Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
Falling in public is no laughing matter. While slips and trips have turned up in short films and gag reels going back to the days of Larry, Curly, and Moe, in real life, they’re a lot more serious.
In fact, slip and fall accidents are responsible for serious injuries in Florida almost every single day. Soft tissue injury, organ damage, vision loss, broken bones, spinal injuries, brain damage, and more — these are all common costs of slipping hazards.
Most slip and fall accidents happen on commercial property or in other public spaces, though they can transpire on private property too. In either event, victims are often entitled to compensation from the parties responsible for creating the hazard (or the party that failed to correct the hazard).
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or financial loss related to a slip or trip, the talented Fort Myers slip and fall attorneys at Viles & Beckman, LLC can help.
What Is a Slip & Fall?
Slip and fall accidents are what they sound like. They happen when an unsuspecting person happens along a dangerous hazard on the ground (or floor) and falls, usually sustaining some sort of injury.
Legal liability exists when the at-fault party either created the hazard by behaving unreasonably or failed to make reasonable efforts toward removing the hazard in a timely manner.
Even if the defendant did not actually know about the hazard, the victim can still recover compensation by proving that the defendant should have known that a dangerous condition existed somewhere on his or her property. Owners generally have a legal duty to inspect their property and ensure that it is safe for others.
Property owners can also be held accountable for failing to warn visitors or the public about potential hazards.
Most slip and fall accidents are governed by Florida premises liability law, which establishes the various duties that property owners owe to those who enter their premises. Viles & Beckman, LLC is a full-service premises liability law firm, providing aggressive legal representation for slip and fall victims in Southwest Florida.
Slip & Fall vs. Trip & Fall
People often use the phrases slip and fall and trip and fall interchangeably. Others, meanwhile, make a distinction between those terms. So is there a difference?
Slip and fall accidents typically involve liquids, including:
- Water
- Cleaning solution
- Oil
- Condensation / runoff
- Leaks
- Soap suds
- Spilled products (especially in store aisles)
- Other liquids
Rainfall, melting ice, sleet, and snow are also common causes of slip and fall accidents.
Trip and fall accidents, meanwhile, involve other kinds of tripping hazards. These include:
- Cords
- Cables
- Ropes
- Wires
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Broken concrete
- Potholes
- Loose carpet
- Obstructions in store aisles
- Items left on stairways
- Debris
- Other hazards
In addition to slips and trips, falling objects also cause people to lose their balance or fall.
Common falling object hazards include:
- Broken store shelving
- Heavy products stocked on upper shelves
- Items that have been poorly balanced on shelves
- Unsecured, wobbly vending machines
- Construction debris
- Collapsing scaffolding
- Heavy machinery on upper levels
- Objects flung from elevated parking garages/roadways
- Falling branches from un-pruned trees
- Any other falling objects
If you’ve been injured in any of these accidents, you do not need to fret about the distinctions between slips, trips, and falling objects. Florida premises liability law applies in the majority of these cases and our Fort Myers slip and fall attorneys can help you claim the compensation you deserve for any kind of unfair fall.
Who Can I Sue for Slip & Fall Accidents in Florida?
While the type of property and owner involved are always worthwhile considerations, it is important to understand that most property owners have a duty to protect the safety of others.
You may have a claim for compensation against one or more of the following parties:
- Store owners
- Landlords
- Your employer
- Commercial tenants
- Construction companies
- Neighbors
- Social hosts (including private party hosts)
- City or state governments
- Property managers
- Security companies/staff
- Any other party responsible for a dangerous condition
Talk to Our Attorneys about Your Rights
If you’ve been hurt while on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries and any related damages. Our Fort Myers premises liability law firm can help.
These cases are complex. They can quickly grow medically cumbersome and may involve multiple issues of law. You need an experienced and aggressive legal team to protect you along the way.
At Viles & Beckman, LLC, we want to help you get the money you deserve. Please contact us online or dial (239) 334-3933 to schedule your free case review with our Fort Myers slip and fall attorneys right away.