Experienced Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
At some point in our lives, everyone could end up on the ground or the floor after a slip and fall. What can make this situation even worse is when someone else caused your accident. In this situation, partner with a Fort Myers slip and fall accident lawyer who helps injury victims request fair compensation from at-fault parties.
Viles & Beckman is a personal injury law firm with more than 40 years of combined legal experience on staff. Let our experienced slip and fall accident lawyers help you with your injury case. Contact us today to discuss your case with our Fort Myers personal injury lawyer.
Compensation That Accident Victims Can Seek for Their Accident Injuries
Your injuries impact your enjoyment of life. Because you played no part in causing your slip and fall, you should bear no responsibility for the bills associated with your recovery. After a fall that results in injuries, you can request economic and non-economic damages for many reasons, including:
Medical Costs
Even minor injuries can lead to high medical bills. For example, injured victims may require extensive physical therapy to return to normal functionality. They are entitled to claim compensation to cover their medical bills in their slip and fall claims.
Lost Income
Injuries can prevent individuals from returning to work, which will result in lost wages on top of medical bills and other expenses. A Fort Myers slip and fall accident attorney can calculate the lost wages from your accident. These may include wages lost immediately after the accident and future lost wages.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering losses extend beyond physical harm. Your lawyer will consider your pain and suffering carefully. If you can’t participate in activities that you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.
Loss of Companionship
Following your accident, your spouse may no longer feel the connection they once had. Or, your injury could put a strain on your relationships with family members. In these situations and others, your attorney can help you request compensation on the grounds of loss of companionship.
In addition to these things, a family member can die in a slip and fall accident. In this situation, partner with a wrongful death lawyer in Fort Myers. Your attorney can determine if you are eligible to file a wrongful claim.
Steps to Take After a Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident
Immediately following a slip and fall, several steps should be taken. These will help you avoid further harm and ensure that you are compensated financially. Here are the steps to take in the moments after your accident.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t feel pain, get a medical professional to evaluate you. In addition to getting medical attention, this will create documentation about your accident and the injuries that you suffered. This will come in handy for your claim.
Take Pictures and Videos
If you’re able, capture pictures and videos of your injuries and the area where you fell. Pay close attention to any slippery, wet, or uneven areas. When in doubt, take as many photos and videos as you can, as this will give you a wealth of visual proof you can use to support your claim.
Get a Police Report
A police report will help document the accident scene and what happened. The police will also interview anyone who saw you slip and fall. Your police report will help your slip and fall lawyer in Fort Myers fight to protect your rights.
Tell the Property Owner
Notify the property owner about your accident. Do not provide them with a lengthy and detailed description or account of what happened. Also, do not take responsibility for your slip and fall since this could hurt your chances of getting maximum compensation in your injury case.
Don’t Speak to the Insurance Company
An at-fault party’s insurance company is looking out for their client’s best interests — not yours. This company will want to take your recorded statement and use it to get you to settle for less than your claim is worth. Rather than put your case in danger, work with a slip and fall attorney in Fort Myers who can speak to an insurer on your behalf.
Document Everything
In the weeks after your accident, document your medical care and other information relating to your case. Organize records about your medical treatments and the costs associated with them, and keep a journal of your pain and discomfort. Your documents can help you secure compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
You can hire a premises liability lawyer in Fort Myers to represent you in your slip and fall case against a negligent property owner. Since 1995, Viles & Beckman has provided legal services and support to Floridians who have been injured in slip and fall accidents. Reach out to us for help with your premises liability claim.
How Much Is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth?
It all depends on the circumstances of your accident. But rest assured, insurance companies won’t want to settle for the full value of your claim. They may get away with it if you decide to work with an inexperienced personal injury attorney.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money. If they pay out your claim, that hurts their bottom line. Their insurance adjusters are trained to pay out as little as possible for every claim that comes across their desk.
