Bradenton Slip-And-Fall Lawyer

According to state data, falls remain one of the leading causes of injury related deaths among adults 65 years of age and older. Across Florida, fatalities related to fall injuries are on the rise. In 2023, the rate of unintentional deaths from falls in Manatee County was 85 per 100,000 people, a rate of 9.1%, slightly lower than the state average.

Victims like you may be eligible for compensation that can help cover the cost of your medical bills and other expenses brought on by your fall. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, you can speak with a slip-and-fall attorney in Bradenton, FL, who will help you understand your legal rights and options.

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Common Causes of Slip-And-Fall Accidents in Bradenton, FL

Slip-and-fall accidents can happen anywhere, including at business spaces, shopping centers, and at home. Some of the more common causes for slip-and-fall accidents are the following:

• Wet or slippery surfaces due to spills or weather conditions: Wet and slippery floors can result from spills, or by bad weather like snowstorms or rainstorms that create unsafe walking conditions. It’s the responsibility of a property owner to make sure the flooring is dry and safe for patrons and employees. 
• Uneven or damaged flooring and pavements: Broken tiles, uneven floorboards, and damaged flooring are other common reasons for slip-and-fall accidents. Businesses, residences, schools, and other public establishments have a duty to ensure their flooring and pavement do not pose a risk of injury.
• Poor lighting in public areas: Having hallways and walking spaces that are properly lit is essential in ensuring people can walk through a space safely.
• Obstacles or debris in walkways: Boxes, trash, products, debris, and other obstacles on a walkway can cause a slip-and-fall accident. Businesses and property owners that don’t keep walkways clear can be held responsible if an accident happens because of this.
• Faulty or missing handrails on stairs: Property and business owners should also ensure there are proper handrails in place, and that they are secured safely so patrons can use them. This is especially important for older individuals and those with balance issues, as not having something to hold onto while walking up and down the stairs or through walkways can result in injury.

Injuries Resulting From Slip-And-Fall Incidents

Just as there are many ways for a slip-and-fall accident to occur, there are many different injuries that can result from one. The type of injury largely depends on how the fall happens. Because of this, some slips and falls will result in more severe injuries than others. 

Here are some common types of injuries that result from a slip and fall: 

• Fractures and broken bones: This is one of the most common types of injuries from a slip and fall. Fractured bones generally fall on the mild to moderate part of the injury spectrum. However, the older you are, the more severe this type of injury can be.
• Cuts, bruises, and lacerations: These are another common injury that may result in a slip-and-fall accident. These injuries are usually readily visible, yet superficial. 
• Sprains, strains, and soft tissue injuries: These are some of the more common injuries that occur after a slip and fall, and usually consist of superficial injuries that will heal over time. 
• Head and traumatic brain injuries: Any slip-and-fall accident that results in a blow to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. Head injuries can range from mild to severe, and include symptoms such as cognitive impairment, headaches, dizziness, pain, and other issues. If you have hit your head, it is important to seek out medical care, even if you don’t have any visible injuries or symptoms. 

Spinal cord injuries: Recognized as one of the more severe types of slip-and-fall injuries, spinal cord injuries can have a devastating impact on an individual’s life. These injuries occur when there is damage to the bundle of nerves that runs through your spinal column. This often happens after a blow to your spinal column. Spinal cord injuries can result in degrees of paralysis, loss of enjoyment of life, and other symptoms that can impact your overall quality of life.

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Who Is Liable for Slip-And-Fall Accidents in Bradenton?

Liability for slip and falls lies with the individual or entity that played a part, either intentionally or unintentionally, in creating the circumstances that would result in a slip-and-fall accident.

The intent of an individual or entity does not necessarily matter in order to prove your slip-and-fall injury case. Instead, you must be able to prove that a defendant had a duty to your safety, violated that duty, that their actions (or lack thereof) were what caused your accident, and as a result, you suffered damages. Being able to prove these four elements is how you prove that negligence has taken place. 

Often, there may be more than just one party that may be negligent. Let’s take a closer look at some common parties that can be held liable for a slip-and-fall accident.

Property Owners (Residential or Commercial)

Property owners (both residential and commercial) have a duty to ensure their premises are safe. This includes addressing hazards like spills, uneven surfaces, or poor lighting that can result in a slip-and-fall accident.

Business Operators

Business owners have a duty of care to the patrons, vendors, and employees that enter their establishment. This includes cleaning up spills or warning customers of potential slip-and-fall hazards. 

Management Companies

Businesses and other companies are often operated or owned by much larger parent companies. In many cases, these parent companies can also be held liable for a slip-and-fall accident that occurred on one of their properties. 

