Who is Liable for a Slip and Fall in Florida?

Slip and fall incidents that occur in Florida can result in severe injuries for those involved. Unfortunately, these incidents are often caused by the careless or negligent actions of property owners. There is a distinct difference between slip and fall incidents and trip and fall incidents. A trip and fall incident involves an object coming into contact with a person’s foot or lower extremity and causing them to trip over. However, a slip and fall incident involves wet or unstable surfaces that can lead to a slip incident.

Determining Liability

Determining liability in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident that causes injuries is challenging. Typically, we will want to investigate the incident and look into the actions of the property owner or their agents (employees, volunteers, etc.). If the slip and fall incident was caused by an unsafe condition, it may be possible to hold these other parties negligent for their actions. Proving negligence requires a few elements:

1. Showing that the property owner owed the insured individual a duty of care. A duty of care will typically exist if the individual has a right to be in the location at the time the incident occurred.
2. Showing that the property owner breached the duty of care that they owed the injured individual. Property owners have a duty to ensure that they regularly inspect and maintain the premises and that they remedy any known hazards as quickly as possible.
3. Establishing that the breach of duty directly led to the slip and fall accident and injuries.
4. Showing that the injured individual sustained some sort of monetary loss as a result of the slip and fall incident

Slips and Falls at a Business

Slip and fall incidents can happen anywhere. Often, they occur at grocery stores or restaurants where it is not uncommon for liquids or other substances to spill. Business owners and their employees have a duty to ensure that their premises are inspected regularly and that all hazards are fixed or removed promptly.

Slips and Falls at the Pool

Slip and fall incidents can certainly happen at pools, including public pools, pools at hotels, and pools at private residences. Private business owners, government entities, and private property owners all have a duty to ensure that the area around the pool is safe for any person who has a right to be at the pool.

Slips and Falls on the Sidewalk

Sidewalks are a leading cause of slip and fall injuries. Unfortunately, poorly maintained sidewalks can lead to significant slip and fall hazards. This can include hazards caused by the unevenness of the sidewalk, loose gravel or pavement, or broken pavement. There may be various parties who can be held liable for a sidewalk slip and fall accidents. This can include government entities, private property owners who own the sidewalk, or construction companies that may damage the sidewalk area.

Damages in a Florida Slip and Fall Case

Individuals who sustain injuries in a slip and fall accident may be able to recover various types of compensation for their losses. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coverage of all medical bills related to the slip and fall
• Lost wages if an individual cannot work while they recover
• Out-of-pocket expenses incurred due to the injury
• Property damage expenses (phones, computers, other property that may be damaged in the fall)
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of enjoyment of life damages

St. Petersburg Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a slip and fall accident caused by the actions of a property owner in St. Petersburg, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled Florida slip and fall accident lawyer can handle every aspect of these claims on your behalf. They will investigate the incident, gather all evidence needed to prove liability, and help you recover maximum compensation for your losses.