Having an attorney at your side who has a wealth of relevant legal experience makes a world of difference. For example, you suffer an injury to your spinal cord in a slip and fall accident. You can hire a spinal cord injury lawyer in Fort Myers who will evaluate your quantifiable and subjective losses and request maximum damages.
When to File a Claim
Per Chapter 95 Section 11 of the 2024 Florida Statutes, the statute of limitations for filing an injury claim is two years. If you get hurt in a slip and fall accident, you have up to two years to pursue damages from a liable party. After this window closes, you could be solely responsible for your accident-related losses.
Your lawyer considers your quality of life and how your accident will affect you now and in the future. They will encourage you not to wait to file a claim against a negligent business owner or anyone else liable for your injury. Your attorney can submit your request for damages and gather proof to help you show you are in no way at fault.
The facts surrounding your accident will impact how your lawyer will argue your case. For instance, if inadequate lighting contributed to your accident, your attorney may use surveillance footage to highlight this hazard. If your attorney succeeds, a judge or jury will award you 100% of the damages that you are requesting.
Why It Is Not Always in Your Best Interests to Accept a Settlement
A liable party’s insurance company will likely contact you with a settlement offer. Do not accept this proposal until you review it with a personal injury lawyer. Otherwise, you risk accepting a lowball settlement, which could force you to pay some or most of your injury-related losses out of your pocket.
In all likelihood, an initial settlement proposal won’t cover all of your medical costs. Also, you may have to waive your right to bring a future claim against the insurance company. Instead of accepting less than what it costs to treat your severe injuries and cover your other losses, work with an attorney who will seek fair compensation on your behalf.
Your lawyer represents your best interests. If you receive a settlement proposal, your attorney will tell you about it, and you can discuss the offer with them. Your lawyer can advise you on what to do with an offer, and you have the final say on whether to accept or decline it.
Why Should You Contact a Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident Attorney?
Many people try to convince themselves that they do not need to hire an attorney after a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, failing to hire an attorney can leave you struggling to pay your medical bills and other accident-related costs. An experienced lawyer offers assistance in many areas, including:
Evidence Collection
Store security footage, witness statements, and photos of the accident scene can all help determine which parties and factors contributed to your accident. Your attorney can gather and review evidence with you. They can help you put together a body of proof to show that an at-fault party was negligent.
Damages Analysis
Often, an insurance company that covers the liable party in an accident will focus on minimizing its financial liability. Your lawyer accurately estimates the compensation you should expect to receive. They will calculate the true value of your claim, helping you determine if a settlement is sufficient.
Settlement Negotiations
You may feel overwhelmed as you deal with a neck injury or other accident-related injuries. Thankfully, your lawyer can handle your settlement negotiations so that you can prioritize your recovery. Your attorney keeps you updated throughout these negotiations, letting you know about settlement offers and answering your questions about them.
Time is limited to submit a slip and fall accident claim. If you work with Fort Myers slip and fall attorneys, you can file your claim promptly. From here, your attorney will commit the time and resources required to help you achieve your desired case result.
Get Help From Our Fort Myers Slip and Fall Attorneys
When you’re injured in a slip and fall accident, the last thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to pay your bills. You may have the option to accept a settlement that gives you a fraction of the compensation you need to cover the costs of treating your medical conditions. Alternatively, you can hire a lawyer who will fight for you.
For those coping with traumatic brain injuries and other injuries from slip and fall accidents, meet with the attorneys at Viles & Beckman. We can help you pursue damages to cover your medical expenses and other accident-related losses. Request a consultation with our legal team.
Advocating for Those Injured in Slip and Fall Accidents Since 1995
- 100% No Obligation.
- Free Honest Case Review.
- No Fee Until We Win.
The firm’s continued dedication in advocating for their clients has led to the recovery of millions of dollars from negotiated settlements and court-awarded damages. It’s impossible to guarantee results because each case has distinctive characteristics, but our team will advocate for you, and do our best to build a strong case against liable parties to obtain the best outcome for your individual situation.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Elderly individuals or those who have underlying health conditions may have a higher likelihood of suffering serious implications from a fall. However, healthy individuals can also suffer severe consequences after experiencing a fall, especially if they fall down stairs or off of a higher platform.