Liability can extend to facilities like apartment complexes, hospitals, and other spaces managed by another entity.

Government Entities

In public spaces, including but not limited to sidewalks, parks, and other government-owned properties, government entities and agencies can be held liable if a slip-and-fall accident occurs. Liability can extend to a township, state, or even the federal government. 

Third-Party Contractors

Businesses often partner with third-party contractors for different work related duties, such as cleaning, maintenance, and other services. If a slip-and-fall accident happens, third-party contractors can also be held liable if their negligence played a part in your injury.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Property Owners in Florida 

Property owners have legal rights and responsibilities that they must uphold to ensure the safety of patrons and the public in general under premises liability law. Below are some common rights and responsibilities that property owners in Florida must adhere to. 

Duty of Care Owed to Visitors

Property owners and business owners have a duty of care to the visitors that frequent their establishments. This means they must provide a safe environment for everyone on their property. This extends to business owners, landlords, and other property owners and operators.

Obligations To Maintain Safe Premises

Maintaining safe premises means a property owner must ensure there are no hazards that a customer may encounter that could cause a slip-and-fall accident. This includes having proper safety procedures in place, maintaining documentation, and addressing safety issues promptly.

Liability for Known Hazards and the Concept of Constructive Knowledge

Property owners must address hazardous issues when they arise, whether by fixing them, blocking them off, or providing clear signage for patrons.

Differences in Duty Owed to Invitees, Licensees, and Trespassers

Under Florida’s premises liability law, trespassers (people who should not be on a property) are only owed the duty not to be intentionally injured. Licensees (people on the property for business purposes, such as third-party contractors) are owed the same duty as trespassers, plus the duty to be warned of non-obvious dangers. Lastly, invitees (people invited onto the premises, such as customers) are owed a much broader and more comprehensive duty of care.

Steps To Take After a Slip-And-Fall Accident

If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. This helps ensure there are no underlying medical injuries or illnesses that aren’t immediately apparent. 

Seeking medical care will also help establish the extent of your injuries, so you can pursue appropriate damages if you file a claim.

You should also document the scene and gather evidence to the best of your ability. This can include taking photographs of your injuries, photos of the scene of the accident, collecting witness statements, and even seeking out surveillance footage or other video documentation of your accident.

If you haven’t already, report your accident to the property owner or manager. This helps create a paper trail of documentation. Finally, it’s important to seek out the expertise of a qualified Bradenton slip-and-fall attorney immediately. A Bradenton slip-and-fall lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Slip-And-Fall Case?

Slip-and-fall accidents are a type of personal injury for which you can pursue a civil claim. When pursuing a claim, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to calculable, tangible losses resulting from your accident. This can include medical bills, lost wages, lost personal property, and other expenses caused by the accident.

Non-economic damages generally refer to intangible losses you’ve suffered such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and other impacts.

How Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, Can Help You Prove a Slip-And-Fall Case in Bradenton, FL

At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, our dedicated team of attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and support staff will fight tirelessly to ensure you get the representation you deserve. This includes gathering pertinent evidence to demonstrate that a property owner and all other eligible parties were negligent in their actions, leading to your accident.

Our attorneys will help you build a strong case that details all four elements of a personal injury claim. This means proving that a defendant had a duty of care to your safety, breached that duty, played a role in causing the circumstances that led to your injury, and is responsible for the damages you’re seeking. Get in touch with our team when you’re ready to speak with a slip-and-fall lawyer near you.

Contact Our Experienced Slip-And-Fall Lawyer in Bradenton for a Free Consultation

Getting the legal representation you deserve starts with scheduling your free consultation with an experienced injury lawyer for slip-and-fall accidents. At Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, we bring decades of experience handling slip-and-fall cases in Bradenton and the surrounding area. Our team understands the importance of handling every case with care.

Throughout the process, our team will communicate regularly with you, keep you updated on your case’s progress, and inform you of any obstacles or issues that may arise. 

We’re proud to have a track record that speaks for itself. We’ve helped thousands of slip-and-fall victims just like you receive the compensation they deserve. It’s this commitment that makes our team the best slip-and-fall attorneys in Bradenton, FL. 

We’re committed to helping residents throughout Central and Southern Florida receive the justice they deserve. With offices in Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, you can trust our experienced slip-and-fall attorneys to help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Schedule your free case consultation today online or give us a call at (813) 333-6666.

FAQs

Sources:

Noneconomic damages.

The 2024 Florida Statutes (including 2025 Special Session C).

32 CFR § 45.9 – Calculation of damages: economic damages.