Homosassa Springs Slip and Fall Attorney 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDD) reports that slip and falls can be serious and costly; “over 800,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.” The aftermath of a slip and fall accident can affect your physical well-being, financial stability, and overall quality of life. If you have suffered injuries due to the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation. 

To find out if you have a viable case, reach out to discuss your slip and fall accident in a free, no-obligation consultation with a skilled Homosassa Springs personal injury lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is passionate about fighting for injury victims and their families. We leverage our extensive knowledge, real-world experience, and the authority of expert medical and financial witnesses to present your strongest, most compelling case. 

Establishing Liability in a Slip and Fall Claim 

Property owners, managers, and lessees have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises or provide fair warning to residents, customers, or patrons of potentially dangerous or harmful conditions. Slip and falls are common in supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants, theme parks, hotels, and apartment complexes.  

In a slip and fall claim, the burden is on the plaintiff (accident victim) and their attorney to establish liability, which consists of the following four elements: 

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care. In a premises liability claim, the owner or manager of a property has a duty to maintain their premises free from hazards that could cause an accident. 
2. The defendant breached this duty by allowing a hazardous condition they knew about or should have known about. For example, condensation created slick surfaces in the aisle of a grocery store.  
3. Causation. The breach of duty directly caused your accident because you slipped and fell due to a hazardous condition on the premises. 
4. Damages. You sustained compensable damages as a result. 

Common Hazardous Conditions  

The most common hazardous conditions that are frequently responsible for slip and fall accidents include the following: 

• Wet floors 
• Oil spills 
• Uneven sidewalks 
• Loose cords 
• Inadequate lighting 
• Broken or poorly built stairs or faulty hand railings on staircases. 

Property owners have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their premises for visitors. When they delay necessary maintenance, neglect to promptly clean up spills, or fail to post warnings about potential dangers, they jeopardize the well-being of others.  

Potential Compensation in a Successful Slip and Fall Claim 

Compensation in slip and fall claims generally fall into two categories: 

• Compensatory damages make you whole by compensating for your losses due to another party’s negligence. These include economic damages that are easily verifiable by receipts and bills. Non-economic damages are the soft costs that include pain and suffering. 
• Punitive or exemplary damages penalize a negligent party to deter future bad conduct and to set an example for other parties. Courts generally award punitive damages only when it is determined that the defendant’s actions were particularly harmful or egregious. 

Examples of Economic and Non-economic Damages  

Medical expenses are economic damages and may consist of all reasonable and necessary medical treatment related to the injuries from the accident, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor consultations, diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs, prescription medications, and physical therapy. 

Lost wages are also economic damages and are awarded if you are unable to work while recovering. They could include your regular pay, overtime pay, bonuses, commissions, and even vacation or sick days you had to use because of the injury.  

Pain and suffering are non-economic damages and compensate the injured party for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish they suffered because of the slip and fall accident and the resulting injuries. 

Evidence in a Slip and Fall Claim 

Evidence is essential in a successful slip and fall claim. It proves that an accident occurred and demonstrates the property owner’s negligence. Evidence can include photographs of the accident scene, witness statements, accident reports, medical records, or surveillance video. From preserving physical evidence such as the clothes you were wearing to documenting your injuries and keeping track of medical expenses, every detail matters.  

The Role of a Slip and Fall Lawyer 

Our team of injury attorneys will fight tirelessly for justice for our clients. We take the time to listen to your story and tailor our approach accordingly. We will also conduct a thorough investigation to determine if the property owner violated any relevant municipal or state codes or regulations. If violations are found, this will strengthen your case by demonstrating negligence on the property owner’s part. 

We assess liability, collaborate with experts in other fields, and develop a strategic plan of action. Whether it is negotiating with insurance companies to obtain the highest settlement for you or advocating for you in court, we will fight for the best possible outcome on your behalf. 

Statute of Limitations 

Florida’s statute of limitations for filing a slip and fall claim is generally two years from the accident date. Once the time limit expires, you may lose your opportunity to pursue compensation, regardless of the strength of your case or the extent of your injuries. 

Further, important evidence may be lost or become more challenging to obtain, e.g., witnesses’ memories may fade, and video surveillance footage can be erased. Acting quickly ensures that evidence can be collected and preserved, witnesses can be interviewed while their memory is still fresh, and your legal rights are protected. 

 Schedule a Free Case Review with a Homosassa Springs Slip and Fall Lawyer  

If you are a resident of Citrus County and have sustained a serious injury due to a property owner’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses and expenses. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees unless we are successful. Trust a Homosassa Springs slip-and-fall attorney to fight for your rights so you can devote your time and energy to your recovery.