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Slip and Fall Accidents in St. Petersburg
Experienced attorneys representing those injured in falls in St. Petersburg, FL
People underestimate the risks involved with serious falls. Tripping over an uneven surface or slipping on a wet floor can lead to broken bones and even traumatic brain injuries. When these incidents take place because a property owner was negligent, the injured person may have a claim for damages. If you or a loved one was harmed in one of these accidents, contact our St. Petersburg slip and fall accident attorneys to discuss your case and legal options.
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Why choose MattLaw
Choosing the right personal injury attorney means finding someone dedicated, experienced, and with a track record of successfully representing clients. MattLaw has been fighting to protect the rights and futures of slip and fall injury victims for over 35 years. Founder Matt Powell holds Board Certification in Civil Trial Law and Civil Practice Advocacy from the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in Civil Trial Law. Board certification is a demanding process that sets a high standard for attorneys. To earn this recognition, lawyers must:
- Practice law for a minimum of five years
- Spend at least 50% of their practice in civil trial law over the past three years
- Lead 15 or more contested cases
- Complete over 50 hours of continuing legal education in civil trial law in the last three years
- Receive peer reviews from fellow attorneys
- Pass a written exam
For more information about Matt Powell and other attorneys on MattLaw’s team, reach out and schedule a consultation.
Frequently asked questions about slip and falls in St. Petersburg
What causes slip and falls?
In many cases, slip and falls are entirely preventable. The person or persons in control of the property are often aware of the conditions that lead to these accidents and injuries and could have remedied them before someone fell. Some common property conditions that create an environment where falls are more likely include:
- Wet floors, possibly from spills or leaks from ceilings or equipment
- Loose floorboards
- Cracks and potholes
- Bunching or bulging carpeting
- Loose mats or rugs
- Uneven sidewalks, floors, or stairs
- Tripping hazards and wires
- Poor lighting that makes it harder to see obstacles
What injuries are likely in a slip and fall?
Falls often lead to minor injuries like scrapes or bruises. However, more serious injuries can also occur, leading to permanent harm and even fatal results. In fact, falls are the number one cause of accidental death for elderly people. Some common slip and fall injuries include:
- Head injuries: Concussions and more serious traumatic brain injuries can happen if a person falls and strikes their head. In these cases, the person may experience headaches, memory loss, nausea, dizziness, and other symptoms. Cognitive impairment is a possibility as well, and in severe cases, the results can be fatal.
- Spinal cord injuries: Falling the wrong way can damage a person’s spine. Injuries to the neck and the rest of the spine may cause permanent harm, including paralysis.
- Bone fractures: Broken bones are another common consequence of serious falls. Fractures to the arms, wrists, hips, and legs often occur, while fractures to the spine are also possible.
- Soft tissue injuries: Bruises, sprains, and strains are common with falls. While these might not seem as serious, they can lead to long-term pain and require costly treatments like physical therapy and rehabilitation.
What if I’m partly at fault for the slip and fall that caused my injury?
It’s not uncommon for the liable party to argue that the injured person is to blame for their own injuries. In some cases, courts may find that the injured individual is at fault, either entirely or partly. In Florida, you can still recover from a liable party if you are also at fault, as long as your share of blame does not exceed 50%. The court will reduce the damages based on your percentage of fault, but you can still collect much of the compensation. For instance, if you are 20% at fault, you can collect 80% of the total damages.
What should I do after a slip and fall?
Following a slip and fall accident, there are a few steps you should take.
- Seek medical care: this should be the number one priority, as the injuries could be serious or even life-threatening in the case of a head injury.
- Report to the property owner: If you are in a commercial setting, you should be sure that they file an accident report. There should be a record documenting that you were injured.
- Collect evidence: If you can, take pictures of the area, including any possible hazards that led to your injury.
You should also ensure you contact an attorney sooner rather than later. You only have two years to file the claim. Also, your attorney protects your rights and preserves your claims when you speak to insurance companies.
Proving negligence in a slip and fall claim
One of the most important factors in a slip and fall case is what type of property the injured person was on and why they were there. The safety expectations differ based on these factors. Here are the different categories and requirements:
- Businesses and public places: Businesses like shops, grocery stores, public parks, and schools owe the highest level of safety for visitors. The owners or those in control of these locations must correct dangers and warn about possible risks on the property. There is a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions and even to protect against foreseeable third-party crime.
- Invited guests: Social guests on private property have protections similar to those of business patrons, including the right to be warned about known risks on the property.
- Uninvited guests with legitimate reasons to be on the property: Uninvited guests may include someone like a salesperson. Here, the level of protection is lower, and owners only need to avoid willfully injuring the person. Something like a concealed trap on the property might lead to liability if it led to an injury of someone in these circumstances.
- Trespassers: There is no duty to protect trespassers, although willfully injuring them may lead to liability. Even in the case of trespassers, there is an exception that applies specifically to children. For instance, owners with an “attractive nuisance” on their property may face liability if a child enters the property and injures themselves.
It’s important to understand the type of property and legal protections that apply if you suffer injuries in a slip and fall. Your St. Petersburg slip and fall lawyer can help break down how these might apply in your case.
Damages in a St. Petersburg slip and fall case
If you file a slip and fall claim and prove that the property owner was negligent, you can recover damages. The compensation you can collect depends largely on the extent of your injuries. Your economic damages include your medical costs, rehabilitative expenses, lost earnings, and other actual financial losses you experienced or expect to experience in the future because of your injuries.
Non-economic damages are also available and cover losses that are too difficult to calculate. For instance, you can collect for your pain and suffering and emotional distress. The damages available will also differ in cases where a slip and fall cause deadly harm. In those tragic cases, the family can recover damages by filing a wrongful death claim.
Do you have a St. Petersburg slip and fall attorney near me?
MattLaw has offices in St. Petersburg and Tampa. If you cannot make it to either of those locations, we can work out alternative arrangements to meet prospective clients.
Contact MattLaw for a free slip and fall consultation
At MattLaw, we understand how serious slip and fall injuries can be. If you’ve suffered severe harm from a fall, contact the St. Petersburg slip and fall lawyers at MattLaw to discuss your claim. We offer free consultations for victims of slip and fall-related injuries.