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Slip and Fall Accidents
Experienced Attorney in Florida Represents Victims of Slip and Fall Accidents
HOLDING NEGLIGENT LANDLORDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS
A slip and fall or trip and fall accident can cause severe injuries, disability and even death. Premises liability law makes landlords responsible, but only when their conduct is unreasonable and the fall is due to a hidden hazard that a reasonably alert victim could not have avoided. Proving that the landlord was negligent and that the victim is blameless often requires complex proof. For these reasons, you should only trust your case to an experienced and determined personal injury attorney. When you retain the Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A., you get the benefits of my knowledge and skill acquired over more than 15 years of practice. While you tend to your injuries, you can be confident that I am working diligently on your case, pursuing the best possible outcome.
COMMON SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS IN THE HOLLYWOOD AREA
Landlords and business owners have to be vigilant about discovering hazards on their property and either repairing the dangerous condition or giving visitors adequate warning. Common hazards that lead to slip and fall injuries include:
- Broken tiles
- Bumps in carpeting
- Dark passages and stairwells
- Debris on stairways
- Loose railings
- Open drains
- Potholes
- Uneven levels
- Wet floors
Wet floors are such a hazard that Florida law has a specific statute, FS 768.0755, governing “transitory foreign substances in a business establishment.” To recover compensation, a plaintiff must prove that the business owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the slippery substance and should have remedied the situation. A plaintiff can prove constructive knowledge by showing circumstantial evidence that:
- The dangerous condition existed for such a length of time that, in the exercise of ordinary care, the business establishment should have known of the condition; or
- The condition occurred with regularity and was therefore foreseeable.
A sudden fall onto a hard surface can be devastating, especially for an older adult. Common injuries include bone fractures, concussion and traumatic brain injury, torn ligaments and cartilage, compressed vertebrae, and displaced discs.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SLIP AND FALL CASE
After a slip and fall accident, landlords usually take immediate steps to remediate the hazardous condition. Although this is beneficial to the next person who comes along, for you, it amounts to destruction of evidence that you need to win your case. With that in mind, you should act immediately to preserve the evidence. Important steps include:
- Taking photographs of the accident scene, especially the dangerous condition that caused your fall
- Speaking to witnesses and getting contact information from them
- Getting immediate medical treatment so it is clear the fall caused your injuries
It’s also vitally important to contact a slip and fall attorney right away. When you call us, we can begin to preserve any evidence you missed to build a solid case for your recovery.
Contact my Hollywood office to schedule a free slip and fall accident consultation
The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A. provides trustworthy representation for slip and fall accident cases throughout the Hollywood area. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, call me at 954-780-8505 or contact my office online. I am conveniently located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 211, between Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7.