Common Injuries Include:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Frequently, victims endure some impact to their head during a slip and fall accidents. Victims who hit their heads, especially if they experience loss of consciousness, may suffer a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can have physical, mental, and emotional impacts on injured victims, preventing them from participating in daily activities—including returning to work. Victims of traumatic brain injury may struggle with:
- • Chronic ringing in the ears, tunnel vision, or blurred vision. Traumatic brain injuries can permanently alter a victim’s ability to process sensory input, making it difficult to process the world around them.
- • Memory difficulties. After experiencing a traumatic brain injury, many people assume victims will have difficulty recalling and recreating gaps in their memory. Equally problematic, however, is the loss of short-term memory, which can make it difficult for victims to complete everyday tasks or participate in normal activities.
- • Struggle with focus and concentration. Individuals with traumatic brain injury often struggle to maintain their focus and attention on the task at hand. Distractions may prevent victims from completing tasks efficiently or prioritizing their schedules. The inability to focus can make it extremely difficult to complete more complex work tasks. Many individuals with traumatic brain injuries may never return to work in the same capacity as before their accident for an extensive period of time. In cases involving severe traumatic brain injuries, victims may never return to work in the same capacity as before the injury.
- • Sleep disturbances. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can cause difficulties in normal functioning. Lack of sleep can also exacerbate other symptoms of traumatic brain injury. Many victims of traumatic brain injury may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep at night, while others may sleep too often as the brain tries to heal itself.
- • Mood changes or mood swings. Some victims of traumatic brain injury struggle with regulating their emotions. Irregularity in emotional responses may cause victims to wildly swing between emotions from one moment and the next. In addition, victims may struggle to appropriately regulate their emotional responses to external stimuli.
- • Personality changes. Some victims with traumatic brain injury suffer from extreme changes in their personalities. In some cases, friends and family members may no longer recognize individuals because their normal behaviors and characteristics have changed.
Broken Bones
Many slip and fall accidents result in broken or fractured bones. Victims oftentimes attempt to break the impact of a fall and may experience broken fingers, hands, or arms. Elderly individuals often break hip bones in a slip and fall accident, which can result in a long and difficult recovery. In some cases, elderly individuals who experience a broken hip may suffer from permanent loss of mobility, and consequently, independence. Broken bones can cause complications for fall victims, making it difficult to return to their everyday lives and activities.
- • Loss of mobility. Victims who suffer bone breaks of their lower extremities may require medical equipment to enable and aid mobility while they recover. Depending on the age of the victim and the severity of the injury, crutches, a scooter, or even a wheelchair may be necessary. Even after a bone fracture heals, some victims may experience ongoing stiffness or overall loss of mobility as a result of their injuries.
- • Ongoing pain. Some victims suffer pain in broken limbs even after the fracture heals. Others may notice that pain occasionally flares up after specific types of activities or changes in the weather.
- • Inability to perform work tasks. Depending on the type of work tasks that an individual is required to complete, broken bones can significantly impact their ability to return to work. For example, broken bones in the hands may make it difficult to type or complete other tasks at a desk. On the other hand, broken bones in the leg may make it difficult for victims to complete manual labor tasks.
Lacerations
Some victims suffer secondary injuries in the event of a slip and fall accident. If the victim falls on a pointed object or connects with a sharp corner, they may experience severe lacerations. Lacerations often lead to significant immediate blood loss, especially in the case of deep or extensive cuts. Laceration wounds may also result in scarring that can permanently change an individual’s appearance. Some scars from lacerations may also limit mobility, particular scars located on or around an individual’s joints.
Chronic Back Pain
After a fall, many victims report back pain. For some victims, back pain can become chronic. Across the United States, as many as 8 percent of adults suffer from chronic back pain. Ongoing back pain can:
- • Limit activities. Many victims who suffer from chronic back pain report that they cannot enjoy many of their favorite leisure activities. Victims may deliberately avoid those activities to avoid further pain.
