If you or a loved one has suffered a slip and fall accident in a Sarasota business, understanding your legal rights may feel overwhelming. However, with the guidance of a qualified personal injury lawyer, you can confidently navigate the process and seek fair compensation. At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we’ve recovered millions and millions for clients injured by negligence. We fight to get you paid!
What Common Hazards Cause Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents often occur due to:
- Wet or slippery floors without warning signage
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks or entryways
- Broken or poorly maintained staircases and handrails
- Inadequate lighting in corridors or stairwells
- Loose rugs, mats, or unsecured carpeting
- Debris or clutter left in walkways
When property owners fail to correct these conditions or warn visitors, they can be held liable under Florida’s premises liability law.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall Accident?
Your actions immediately after the incident can greatly impact your case. To preserve your slip and fall legal rights in Sarasota, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention – Hidden injuries such as concussions or spinal trauma may not be immediately apparent. Documentation is vital for both health and legal purposes.
- Report the incident – Notify store management or the property owner. Request an official incident report.
- Document the scene – Take clear photos or videos of the hazard, your injuries, and any property damage.
- Gather witness info – Names and contact details of eyewitnesses can be key in establishing liability.
- Preserve evidence – Keep the clothes and shoes you were wearing as they may show traces like liquid stains or skid patterns.
- Follow treatment recommendations – Insurance companies often evaluate whether victims follow through on care.
How Does Florida Law Impact Your Slip and Fall Legal Rights in Sarasota?
Florida law recognizes a property owner’s duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Under Florida Statute §768.0755, a business is liable if they had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazardous condition and failed to fix it.
You must prove four elements:
- Duty of care – The business owed a responsibility to keep the premises safe.
- Breach – The business failed to fix, clean, or warn about the hazard.
- Causation – That breach caused your injuries.
- Damages – You suffered measurable losses (medical bills, lost income, etc.).
Moreover, Florida operates under comparative negligence per §768.81. If you are partially responsible (e.g., running or wearing inappropriate footwear), your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault—but you can still recover damages unless you are more than 50% at fault.
The statute of limitations is also crucial: under Florida Statute §95.11, you typically have four years from the date of the fall to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Why Is a Personal Injury Attorney Important in Slip and Fall Cases?
Hiring a knowledgeable slip and fall lawyer helps you build a strong claim. At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we assist clients by:
- Conducting thorough investigations and site inspections
- Gathering expert testimony from medical professionals and safety engineers
- Negotiating with insurance adjusters to prevent lowball settlements
- Preparing the case for trial when necessary
Without representation, insurance companies may undervalue your injuries or deny your claim altogether. An experienced accident lawyer ensures your case is taken seriously and your rights are preserved.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover?
If you’ve been injured in a Sarasota slip and fall, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses (emergency room visits, imaging, surgeries)
- Future care costs (rehab, follow-up visits, physical therapy)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage, such as broken eyeglasses or phones
Our legal team uses proven methodologies and expert opinions to calculate these losses accurately and fight for full recovery.
Can Businesses Escape Liability?
Some businesses try to claim:
- They had no knowledge of the hazard
- The danger was “open and obvious”
- You weren’t paying attention or were improperly dressed
Florida courts often reject these excuses if there’s evidence that the hazard existed long enough to be noticed and fixed. For example, a puddle left for hours in a grocery store may imply negligence, even without prior reports.
Are Slip and Fall Injuries Common in Florida?
Yes. According to the Florida Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among people over 65. But they also affect younger adults—especially in commercial spaces. The National Floor Safety Institute reports that slip and falls account for over 1 million ER visits annually across the country.
What If You Have Preexisting Conditions?
Even with a preexisting condition, you may still be eligible for compensation. Under the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine, a defendant must take the victim as they are. This means that if the accident worsens your existing condition, you can still hold the property owner accountable for the added harm.
Your personal injury lawyer will work with medical experts to separate the new injuries from prior conditions and show how the fall exacerbated your health problems.
How Can You Strengthen Your Case?
Besides prompt reporting and treatment, here are ways to protect your claim:
- Keep a recovery journal – Note your pain levels, emotional changes, and limitations in daily life.
- Avoid social media – Posts can be used by insurers to dispute your injuries.
- Follow up with your attorney regularly – Communication ensures your case stays on track and your legal strategy adapts as needed.
What Should You Expect When Working With Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys?
When you work with us, expect:
- Free consultations with no obligation
- Contingency-based representation—you don’t pay unless we win
- Access to expert networks and investigative resources
- Aggressive advocacy from negotiation to courtroom litigation
We understand what it takes to pursue justice in Sarasota slip and fall cases. Whether it’s gathering evidence, handling complex insurance policies, or preparing for trial, we are committed to your case from start to finish.
We fight to get you paid!
How Do You Know If You Have a Valid Case?
If you experienced a fall due to an unsafe condition—such as a wet floor, broken railing, or poorly lit stairwell—you likely have a valid claim under Florida law. The extent of your injuries, whether they required treatment or time off work, also strengthens your case.
Even minor injuries can evolve into costly medical conditions if left untreated, which is why it’s essential to consult a personal injury attorney early in the process.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you or someone you love has suffered a slip and fall injury in Sarasota, don’t delay:
- Get medical attention right away
- Photograph the scene and document everything
- Report the incident to the business or property owner
- Speak to a personal injury lawyer to evaluate your options
With Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys on your side, you gain experienced advocates ready to protect your rights, pursue every available avenue for recovery, and hold negligent businesses accountable.
