Largo Slip And Fall Injuries
Getting compensation for your Largo slip and fall injuries involves proving who was at fault and what your claim is worth, two tasks that can be deceptively simple without the assistance of a Florida personal injury lawyer.
Summary
- Broken stairs, wet floors, unstable ladders, and other hazards are common causes of Largo slip and fall injuries.
- Negligent business owners, property managers, nursing homes, and homeowners can cause Largo slip and fall accidents when they fail to maintain the premises.
- Injured Largo victims can recuperate their damages by filing slip and fall accident claims.
Slip and fall accidents can occur almost anywhere, and can be devastating. They can result in serious injury, and a lifetime of disability and rehabilitation. After your accident, you may be stressed about filing a lawsuit, talking to insurance companies, or appearing in court.
However, an experienced attorney can help make sure the process of your lawsuit is a smooth one. Our talented Largo personal injury attorneys here at Jones Law Group will take the stress off of your shoulders so you can focus on relaxing and recovering from your injuries.
You can get in touch with us by phone at (727) 571-1333 or through our website’s contact form.
Slip and Fall Statistics Serve as a Warning to Largo Residents
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for eight million emergency room visits each year. That’s 21.3% of all hospital visits, making falls the leading reason people visit the emergency room.
They also state that the chance of falling and getting seriously injured goes up with each decade of life. Therefore, elderly people are much more at risk for fatal injuries because of slip and fall accidents.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), from 2016 to 2017, fall death rates in the United States increased by 30% for older adults. In fact, 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling, usually falling sideways.
These injuries are incredibly common with elderly people and older adults. Falls are also stated to be the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), an injury that can leave someone with lasting issues.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and falls can be caused by a variety of different reasons, but the main ones include wet or uneven surfaces, improper training, nursing home neglect, parking lot hazards, ladders and stairs, environmental conditions, and dangerous occupations.
Lack of Maintenance and Repair by Largo Property Owners
Uneven surfaces can occur because of damage to the floor or floorboards, causing a tripping hazard. Wet floors may be because of a spill that hasn’t been cleaned up, or recently waxed floors. Improper training may cause slips and falls, especially in dangerous work environments where employees are required to be extremely safe.
Negligent Workplace Practices Create Slip and Fall Hazards
Workplace falls often occur because of environmental issues, like the inability to keep a space clean. This could include a messy floor, cabinets or desk drawers being left open, or improperly kept cords.
Lack of Safety Measures and Proper Maintenance in Nursing Homes Endanger Seniors
Nursing home neglect, like the failure to install safety railing or provide senior citizens with walkers to help them walk safely can also result in falls. Messes and spills must be cleaned up faster in nursing homes, to avoid anyone being injured.
Lax Maintenance Practices Contribute to Parking Lot Slip and Falls in Largo
Parking lot hazards like broken asphalt, poor lighting, lack of sidewalks, potholes, large puddles, unpainted car stops, and more, can cause slip and fall accidents. A parking lot that isn’t well-maintained is an accident waiting to happen.
Where do Largo Slip and Fall Accidents Occur?
Generally, Largo slip and fall injuries occur in locations that frequently see spills, have a change in elevation, or have obscured hazards on the property. Slip and fall accident can occur anywhere, but the most common places include:
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Small Businesses
- Parking Lots
- Workplaces (Construction Sites, Restaurants, Factories)
- Nursing Homes
- Apartment Complexes
- Your Friend’s House
Additionally, common slip and fall accident sites typically have distractions that can cause people to overlook hazards.
Duty of Care in Largo Slip and Fall Accidents
The foundation of any slip and fall case is establishing who owed the injured party a duty of care.
Duty of care refers to the duty that people have to make a reasonable effort to keep each other safe. This duty applies to slip and fall accidents as well, and can be applicable to different people.
Largo Property Owners are Responsible for Keeping the Premises Safe
For example, a business owner has the duty to make sure that their store is clean, their parking lot is free of hazards, and that any spills are cleaned up immediately. A breach of this duty is called negligence when it results in an accident.
Employers Have an Obligation to Minimize Largo Employees’ Risk of Slip and Fall Injuries
In other cases, such as workplace slip and falls, the employer is the one with the duty to reasonably protect their workers from harm. This means making sure the workplace is uncluttered, and making sure that everyone is properly trained.
Largo Landlords Must Address Slip and Fall Hazards in a Timely Manner
If you live in an apartment complex or rental property, your landlord also owes you this duty. This means letting you know of any hazards before you move in, fixing any maintenance issues within a reasonable time frame, and keeping all common areas (like hallways, staircases, and paths) safe and clean.
Private Homeowners Have a Duty to Warn Others of Slip and Fall Risks
Even if you were to fall in a friend’s home, this duty of care still applies. Your friend, the owner of the home, has the responsibility to tell you of any potential dangers in their home. For example, if you were to trip over a broken porch step, they could be negligent for not forewarning you about the hazard.
Receive Compensation for Your Damages Related to Largo Slip and Fall Injuries
When you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may have high medical bills (especially if you’ve suffered from a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury) as well as lost wages that are making you stressed.
You can claim both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills and lost wages, while non-economic damages cover non-monetary losses like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of earning capacity, and any compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement.
It’s important to accurately enumerate and quantify your damages. That way, you can recover the full cost of your Largo slip and fall injuries. Our experienced attorneys can help you recover the compensation you deserve so you don’t have to worry about money anymore.
Contact a Largo Slip and Fall Attorney About Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries
What started as a simple trip to the grocery store, visit to a friend’s home, or even a regular day at work can quickly become a disaster due to someone else’s negligence.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident, and you’re located in the Largo, Florida area, please contact one of our talented attorneys. We have years of experience working on slip and fall cases. Our team can walk you through the process of your personal injury case.
For more information or a free case evaluation, please contact us online or by calling us at (727) 571-1333. We’ll help you secure the compensation you deserve for your Largo slip and fall injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recover compensation for Largo slip and fall injuries that caused my long-term disability?
To recover damages with a long-term disability after a Largo slip and fall, there are a few things you should do. Firstly, you should involve a Largo slip and fall lawyer. They’ll assess the immediate and long-term costs of your injuries to determine the value of your claim.
Meanwhile, keep careful records of any costs related to your injuries. This includes more than just straightforward medical bills. If you have to hire someone to mow your lawn because your broken femur prevents you from doing it yourself, that could be an expense.
The cost of using a rideshare service to get to doctors appointments, chronic pain that limits your ability to play with your kids, and your reduced earning capacity due to your injury could all potentially be damages in your Largo slip and fall injury claim.
Can I file a workers’ compensation claim against my employer if I sustained Largo slip and fall injuries at work?
If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, which most Florida businesses do, then you can file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured while on the job.
You are still eligible for workers’ comp even if the slip and fall accident was your fault, in most cases. Your workers’ compensation benefits can help cover some of the costs of your medical bills and lost wages.
Can I still recover compensation for Largo slip and fall injuries if I was partially responsible for causing the accident?
If the Largo slip and fall accident that caused your injuries was 50% or less your fault, then yes, you likely can. However, it will only be a portion of what your claim is worth. According to Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you would be eligible for a settlement minus the percentage of the fault you contributed.