- • Prevent the victim from working. Many people report difficulties in completing basic job duties while suffering from ongoing back pain. Simply sitting at a desk or in the driver’s seat of a vehicle for an extended period of time can increase back pain. In the United States, individuals experiencing chronic back pain lose as many as 83 million workdays per year.
- • Bruises
- • Swollen joints
- • Spinal cord injuries
- • Paralysis
- • Death
How were you injured?
We understand the frustration of dealing with an injury and the financial fallout that comes with expensive medical bills. Losing your ability to work after an injury and being pressured or ignored by the insurance company is something no one should go through. No matter how you were injured, a Florida personal injury lawyer from Viles & Beckman may be able to help you recover your losses.
Injury Types
Steps to Take After a Slip and Fall
You should also give notice to the property owner. You do not, however, need to provide them with a lengthy and detailed description or account of what happened. Under no circumstances should you mention the fall was in any way your fault. Fault is determined by an investigation by your lawyer and the insurance company. Saying the slip and fall was even partially your fault may seriously harm your ability to recover the compensation that you need to make a full and complete recovery.
There are several steps you need to take immediately following a slip and fall. These steps are important to not only ensure your safety but also ensure that you are financially compensated.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you don't feel pain, get a medical professional to evaluate you. In addition to getting medical attention, this will create documentation about your accident and the injuries that you suffered. This will come in handy for your claim.
Get a Police Report
This may sound like an extreme step, but getting a police report will help document the accident scene and what happened. Besides that, the police will interview any witnesses to your slip and fall. While the police may not cite anyone at fault, this information will help your slip and fall lawyer fight to protect your rights.
Take Pictures of the Area
If you’re able, take pictures of your injuries and the area where you fell. Pay close attention to any slippery, wet, or uneven areas, and get detailed pictures.
Don’t Speak to the Insurance Company
The insurance company is not looking out for your best interest. The insurance company will want to speak with you as soon as possible, take your recorded statement, and then use that statement to get you to settle for less than your claim is worth. Speaking with a skilled personal injury lawyer first can help you avoid costly mistakes when you do speak with the insurance company.
Call Viles & Beckman
Since 1995, we have been helping Floridians just like you who have been injured in slip and fall accidents. Our job is to make your recovery as smooth as possible while ensuring that the negligent party pays your bills.
Continue to Document Everything
Even after your accident, document everything. Keep your medical bills. Keep copies of your medical records. Keep a journal of your pain and discomfort. No bruise or pain is too small or insignificant to ignore. These documents can help your case.
The skilled Fort Myers slip and fall lawyers at Viles & Beckman have experience dealing with insurance companies, investigating accidents, and helping clients recover damages for their injuries. Let a qualified attorney handle the details of your case.
Fort Myers Slip and Fall FAQ
If we were to ask you what the leading causes of ER visits in the United States is, what would you say? Chances are you’d come up with things like car accidents, heart attacks, or accidental poisonings. But what about falls? Approximately 8 million people visit the ER because of a fall every single year. Of these, a large percentage of the patients are elderly.
According to the CDC, one in four adults 65 and older will suffer a fall this year. Those who fall are at risk of fractures, brain injuries, and even death. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies have a harder time responding to injury. Consequently, older adults may never fully recover from a serious fall. While a large number of falls happen at home, far too many happen in public places, such as grocery stores, restaurants, or parking lots. If you or a loved one has suffered a fall due to someone’s negligence, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys for more information about your legal rights.
They say accidents have a way of taking you by surprise. This couldn’t be more true when it comes to falls. One minute you’re on your feet, the next minute you’re not. As such, the reflexive reaction is to stand up and brush it off and pretend nobody saw you.
But falls can be serious. And most of the time “brushing it off” can make matters worse. Take action to protect yourself and get the care you deserve by calling us today.
