Most of us tend to think of slips and falls as very minor incidents. We might experience nothing more painful than a bruise and some embarrassment. However, many people suffer significant injuries in simple slips and falls.
If you sustained a substantial injury in a slip and fall accident in a public place, contact a Kissimmee slip and fall lawyer at Colling Gilbert Wright. Our skilled personal injury attorneys have years of experience representing injured people like you in accident cases and achieving excellent outcomes. We will keep you informed every step of the way as we work to ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries.
What Is the Role of Negligence in Slips and Falls?
Property owners and business operators must keep their premises reasonably safe to prevent injuries to visitors. People operating businesses that welcome the public have a legal obligation to regularly inspect the premises for hazards and correct any dangerous conditions as quickly as practicable. When immediate repair is not possible, they must warn visitors of the hazard.
Failing to take these steps is negligent and triggers the obligation to compensate you for your injuries. If you fall and get hurt in a restaurant, hotel, tourist attraction, or any retail establishment, contact a Kissimmee slip and fall attorney. Our legal professionals can collect evidence demonstrating that the owner or operator violated its duty to keep its premises reasonably safe, proving negligence.
Your actions immediately after the injury are critical. Even if you do not believe you were seriously injured, get a medical evaluation as quickly as possible. A doctor can screen for injuries that might not produce symptoms immediately, and the medical record they generate will be essential evidence supporting your case.
Slips Can Lead to Severe Injuries
Slips and falls can cause severe injuries. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injury, but anyone can be badly hurt in a fall.
If your slip and fall required medical treatment beyond first aid, caused you to miss work or school, or significantly interfered with your day-to-day activities for more than a few days, speak with one of our seasoned lawyers in Kissimmee. We represent people who suffer serious injuries such as:
- Disfiguring cuts or abrasions that cause scarring
- Loss of teeth
- Debilitating soft tissue injuries
- Fractured bones
- Concussion
- Back injuries
- Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
Depending on where you were when the fall happened, it might also have resulted in serious burns, near-drowning, or other injuries.
When the property owner’s negligence led to the condition that caused you to slip and fall, the property owner is liable for your injuries. You can seek reimbursement of your past and future injury-related expenses and losses, and claim compensation for your physical pain, mental suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Your Conduct Impacts Damages
When you file a slip and fall claim, the insurance company for the property owner will scrutinize your behavior leading up to the incident. They can limit their liability by shifting some of the blame for the accident onto you.
Florida Statutes § 768.81 requires a judge or jury to allocate fault between the parties on a percentage basis when awarding compensation or damages. If you are found partially responsible for the incident or if you did not seek medical treatment promptly or failed to comply with medical advice, the court will reduce your damages by an amount proportional to your degree of fault.
It is especially important to work with an experienced Kissimmee attorney when you may have some responsibility for a slip and fall. The team at Colling Gilbert Wright could compile and present evidence showing that your responsibility, if any, was minor compared with the property owner’s breach of duty.
Contact Our Kissimmee Attorneys If You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall
When a property owner fails in its duty to keep its premises safe and you suffer an injury, you deserve compensation. Work with an attorney at the firm that other legal professionals use when they need representation in a personal injury case. We take pride in being exceptionally responsive and treating every client as an individual. Consultations are free, and we never take money from you unless we win your case. Schedule an appointment with a Kissimmee slip and fall lawyer at our firm today to get started.