evens the playing field.
Get Help for Your Slip-and-Fall Injuries from Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, Today
Our Clearwater slip-and-fall law firm understands how your injuries can impact your life. Our slip-and-fall attorneys in Clearwater, FL, also understand the challenges you can face in obtaining the compensation you deserve. Let Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, help you receive a fair settlement and represent your interests while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Contact our slip-and-fall lawyers now for a free consultation.
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Sources:
Dangerous Property Conditions Leading to Premises Liability Lawsuits. (2023).
FLA. STAT. § 95.11(4). (2023).
Slip and Fall Accident Law. (2023).
Tampa Car Accident + Personal Injury Lawyers
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.
Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
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