Slip and Fall Accidents

Premises liability claims involve accidents and injuries occurring on another person’s property. One of the most common types of premises liability matters involves slip and fall accidents. When we think of the term slip and fall, many associate this type of incident with a fall occurring at a store or other place of business. However, slip, trip, or fall accidents can occur on various public and private premises. Alba & Straile PLLC are dedicated to providing superior, effective legal representation to those who have sustained an injury because of another’s negligence. In general, persons enter a business establishment, either as an invitee or because it is open to the general public. They are entitled to the reasonable expectation that they will not be injured while on such property. The owner of a business establishment has a duty to maintain their premises to be free from unsafe or dangerous conditions. Failure to properly maintain premises, or warn patrons of known dangers, can result in the business owner being held liable for injuries due to their negligence or inaction. Just a few of the types of Slip and Fall cases are:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Trip and fall accidents
• Step and fall accidents
• Failure to supervise
• Failure to secure property
• Failure to notify of a dangerous condition

According to the National Safety Council, falls are among the leading causes of unintentional accidents, accounting for nearly 9 million visits to the emergency room each year. Many of these accidental falls are caused by a person slipping on a liquid or other transitory foreign substance. Slip and fall accidents can cause severe and debilitating injuries, including wrongful death. Most unfortunate is that the business or property owners can prevent the vast majority of these accidents by exercising ordinary and reasonable care.

Common Hazards that cause Accidents

In some cases, a liquid may have been present on the floor for an extended time before an accident occurred. In other cases, the owner may already be aware of an ongoing condition or problem but failed to remedy the problem, despite having the knowledge and opportunity to do so. In both of the examples provided, the business owner may be held liable because they had constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and should have taken action to remedy it. Slip & Fall accidents can also occur for reasons other than the presence of a liquid or substance on the ground. For example, torn, disheveled, or misplaced carpeting can cause a person to trip and fall. To prevent slip & falls, many business owners often use large pieces of carpeting. However, the business owner must ensure the carpeting is securely fastened and provide proper maintenance. Other types of unsafe floor or ground conditions can result in an accident involving a slip, trip, or fall. For example, improper maintenance of materials used to construct a deck, sidewalk, or other walkways can cause an accident or injury. Also, failure to provide warning of changes to the surface of a walkway may result in a property owner being held liable. Changes to a surface can involve substantial variations of flooring material and variances in walkway elevation, such as an incline or decline. In general, the owner, or person otherwise in control of the premises, has a duty to remedy, and where a remedy is not possible, provide warning of unsafe conditions which an invitee may not discover despite the exercise of reasonable care.

Compensation for Premises Liability Cases

The location of the accident will typically determine the source of compensation for your injuries. Most businesses in Florida have liability insurance coverage to provide injury compensation. Likewise, residential property accidents typically involve coverage available under a homeowner’s insurance policy. When the negligent party is not insured at the time of an accident or where coverage has been denied, the injured party can seek damages directly from the business, home, or property owner.

Alba & Straile PLLC has Proven Success in Slip and Fall Related Claims

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you might be entitled to compensation. Our law firm is focused on client results and committed to providing our clients with compassion, attention to detail, and ease of attorney accessibility. Our Florida slip and fall attorneys can provide you with the sound legal representation necessary to effectively and efficiently address all of your slip and fall-related injuries. We represent clients throughout Florida. Contact Alba & Straile PLLC at (352) 371-9141 to schedule a consultation today.