Slip and fall accidents are exactly as they sound. They happen when a person slips on a wet or slippery surface and falls to the ground. When we use the term “slip and fall,” we also include trip and fall accidents. While slip and fall accidents usually happen on a flat, wet surface, trip and fall accidents happen as the result of an uneven surface. Common causes of trip and fall accidents include uneven walkways, raised or poorly positioned rugs, uncovered extension cords, or unmarked steps.
While a slip and fall accident may seem like a minor incident, these accidents can lead to very serious injuries, especially in older adults. Common injuries after a slip and fall accident include:
- Fractures: As we age, our bones lose density and break more easily. According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls are responsible for 87 percent of fractures in older adults.
- Traumatic brain injuries: When a person hits their head on a hard object, they are at very high risk for a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The CDC reports falls as the leading cause of TBIs, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all TBI-related emergency department visits in 2014 (the year for which the most recent data is available). Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of suffering a TBI after a fall. In 2014, 49 percent of all TBI-related ER visits for children 0-17 were the result of a fall. For adults 65 and older, 81 percent of visits to the emergency room to treat a TBI were the result of a fall.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is more delicate than you would think. A hard fall can cause serious damage and prompt the tissue around the cord to swell. When this happens, you may be at risk of permanent paralysis. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 31 percent of spinal cord injuries are the result of a fall. If you experience any symptoms of a spinal cord injury, such as extreme pain, numbness, tingling, or difficulty walking, contact a doctor right away. Prompt treatment could prevent permanent damage.
- Soft tissue injuries: When we try to catch ourselves during a fall, the body can twist and contort into unnatural positions. This can cause muscle strains, torn tendons, or ligament damage. While these injuries often heal on their own, in some cases they may require additional treatment or surgery.
- Bruises or lacerations: Bruises are one of the most common injuries after a fall. A bruise is the body’s response to a traumatic blow to the body. Lacerations can occur if the fall was on a rough surface or there was glass in the area. Although these injuries may seem minor in the grand scheme of things, you should always have them checked out by a doctor.
“The store’s insurance company already offered me a settlement.”
“I can handle this on my own.”
“Lawyers are so expensive!”
Many people try to convince themselves that they do not need an attorney after a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, failing to hire an attorney can result in less compensation for their injuries, which can leave them struggling to pay their medical bills.
An experienced Fort Myers slip and fall lawyer may assist by:
- Collecting evidence about the accident. Store security footage, witness statements, and photos of the accident scene can all help determine which parties and factors contributed to the accident. An experienced Fort Myers slip and fall attorney may assist victims by reviewing the evidentiary details, including consulting with expert witnesses, to help strengthen a victim’s claim.
- Providing an accurate estimate of the amount of compensation victims should expect to receive. Often, the insurance company that covers the liable party in an accident will focus on minimizing its financial liability. Insurance companies do not prioritize compensating the full value of injured victims’ claims. An experienced Fort Myers slip and fall attorney can help injured victims calculate the true value of their claim, ensuring they can evaluate whether a settlement is sufficient.
- Negotiating on their client’s behalf. Injured victims are often overwhelmed with their physical recovery following an accident. An attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on behalf of their clients so that clients can focus on recovering. Hiring a lawyer provides injured victims with an advocate on their side, who is focused on their best interests. Knowledge of the law enables attorneys to give injured victims the best chances of protecting their rights and maximizing their recovery.
Many accident victims, including slip and fall victims, discover that having an attorney on their side significantly increases the compensation they receive, even after paying the attorney’s fees.
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere. But there are a few common hotspots that see more accidents than others. As such, owners of these places have a heightened responsibility to make sure their property is safe and free of hazards.
Some of the most common locations for slip and fall accidents include:
- Restaurants;
- Retail stores, including grocery stores;
- Parking lots;
- Boats;
- Stairways
- Docks;
- Swimming pool decks; and
- Sidewalks.
After an accident, you are your best advocate. While fault may seem obvious, most property owners will be hesitant to admit negligence. For larger companies, a serious accident doesn’t just cost money, it could also damage the company’s reputation. As such, it is very common for businesses and insurance companies to employ aggressive legal teams to protect their interests. This is why your actions following the accident are extremely important.
