One fall is all it takes to sideline you for weeks or months. Your injuries could make it impossible to handle everyday tasks like driving your car, taking care of your family, or even going to work. For some, a slip-and-fall means a serious injury that takes away their independence forever.
Property owners in Florida are legally required to keep their premises safe for visitors. When they don’t, and you get hurt, you may be able to hold them accountable for your hardships. Our slip-and-fall accident lawyers in Port Saint Lucie will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Blakeley Law Firm has recovered more than $250 million for injured Floridians. We’re a legal family that’s committed to serving others. Call now for our free consultation and find out how our personal injury lawyers in Port Saint Lucie can help with your slip-and-fall claim.
Proving Negligence in a Slip-and-Fall Case
Premises liability laws state that Florida property owners have a legal obligation to maintain their properties safely. If a dangerous situation exists that they know or should have known about and they fail to repair or warn you about it, they may be liable for injuries. This applies to places such as:
- Private Residences
- Shopping Malls
- Grocery Stores
- Nightclubs
- Sports Stadiums
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Schools
- Parks
- Parking Lots
Property owners have a varied level of responsibility, depending on their relationship with the visitor. Invitees, such as customers or patrons, have the highest level, while trespassers are owed the least amount of responsibility.
Port Saint Lucie Slip And Fall Accident Lawyer Near Me
Get Free CONSULTATION
What to Do After a Slip-and-Fall in Port St. Lucie
Falling in a public place can be embarrassing, and you may be tempted to downplay the incident. You must take it seriously and follow the appropriate steps after your accident. This includes:
Get Medical Attention
You may think you are okay, but some injuries take time to manifest. See a doctor and get checked out. Common injuries our slip-and-fall accident attorneys in Port Saint Lucie often see include:
- Broken Bones
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Cuts and Lacerations
Getting the care you need not only addresses any potential injuries but also creates a record of your health.
Report Your Accident
If you didn’t tell someone in charge when you fell, contact the manager or property owner immediately and report your incident. Do so in writing if possible, and keep copies of any incident reports they ask you to complete.
Document the Scene
If the dangerous situation still exists, take photos. If it has been cleaned up or repaired, you can still take pictures of the scene that could serve as evidence later on. You may also wish to get the names of any witnesses who were there at the time of the accident.
Talk to Our Legal Team
Consult with our attorneys as soon as possible after your accident and injury, and before speaking with any insurance representatives from the at-fault party. Our team can offer advice and guide your next steps to project your case and legal rights.
Damages in a Slip-and-Fall Accident
Our Port Saint Lucie slip-and-fall accident lawyers will investigate your incident, determine who is liable for your slip-and-fall accident, and seek maximum compensation for your damages. While every case is unique, these often include:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
In rare cases where a property owner behaved especially egregiously, we may be able to recover punitive damages. These are not meant as compensation for your damages, but instead to punish the defendant for extremely negligent or illegal behavior.
Comparative Negligence in Florida
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system for personal injury cases, codified in Florida Statute §768.81. This means you can recover damages even if you are partially at fault for your fall, but your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
However, if the court determines you are 51% or more responsible, you may not recover any damages at all. Insurance companies may try to use this to deny compensation by saying you are at fault for your own injury. Our legal team will push back and protect your legal rights.
Call or text 800-602-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Get Help From Our Slip-and-Fall Accident Attorneys in Port Saint Lucie
Getting hurt in a fall on someone else’s property is frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. It’s important to consider that your accident and injury could have been avoided if the property owner had done the right thing. Your slip-and-fall accident may not have been your fault at all.
The property owner may not have meant to cause your injury, but they are still liable if they knew about a dangerous situation and failed to fix it or warn you. Our slip-and-fall accident attorneys in Port Saint Lucie will work to recover the full compensation you are entitled to.
Our team at Blakeley Law Firm has more than four decades of combined legal experience, standing strong for every client who puts their trust in our firm. Call now to schedule your free consultation and tell us about your slip-and-fall accident in Port Saint Lucie.
