Were you recently injured in a slip and fall accident in Lake Worth, FL? Our experienced Lake Worth slip and fall lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (561) 777-7700 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Lake Worth, FL law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your slip and fall accident. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your slip and fall accident case today.
Were You Injured In A Slip and Fall Accident in Lake Worth?
While it may not sound like that big of an issue at first, a slip, trip, and fall can cause life-altering injuries. It may result in a torn ligament or tendon, major fracture, a broken bone, or even a TBI (traumatic brain injury). It can take several months – or longer – to fully recover from these injuries. In some situations, you may never be the same.
If you suffered an injury due to a slip and fall in Lake Worth, you have legal rights. When you hire a Lake Worth slip and fall lawyer from our firm, you have someone who will investigate the situation and work to build a case to prove fault and recover compensation for your injuries and damages. The responsible parties should be held liable, and we are here to ensure that happens.
Keep reading to learn more about slip and fall accidents and the services we offer.
Common Locations for Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accidents
Since tripping risks are almost everywhere, a slip and fall accident location can be almost anywhere. While this is true, these accidents commonly occur at:
- Government buildings
- Retail stores
- Amusement parks
- Malls
- Parking lots
- Condos and apartments
- Parking garages
- Hospitals
- Museums
- Nursing homes
- Museums
- Public parks
- Airports
- Restaurants
The accident may occur because of several issues. For example, you may slip on a wet floor at the grocery store or in a neighbor’s yard because of yard equipment left laying out.
It’s also common for slip and fall accidents to happen where you work. In fact, in 2017, slip and falls were the cause of approximately 900 work-related fatalities in the U.S.
Steps to Take After a Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accident
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident, you need to take the right steps directly after an accident. The steps to take in this situation include:
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
In some cases, you may not feel injured right away. After a slip and fall accident, it can take several days, or longer, for injuries to appear. If you put off medical treatment, the other party may claim your injuries were not caused by the incident or that they aren’t as bad as you claim they are.
Also, you have undeniable proof of what happened and what injuries you sustained by seeking medical treatment right away.
Take Pictures of the Area
It’s a good idea to take pictures of the area where you fell if you are capable. Be sure to capture any unsafe conditions that are present in the area, as well.
Take Photos of Your Injuries
Along with taking photos of where the accident occurred, it’s also a good idea to take photos of any injuries you experienced. This will provide more proof of the accident and what happened.
Preserve Physical Evidence
It’s a good idea to hang on to any injury or accident-related evidence present. This includes things like bloodied or torn clothing.
Gather Witness Information
Were there people nearby who saw what happened? If so, be sure to gather their contact information, including their name, address, and phone number.
Report the Accident
Let the building owner or manager know about your accident and what happened. They should also document the accident and your injuries.
If you don’t take the steps mentioned here right away, you may lose essential evidence for your case. Waiting even a day may impact your ability to recover compensation. Our attorneys will help conduct an investigation regarding the situation, calculate what damages you deserve, and provide advice about what legal options you have.
Common Causes of Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accidents
There are more than a few situations when a slip and fall accident may occur. Some of these situations include:
- Poor lighting in a stairway or parking lot
- Slippery substances on the floor
- Hidden step-ups or downs
- Ice, snow, or water on stairs
- Inability to warn visitors about a dangerous condition or situation
- Unsafe exits or entryways
- Loose objects or clutter on the floor
- Loose cables or wires
- Flooring that is in poor repair
Potential Compensation You Can Receive from a Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accident
In Lake Worth, if you were involved in a slip and fall accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Damages are divided into two kinds – economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These are the damages that have a tangible amount attached to them. They include things like:
- All accident-related medical costs (present and future)
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Related out of pocket costs
We will investigate your slip and fall case and determine the precise value of the economic damages you are entitled to.