The steps you need to take after a slip and fall accident include:
- Check for injuries: Falls can cause traumatic injuries. If you think you have a broken bone, brain injury, or spinal cord injury, do not move. Instead, ask someone else for help.
- Report the incident: If you are in a place of business, report the accident to the manager on duty. If you are at a private residence, tell the homeowner. Not only will this help you establish a record of what happened, but it may also prevent others from being injured.
- Document evidence: Evidence prevents your case from becoming a he said/she said argument. The more you can back up your side of the story with facts, the stronger your case will be. There are two things you will want to focus on after an accident: photos and witnesses. First, take pictures of what caused the fall. Was there a wet spot? Was the carpet loose? Then, talk to any witnesses. Ask for their contact information so your attorney and the insurance company can talk to them at a later date.
- Go to the doctor: Falls are serious. They are one of the leading causes of fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. It’s important to take your injuries seriously. Report all injuries to your doctor, even if they seem minor. Do not embellish or downplay your injuries. Your medical record will become a part of your personal injury case.
- Contact a personal injury attorney: After an accident, the most important thing is your recovery. A personal injury attorney can take care of the logistics, paperwork, and negotiations, so all you have to do is focus on healing.
While we commonly associate slip and fall accidents with public venues, they can happen at a private residence. In this case, the property owner (or renter) will likely have financial responsibility for your injuries. In this circumstance, it’s best to talk to the homeowner and obtain their homeowner’s insurance information so you can contact the insurance company to begin a claim.
Individuals expect a certain level of care when entering the premises of a property, whether the property is public or private. Visitors to a property should assume that the property owner or manager of the property will ensure the area is reasonably safe for visitors. Unfortunately, not all property owners provide a high standard of care for their visitors. To determine who bears liability for a slip and fall, an attorney may conduct a careful investigation of the property.
Law and regulations require owners or the individuals or companies operating on the property to adhere to certain safety standards. For example, commercial properties may be required to clearly label any slippery areas, block off unsafe areas, take care of maintenance quickly, and provide adequate handrails in stairways. When properties fail to provide these safety precautions, the entities responsible for their maintenance may share in the liability for any resulting injuries.
For example, if you visit a store and slip on a wet floor with no label, the store operating on that property may bear liability for your injuries. On the other hand, if the owner of the store fails to take adequate precautions with the property itself, such as failing to conduct maintenance on the property, the property owner may be liable for resulting injuries.
In some cases, other entities might also share liability for injuries caused by a fall. If another company or entity operates on the premises and does not take adequate safety precautions, that entity may share liability for the accident. For example, a construction company may be liable if they remove the flooring, fail to adequately label the danger, and an individual becomes injured.
Consult us for a more thorough evaluation of an accident to identify all potentially liable parties.
That’s the goal. Florida’s premises liability laws and personal injury statutes allow victims to recover damages from the at-fault party after an accident. To do this, you must prove liability, negligence, and actual damages. In other words, you must show:
- The defendant had a duty to keep their property safe.
- The defendant failed to ensure safe conditions for all visitors, due to their negligence or deliberate actions.
- The defendant’s negligence was the direct cause of your injuries.
These three conditions are fairly straightforward and easy to demonstrate in most cases. Under Florida premises liability laws, all property owners have a responsibility to ensure the safety of guests, lessees, and in some cases, even trespassers. Once you and your attorney establish fault, you will need to request damages.
While each case is different, common damages in a slip and fall injury case include:
- Medical costs: Medical bills can be expensive. You may, however, recover the cost of your medical bills after an accident.
- Lost wages: Slip and fall accidents can lead to lost time at work. In fact, according to the NFSI, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of lost days at work. In most cases, lost wages begin on the first missed day at work and end when you return to work. If your injuries are serious, you may be eligible for future lost wages.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering covers actual physical and emotional distress after an accident. This may include depression, anxiety, chronic pain, loss of enjoyment, or loss of companionship.
