Slip and Fall Lawyer
in St. Pete & Pinellas Park, FL

Despite what many people believe, slip and falls can result in serious injuries. A fall from a great height, onto a hard surface, or near a dangerous object can cause a severe injury, permanent medical condition, and sometimes death. Falls are an especially great risk to young children, the elderly, and disabled. Often these falls could be prevented if there were not hazardous conditions causing an accident to happen.

Property owners and renters who invite guests into their establishment or home while there are dangerous conditions present can be responsible for the slip and fall injuries which follow. 

Some common causes include:

• Slippery or wet floors
• Uneven flooring
• Raised or cracked sidewalks
• A change in elevation (steps down or up)
• Broken railings
• Inadequate lighting
• Unsecured rugs or carpets
• Appliance cords and objects

These can become complex claims due to the need to establish the responsible party’s duty of care to the victim, whether that duty was breached, and the extent of injuries sustained. It is important to seek medical care immediately to learn the nature and extent of your injuries in order to increase your chance of receiving full compensation. Common injuries following a fall include broken and fractured bones, back injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and contusions. Remember that an injury which appears to be minor may actually be serious and worsen over time, by seeking medical care early, your chance of making a full recovery is also improved. 

Slip and fall accidents are very common and they can cause a large amount of pain and suffering. Property owners are required to keep their premises in good repair. If you injure yourself on someone else’s property, they may responsible for providing you compensation for your pain and suffering. Slip and fall accidents can be complicated, it is important to know the facts so that you can prepare yourself for any eventuality. 

What You Should do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident

A slip and fall accident can cause a great deal of physical and emotional pain. It can be difficult to know what to do, in order to mitigate that pain in both the immediate and distant future. There are a few actions that you should take directly after a slip and fall accident.

Seek Medical Attention

Seeking medical attention immediately after a slip and fall accident accomplishes two goals. 

1. The doctor will evaluate the extent of your injuries. He will give you a treatment plan designed to eliminate your pain as soon as possible and help you to get back to normal. 
2. A doctor’s visit documents your injuries. This is essential if you are to take legal action after your slip and fall. Without this professional  documentation you may find it very difficult to receive compensation for your injuries. 

Evaluate the Events That Caused the Accident

It is important to collect your thoughts as soon as possible. You should inspect the scene to discover/confirm  if a broken sidewalk, out of place display, or other unsafe condition caused your fall. Take pictures of the scene so that you have visual documentation of the scene. Discover if there is any video footage (surveillance cameras, cell phone videos). Also, identify and interview prospective witnesses. Corroboration from another party can help you to confirm or disprove your theory on what caused the slip or fall. 

You should also write down your version of how the accident occurred. Be as specific as possible in order to give a detailed and informative account of what happened. Some details may disappear from your mind as time goes on, if you write it down when it is fresh, you will be less likely to leave details out. 

File a Report

Some establishments may want you to file an official report soon after the accident. If you don’t fill out this report it may be said that your injuries weren’t serious enough for you to file a report. It is a good idea to fill out the report honestly and include all of the vital information that you have. 

Consult Legal Counsel

Your slip and fall accident may cause a large amount of pain and stress in your life. If someone’s negligence caused this, then you deserve compensation so that you can get your life back to normal, if possible. The other party will probably employ a team of lawyers in order to avoid paying you, or to pay you as little as possible. That is why you need to find a legal representative to advocate for your needs.