Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Slip and fall accidents are among the most common causes of accident-related injuries, and those injuries are often serious enough to require extensive medical treatment. The CDC reports that hospital emergency departments treat 3 million older people in the U.S. every year for injuries sustained when they fall, and more than 800,000 people who are injured in falls have head injuries, hip fractures, and other injuries that are serious enough that they need to be hospitalized.
Many of these life-altering injuries could have been prevented if property owners and managers had followed the law, which requires that they maintain their properties in a way that keeps them safe for customers and visitors. Under Florida law, people who have suffered from slip and fall injuries due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property have the right to hold the negligent parties liable and get compensated for their pain, suffering and losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip (or trip) and fall accident because the property owner or manager negligently failed to keep their premises safe, you could be compensated for the costs of your medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering and other losses. The Dennis Hernandez slip and fall premises liability lawyers are here in Fort Myers to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Myers?
The term “slip and fall accident” refers to an accident where someone falls because they slip while walking on a slippery surface or because they trip over an uneven surface or obstacle on the ground or floor. Slip and fall accidents happen in many settings, including grocery stores, retail shops, restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, apartment complexes, parking lots, sidewalks, and at home.
Sometimes, a person falls because they are careless or not feeling well, but usually slip and falls happen because a property owner was negligent. In Florida, slip and falls are often caused by improperly maintained
- Parking lots, walkways, and steps. Cracked and chipped asphalt or concrete, uneven walking surfaces and broken stairs are all trip and fall hazards.
- Retail store aisles. Items left in the aisles, such as boxes, equipment, or cords, create a hazard that shoppers can trip over.
- Floors in supermarkets, restaurants and bars. When liquid spills on floors, it creates a slipping hazard for customers.
- Lighting. Burnt out lightbulbs that aren’t replaced, broken light fixtures and light that is too dim all create a risk of falling inside and around the outside of buildings.
- Handrails. When handrails are loose or missing, people can stumble and fall.
Property owners can also negligently endanger customers or visitors when their security systems are defective or when their buildings do not conform to industry safety standards or local building codes.
What Do I Have to Prove to Win a Slip and Fall Accident Case in Fort Myers, Florida?
Florida law says that property owners must keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for their customers, visitors, and guests. When owners fail to do so, they are negligent and can be held liable in a slip and fall case.
To prove the owner or manager was negligent, you have to prove that they:
- Had a duty of care to you because, for example, you were a customer, client or guest.
- Breached their duty by failing to use reasonable care to keep their premises safe or warn of dangers, for example, by failing to fix broken stairs or by leaving spilled liquid on the floor.
You then have to prove that:
- The owner’s breach of duty was the cause of your falling and getting injured.
- You had expenses and/or losses because of your injury.
To win your case, you need evidence that proves all of these elements. An experienced Dennis Hernandez slip and fall lawyer will ensure this evidence is collected and presented to demonstrate you deserve substantial compensation for your pain, suffering, expenses and other losses.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Get for My Slip and Fall Accident Injuries?
The experienced Dennis Hernandez Fort Myers slip and fall accident lawyers can help you recover all the compensation for your injuries that the law provides, which may include compensation for medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, diminished enjoyment of life, and other types of damages.
Compensation includes not only the expenses and losses you have had so far from the time of your injury until the present — it also includes your expected expenses and losses in the future. This compensation could be substantial if you are expected to need medical treatment, rehabilitation, or assistive devices for a long time, or if your earning capacity is expected to continue to be diminished in the future. An experienced Fort Myers slip and fall lawyer can calculate these expected amounts and make sure you don’t leave any money on the table.
Contact Experienced Fort Myers Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers
Dennis Hernandez Fort Myers slip and fall lawyers will find the evidence to prove property owners or managers were negligent in maintaining their property so it was safe for you as a guest and visitor to their property. We will demonstrate the full extent of your expenses and losses that should be compensated and negotiate forcefully on your behalf with defense attorneys and insurance companies to make sure you are compensated fully.
Our top priority is to get you the fair and full compensation you deserve. If negotiations are not satisfactory, we will not back down. We will be fully prepared to fight for your rights in court and support you throughout the entire legal process.
Call us at 239-202-0000 or fill out the simple FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.