- Wrongful death: According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the leading cause of fatal injury for older adults. A wrongful death claim may help cover the cost of medical bills, lost wages, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering.
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations outlines how long a plaintiff has to request damages after a slip and fall accident. In most cases, victims have four years to file a personal injury suit. After this time, the court has the right to deny your claim. There are limited circumstances in which the court may allow you more time.
These might include:
- Fraud: The other party hid details relevant to the case that you discovered after the statute of limitations had run out.
- Age: If the victim is a minor, the state will typically pause the statute of limitations until they turn 18.
- Mental disability: The court may pause the statute of limitations if the victim did not have the mental capacity to take legal action at the time of the accident.
Your initial consultation with a personal injury attorney is your opportunity to meet your potential attorney and for the attorney to get a better understanding of your case. You should bring any evidence you have gathered with you, which will allow the attorney to let you know what they think about the likelihood of success and potential value of your case. This will allow you to make the best decision moving forward.
While individual attorneys may give you a list of items they want you to bring, there are a few things you should definitely gather before you head to your appointment.
These include:
- The name of the at-fault party and the name of the person you spoke to.
- The other party’s insurance information.
- Your health insurance information.
- Any photographs from the incident and/or witness information.
- Relevant medical records, diagnoses, and names of any medication you were prescribed as a result of the accident.
- Any letters or correspondences from the at-fault party or their insurance adjuster.
Holding the Negligent Party Liable
Slip and fall cases may seem simple. In reality, they are complex personal injury cases that require the keen eye of an experienced and skilled personal injury lawyer. Under Florida law, property owners must keep their property reasonably safe for all who enter.
To hold property owners liable for your injuries, they must not have acted as a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would have acted. This is why you see wet floor signs as you enter a store or mall during the rainy season. The owner of the property must take steps to dry the floor as people enter and provide a warning that the floor is wet.
Other examples include:
- A restaurant employee failing to clean up a spilled drink in a reasonable amount of time
- A mall owner failing to repair parking lot potholes
- A city failing to repair uneven sidewalk pavement
Your claim will be against the property owner on whose property you were injured. Most likely, this will involve their insurance company. Have a trusted personal injury attorney by your side to help you navigate the complexities of your personal injury claim and to help deal with the insurance company.
You Shouldn’t Have to Answer These Questions Alone
Accidents are upsetting. And if you have never filed a personal injury lawsuit, the whole process can be confusing and overwhelming. A personal injury attorney can help. During the process, you may have a lot of questions. Don’t waste time and energy trying to hunt down the answers on your own. If you have questions about a recent slip and fall accident or need help with an open claim, contact our experienced Fort Myers slip and fall injury attorneys for more information about your legal rights.
Do Not Wait to Contact Our Fort Myers Slip and Fall Attorneys
When you’re injured in a slip and fall accident, the last thing you need to worry about is your legal claim and how you’re going to pay your bills. That’s where we come in. Since 1995, we’ve been helping clients just like you handle their slip and fall claims so that they can focus on what matters most: getting better. That’s all injured individuals should worry about.
When you meet with us, we’ll evaluate your claim, conduct an investigation, speak with witnesses, deal with the insurance company, and fight for your rights in court. We do all of this at no cost to you. At Viles & Beckman, we offer free consultations for accident victims. We only get paid if you win, and we only take cases we feel we can win.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring our clients maintain realistic expectations as they proceed through the personal injury claims process. In evaluating the specific circumstances leading to the accident and the severity of the injuries, we seek to help potential clients determine whether retaining an attorney is in their best interests.
If you suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, do not hesitate to contact Viles and Beckman, LLC. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our Fort Myers slip and fall lawyers can start working to strengthen your claim. When appropriate, we may gather evidence or consult expert witnesses to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Get started right now with a free consultation. You can reach us at (239) 208-5223 or our online contact page. We’re ready to help you.