Non-economic Damages
This refers to injuries that cannot be quantified easily with a specific dollar amount. Some examples of non-economic damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Pain and suffering
Because there is no objective dollar amount to apply to these damages, we will negotiate with the other party to ensure you get the full amount you deserve. We can also take your case to court, if needed, and present your situation to let a judge determine what you deserve.
In some rare situations, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These are designed to punish the defendant in situations where intentional or reckless behavior caused your injuries. While these types of damages are not common in slip and fall cases, they can be awarded in some situations.
To claim compensation for a slip and fall injury in Lake Worth, you must prove the defendant acted negligently or acted intentionally.
Types of Injuries That May Occur in a Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accident
Slip and fall accidents can cause many injuries. While this is true, some are more common than others. The most common injuries that occur in slip and fall accidents include:
Fractured or Broken Bones
These types of injuries may heal completely in time; however, some fractures can cause more serious problems and reduce your quality of life. For example, older individuals who suffer a slip and fall may break their hip, which may require them to undergo surgery.
Brain or Head Injuries
A brain or head injury may happen if you hit your head suddenly when you fall. These types of injuries to the brain can be anywhere from mild to severe; however, no matter how serious the head injury is, it can have a huge impact on you and your life. Brain and head injuries can be anything from a mild concussion to more serious or debilitating brain injuries, which require rehabilitation and ongoing treatment for several months or years.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
If this type of injury occurs, it is usually more serious and may even result in paralysis. Usually, surgery and therapy are required, along with rehabilitation. Your quality of life and ability to perform normal tasks may be impaired permanently, as well.
Sprains
Falls may also cause soft tissue injuries like tears or sprains. This will impact your ligaments, tendons, and muscles in some cases. These types of injuries are typically extremely painful and may impact your ability to function and move properly. Because of this, you may require ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Neck Injuries
With neck injuries, you may deal with pain and mobility problems. You may also deal with tingling, numbness, headaches, and sleeping problems. Your overall quality of life may be diminished by this injury too, and you may not be able to carry or pick up items, including your children. The injury may also prevent you from working.
Fatalities
In rare situations, death can occur due to a slip and fall accident. If this happens, the loved ones of the deceased individual can file a wrongful death claim.
Lake Worth Slip and Fall Accidents FAQ’s
We get a lot of questions from individuals who have been injured due to a slip and fall situation. Some of the answers to the most common questions can be found here.
Do You Have a Case?
If you experienced a slip and fall situation, our legal team would evaluate your case to see if you can sue. You will because property owners have a legal obligation to keep their property free from hazards in most cases.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
In most situations, you have two years to file a lawsuit after the date of the accident. If someone died because of the fall, you have just two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The deadline to sue the government (if you fall on public property) is not as long either. You can contact our legal team to discuss how long you have to file.
How Long Will Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit Take?
Most cases will go through four stages. It isn’t necessary to go through each one for every case. In fact, less than five percent of cases will go to trial.
Step 1: The claim, which can take 30 to 90 days. During this time, the claim for damages is presented to the owner, and their insurer will review it, negotiate, and come to a conclusion that may be an agreement.
Step 2: This is when a lawsuit is filed, which can take six to 12 months. We will investigate the case to determine responsibilities, gather witness statements, collect evidence, and build your case if this is done.
Step 3: Mediation can last for up to one year. The goal is to try to avoid going to court.
Step 4: The final step is a trial, which can take up to two years and cost a lot of money. Because of this, it is in the best interest of both parties to try to settle the case before it reaches this point.
Speak With a Lake Worth Slip and Fall Lawyer Near Me Today
If you or someone you love was involved in a slip and fall accident in Lake Worth, we recommend contacting our legal team right away. We will evaluate your case and take steps to gather evidence to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
While there is no guarantee about the type or amount of compensation you will receive for your injuries or damages, we will work to help you get what you deserve. Our team is behind you every step of the way and will work to ensure you have the best possible chance of a full recovery, regardless of what that means for you or your situation.
