5 Steps You Need To Follow if You Slip and Fall at the Appleton Museum of Art
Bill Allen | September 10, 2024 | Slip & Fall Accidents
Nearly everyone has, at some point, wiped out on a wet surface, a waxed floor, or a rumpled rug. If you’re lucky, you pick yourself up and go on with your day, injuring nothing more than your pride. Unfortunately, falls can be harmful or even deadly.
Along with car accidents and poisoning, falls are among the most common causes of unintentional injury and death. Since 2000, fatalities related to falls have increased annually, with well over 40,000 people dying from this preventable accident each year.
Many people survive, but plenty end up with injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations. Some suffer catastrophic conditions like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries that require extensive or even lifelong medical care.
When you plan a visit to the Appleton Museum of Art to view permanent collections of local and international art, see new rotating exhibits, or attend an event, the last thing you anticipate is a slip and fall accident. What should you do if one occurs?
1. Seek Medical Attention
The most important thing to do when you’re injured in a slip and fall incident is to seek immediate medical attention. Whether you’ve sprained your ankle, broken your arm, or suffered a spinal injury, you need a medical diagnosis and treatment to prevent further harm and ensure that your injuries are properly documented.
2. Document the Scene
It’s always a good idea to document the scene of an accident. Your knee-jerk reaction might be to take the blame for the incident, thinking you were simply clumsy, but such incidents could be due to the negligence of others. You need to make sure you collect evidence at the scene, just in case.
For example, you may have slipped on a wet surface that wasn’t properly marked as dangerous, or you may have tripped on an uneven surface that should have been leveled for safety. By taking photos or videos of the scene and gathering witness information and statements, you have the best chance of proving the accident wasn’t your fault. If you cannot collect this evidence, ask a companion or witness at the scene for help.
3. File a Report
Most businesses have a system in place for documenting accidents. Ask to speak with a manager or security personnel at the museum so you can file a formal report as soon as possible. Make sure to get a copy of this report for your records.
Again, you may need assistance from someone else at the scene if immediate medical attention is required. If there is no reporting system in place, request an email address where you can send your account of the incident as proof of reporting.
4. Understand the Statute of Limitations
Under Florida Statutes section 95.11(5)(a), any action founded on negligence entails a statute of limitations of two years. In other words, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. This statute applies whether you’re seeking economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages or a loved one has suffered a wrongful death in a slip and fall accident.
5. Work With an Experienced Attorney
A qualified and caring lawyer with experience in this type of accident can guide you through the process of negotiating a settlement or building a case in court and provide the peace of mind you need while you recover.
Remain Diligent When Visiting the Appleton Museum of Art
When you suffer a slip and fall accident in a public space or on commercial property due to the negligence of owners or staff, you shouldn’t have to pay the price for medical bills and lost wages. While it is important to be cautious of potential dangers, you may not be able to avoid slip and falls while at the Appleton Museum of Art.
If you are injured during a visit, consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Ocala Personal Injury Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
