Slips and falls happen every day, and sometimes through no fault of your own or another party. But some slip and fall accidents are due to the negligence of a person or organization, and you need to know your legal options in these circumstances.
This article will break down everything you need to know about Tampa slip and fall accidents and how to contact knowledgeable legal representatives.
What Are Slip & Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents occur when a person slips on a hazard, which can be bumpy, ridged, or smooth, and falls backward, sustaining injuries as a result. For example, if a person slips on a patch of ice while walking on the sidewalk, they experience a slip and fall accident.
Similarly, if a Tampa resident slips at a restaurant that fails to put up a “wet floor” sign after mopping the area, they’ve suffered a slip and fall accident and may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Slip and fall accidents are far from uncommon, as well. According to the National Floor Safety Institute or NFSI, falls account for, “over 8 million hospital emergency room visits” annually and are the leading cause of hospital revisits overall nationwide. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there were over 220,000 workplace falls, slips, and trips in 2017 alone.
In Florida specifically, unintentional falls are the leading cause of death among Florida residents over the age of 65. In 2012, there were over 62,000 hospitalizations for nonfatal injuries related to slips and falls.
Where Do Slip & Fall Accidents Occur?
Slip and fall accidents can occur in a variety of locations, such as:
- Business premises
- Restaurants
- Outdoor public areas, like sidewalks
- Public pools
- Residential areas
- Workplaces
In the latter case, slip and fall accidents at work may still be grounds for a worker’s compensation claim if:
- The injured worker was doing their regular work duties
- The hazard that caused the slip and fall was unavoidable or should not have been there
- Workplace neglect led to the development of the slip and fall hazard
Common Slip & Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries can vary from person-to-person, but oftentimes include:
- Bruises
- Broken bones, such as broken wrists, broken tail bones, etc.
- TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) like concussions
- Lacerations and cuts
As you can see, slip and fall injuries can range from minor to severe. Many slip and fall injuries incur heavy costs on their victims, such as expensive medical bills, lengthy hospital stays, and time missed from work.
If you or a loved one are injured because of a slip and fall accident, you may have grounds to file a claim and, potentially, a lawsuit. To successfully win and recover damages, however, you must prove negligence on behalf of another party, as well as prove that you were not mostly responsible for your own injuries. Slip and fall lawyers can help in this effort.
Slip & Fall vs. Trip & Fall Accidents
Although they sound similar, slip and fall accidents aren’t precisely the same things as trip and fall accidents.
In a trip and fall accident, a victim trips over a hazard and falls forward rather than backward. This sometimes results in different injuries or physical damage patterns. Furthermore, trip and fall accidents are usually caused by slightly different hazards compared to slip and fall accidents.
For example, you can’t usually slip and fall on a stair that’s higher than it should be. But you can trip and fall on such a hazard.
What Are Slip & Fall Lawyers?
Slip and fall lawyers are knowledgeable legal representatives who work with victims of this accident type. They may represent slip and fall victims in legal actions in court.
Slip and fall lawyers know:
- What constitutes negligence in these cases
- Whether accident victims have grounds to file lawsuits or other legal actions
- The kind of evidence needed to prove an accusation of fault
- And more
How Can Slip & Fall Lawyers Help?
When you hire knowledgeable Tampa slip and fall lawyers, you’ll benefit from their assistance in several important ways.
Determine Legal Grounds
Tampa slip and fall lawyers can help you determine whether you have legal grounds to file a lawsuit or any other legal action. If you slip and fall at a restaurant, for instance, you may wish to sue the restaurant for negligence.
But for your claim to be successful, you must prove that:
- The restaurant was negligent in its duties toward your safety
- The restaurant was on notice of the potential hazard or should have been aware of the potential hazard, had they behaved appropriately.
- You were not completely responsible for the fall.
Collect Evidence
Furthermore, slip and fall lawyers can collect evidence for you while you recover from your injuries. This can include eyewitness accounts, police reports, or photo and video documentation of the scene of the incident.
Present Evidence in Court
Importantly, slip and fall lawyers in Tampa can present evidence gathered in court to sway a judge or jury to your side of the matter. How evidence is presented is just as important as the type of evidence presented, so experienced lawyers can make a major difference in terms of case outcomes, damage awards, and more.
Contact Hunter Law Today
The right Tampa slip and fall lawyers can maximize your chances of achieving a successful case verdict or legal outcome. Whether you plan to sue the at-fault party or need help negotiating with an insurance company, Hunter Law can help.
We’re knowledgeable, experienced Tampa lawyers well-versed in the legal details of all types of injury incidents, including slip and fall accidents. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and consultation to learn more.