Property owners are required to take safety measures to prevent slip and fall accidents in Florida, but these kinds of accidents continue to happen around homes as well as businesses. If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident in the West Palm Beach area, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Hazards that Can Cause a Slip and Fall Accident in West Palm Beach
The conditions that usually lead to a slip and fall accident in West Palm Beach include the following:
- torn carpeting or loose rugs;
- altered flooring, such as a depressed area;
- bad lighting;
- narrow staircases;
- liquid spills;
- cracked or broken sidewalks;
- malfunctioning escalators;
- bad weather conditions; and
- potholes.
The injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident in Florida can be severe, ranging from painful hip fractures to ripped ligaments and concussions. A Palm Beach personal injury lawyer can help you file a Florida personal injury claim to seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering related to your slip and fall accident.
Proving Fault in a Slip and Fall Accident in West Palm Beach
Your Palm Beach personal injury lawyer will have to present evidence to prove that the property owner knew about the condition that caused your slip and fall accident in Florida.
Evidence must show that:
- the dangerous condition was created by the owner;
- the owner knew about the condition, yet failed to correct it (this factor was not required until July 1, 2010); or
- the condition had existed for so long that the owner should have corrected it before your slip and fall accident in Florida.
To establish that the property owner was liable, the potential danger must have been foreseeable. For example, suppose a 2-liter bottle of soda tumbles over and spills onto the floor of a grocery store. Two hours later, a shopper slips and falls. If security cameras show that the spilled soda was there for several hours, you could say it was foreseeable that the store was negligent in inspecting and cleaning the aisles.
Slip and Fall Accident in West Palm Beach on Residential Property
Depending on the site of your slip and fall accident in West Palm Beach, a landlord could be held liable for your injuries.
In this instance, your Palm Peach personal injury lawyer would need to show that:
- the dangerous conditions leading to the slip and fall accident in Florida were under the landlord’s control;
- repairs for the condition would have been economically feasible;
the slip and fall injury was a consequence of the dangerous conditions; and - by failing to repair the dangerous conditions, the landlord’s inaction caused the slip and fall accident in West Palm Beach.
If your slip and fall accident has occurred on government property, special rules will apply to your Florida personal injury claim. In this instance, it would be especially crucial that you consult with a Palm Beach personal injury lawyer who has experience with slip and fall accidents. It is important that the attorney has handled these types of cases and that they understand premises liability.
Contact West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
A slip and fall accident can ruin and completely change your life. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in West Palm Beach or North Palm Beach, Florida, you should contact a Florida personal injury attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained; and do you have experience with slip and fall cases?
24/7 Injury Law, a law firm based in West Palm Beach, Florida, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless one of our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now to schedule a no-cost evaluation of your case – 888-984-4878.