Slip and fall accidents can be painful—both physically and financially. If you suffer a slip and fall injury, you’re also likely to experience significant stress. You have to deal with insurance companies, make plans for being away from work, and determine how best to protect your rights. And you must address all this while also going to doctor appointments, paying medical bills and trying to recover from your injuries.
Make the aftermath of a slip and fall accident much less stressful by getting the assistance of skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, like our team at Ginnis & Krathen. Our law firm advocates on your behalf. We ensure that insurance companies and others don’t take advantage of your vulnerability to deny you fair compensation.
We also encourage you to learn more about your rights by downloading our law firm’s free Slip & Fall Guide today.
When You Should Pursue a Slip and Fall Case
Lawmakers created the legislation covering slip and fall accidents and other personal injuries to protect people like you, who are injured through no fault of their own. Victims may suffer broken bones, head and neck injuries, back injuries, and other painful and costly medical traumas due to someone else’s carelessness. You shouldn’t have to cover the cost of your treatment and recovery.
Personal injury laws for slip and fall accidents include requirements that are fair both to property owners and visitors, including that:
- The injured party was invited to the property. This may be specifically (like when someone asks the person to attend a meeting) or generally (like the open “invitation” for customers to shop at a store).
- The injured person slipped, fell, and was injured because of unsafe conditions.
- The property owner should have identified and addressed the dangerous condition that caused the fall.
Several hazardous conditions can cause slips, trips and falls. These include flooring problems, such as worn carpet, missing or broken floor tiles and uneven floor surfaces. Another issue is wet floors (with no sign cautioning visitors), and dirt or debris on walkways that create a slippery surface.
A lack of handrails where needed, inadequate warning signage, and poor lighting also increases the risk of an injury. Remember, you shouldn’t have to suffer because of a property owner’s negligence.
Determining Responsibility in a Slip and Fall Case
An attorney can tell you whether you have a valid slip and fall case. But if your situation meets the criteria above, you have good reason to get a free consultation about the events leading to your accident.
5 Steps to Take After Your Slip and Fall Accident
If you have a slip and fall accident, there are five essential steps you should take:
- Report the accident to the property owner or manager immediately.
- Take photos of the scene that show the conditions that led to your injury.
- Seek medical attention. Some injuries are obvious, but others may be masked by the adrenaline rush from your accident. You must get a prompt and comprehensive medical assessment.
- Contact the personal injury attorneys at Ginnis & Krathen as soon as possible. Every moment counts to collect essential evidence for your case. At Ginnis & Krathen, we work with experts who are ready at a moment’s notice to document and preserve evidence so that nothing disappears over time. If you take a “wait and see” approach to your accident, you may lose the evidence that will help get you the fair compensation you deserve.
- Provide any requested information to your personal injury lawyer, but otherwise, focus on your healing. Your attorney will take the lead on all interactions with other parties.
Connect With Experts Who Will Protect Your Rights
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait to act. Contact Ginnis & Krathen today to relieve your stress, learn about your rights, and start moving toward the financial compensation you need and deserve.