Ocala Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in Ocala, FL, you may be entitled to compensation. Property owners have to take certain steps to keep guests like you safe. When they don’t, they can be financially accountable for the consequences.
Getting an experienced Ocala slip and fall accident lawyer to handle your legal claim can be the key to getting the maximum compensation award possible.
At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., our attorneys are ready to put our years of experience handling Ocala premises liability, Ocala workplace accidents, Ocala construction accidents, product liability, nursing home abuse, workers’ compensation, and more cases to work for you. To learn more about how we can help, schedule your free consultation today at (352) 351-3258 or contact us online.
How Can An Ocala Personal Injury Attorney Help With My Slip and Fall Case?
If you slipped and fell, there might be a good reason. Property owners are sometimes careless about maintaining their property. A negligent property owner who knew about the hazard and didn’t fix it can be held responsible. Business owners have a duty to inspect their property to keep you safe.
It can be hard to prove that something else caused the accident. In fact, the property owner will probably try to blame you for being clumsy. You don’t have to let them off the hook that easily. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Ocala at the Allen Law Firm, P.A. can help.
When you hire us to handle your case, our lawyers will:
- Gather and analyze all documents related to your injury, including accident reports, medical records, insurance information and more
- Identify the dangerous condition that caused your fall
- Investigate to get the evidence needed to back your claim, including witness testimony, video surveillance footage and more
- Defend your rights when the insurance company inevitably blames you for being clumsy
- Work with experts to assign a fair dollar value to your insurance claim so that you get what you deserve
- Advocate on your behalf every step of the way
At the Allen Law Firm, P.A., we work tirelessly to find out who was responsible for your accident so that we can get the most compensation possible in your case. We know how important your injury claim is for you and your family. Your financial security and independence might be on the line.
Our attorneys are uniquely positioned to help because we know how insurance companies operate. For many years, we worked on their side of the table. Now we’re here to level the playing field by helping accident victims get what’s rightfully theirs.
Your consultation is free–so there’s no risk in finding out what we can do for you. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident in Ocala, all you have to do is call our law offices to get started.
How Dangerous Are Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida?
According to the Florida Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for Florida residents.
Older Floridians are generally at the greatest risk for serious injury after a fall. A 2014 study found that the median cost of treating a non-fatal fall injury in Florida was $52,191.
However, for some Floridians, the costs are much more extensive. They might include:
- Fear of falling again
- Forced relocation into a nursing home
- Loss of independence
- Ongoing stress
- Reduced activity levels–which can actually increase the risk of a subsequent fall
CDC data shows that over 3 million older Americans are treated in emergency rooms for fall-related injuries each year. Over 800,000 are hospitalized. The CDC report also notes that over half of older Americans don’t tell their doctors after they’ve taken a fall.
Understanding Who is Liable for Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida
Most property owners have insurance coverage that kicks in if you’re hurt in a slip and fall accident. If you fall on the job, you might also be entitled to workers’ compensation.
The owner’s responsibilities generally depend on whether you were on the property for business or social purposes.
Slip and Fall Accidents on Business Property
Most slip and fall accidents happen when you’re simply going about your daily activities. If you’re grocery shopping, visiting a restaurant or shopping at the mall, you’re classified as an “invitee” for legal purposes. That means you were visiting the property so that the property owner could make a profit. You can hold the business owner liable if you can show:
- You were legally on the property (so that the owner owed you a duty of care)
- The owner either knew about the danger or had a reasonable amount of time to find out about it
- The owner didn’t fix the problem or place adequate warnings
- You were hurt because of the hazard
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills or lost wages
If you slipped and fell over a “transitory substance,” the rules are a little bit different. Say you slipped on a puddle of spilled juice in the grocery aisle. Florida law requires you to prove the owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the spill.
At first glance, that might seem like an uphill battle. That’s where an experienced lawyer can help. We can prove constructive knowledge existed by showing:
- The spill had been present for long enough that the owner reasonably should have known about it, or
- Spills happen so regularly in the business as to be foreseeable
Employees’ actions can also be attributed to their employer. If a store employee failed to monitor a grocery store for spills, for example, the employer/owner can be held responsible.
Private Homeowner Liability
Homeowners can also be responsible if they don’t protect their guests from unreasonable dangers. They’re only responsible for the hazards they know about. If you fall at a friend’s home, you might be able to hold them responsible if they failed to warn you about the danger.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Ocala
Snow and ice might be an incredibly rare sight in Ocala.
Nonetheless, central Florida residents are still exposed to substantial slip and fall accident risks.
Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Ocala include:
- Uneven flooring
- Potholes
- Broken stairs
- Missing or broken stairway railings
- Slick floors
- Inadequate lighting
- Obstacles in hallways or store aisles
- Loose or exposed wiring
- Spilled liquids
- Damaged or crumbling concrete walkways
Whether you fell on a slick supermarket floor or tripped over a broken stair in your own apartment complex, our personal injury attorneys can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
We’ll Work to Get Fair Compensation for Your Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
Slip and fall accident victims often suffer serious injuries. Many of those injuries could have been prevented by a simple warning sign or hazard tape. Our lawyers can help if your accident caused:
- Brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Hip fractures
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If your injuries were serious, you may be facing years of recovery and adjustment.
We’re here to get the money you need to make the recovery as easy as possible. To learn more about how the Allen Law Firm, P.A. can help, call our Ocala personal injury lawyers today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit?
In Florida, the statute of limitations was recently changed for most personal injury cases. The timeline is four years if the accident happened on or before 3/23/2023, and it is two years otherwise. There are exceptions in some cases as well. If you fell on government property, for instance, you only have six months to provide notice of your intent to sue a government agency.
If you’re ready to take action, don’t hesitate to create an attorney-client relationship. We’ll fight to make sure every responsible party is held liable for their fair share of the damages.
Can I Lose My Right to Damages if I Was Clumsy?
We’re all only human. Sometimes we trip and fall over things because we’re clumsy or not paying attention. Insurance companies try to capitalize on this knowledge to limit your right to compensation. That’s not always fair. In Florida, you don’t necessarily lose your right to compensation if you were partly to blame.
The modified comparative fault rule in Florida simply means your compensation award can be reduced to account for your share of the blame. However, you cannot recover any damages if you were 51% or more responsible for your accident.
Understanding Your Right to Fair Compensation After a Slip and Fall Accident
A fair compensation award should put you in the position you would have been in “but for” the slip and fall accident. Our Ocala slip and fall accident attorneys will work to get money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical bills
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitative care
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of your independence
- Damages for wrongful death
Once a respected attorney becomes involved, insurance companies often come around to the idea of negotiating fairly.
However, whether to accept or reject a settlement is always your decision. If you’re not happy, we won’t hesitate to take your case to court. We care about our clients and the outcome in your case–and we’re always in your corner.
Contact a Skilled Ocala Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Options Today
Were you or a loved one hurt in a slip, trip and fall accident in Ocala? Call an experienced Ocala slip and fall accident lawyer at the Allen Law Firm, P.A. to discuss your options for recovering fair compensation.
The consultation is 100% free for you–so you have everything to gain by learning more about your rights.
Our personal injury law firm in Ocala, FL also provides:
- Assault Injuries Attorneys in Ocala
- Aviation Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Brain Injury Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Burn Injury Lawyer in Ocala, FL
- Car Accident Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Child Injuries Attorney in Ocala, FL
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Premises Liability Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Product Liability Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Train Accidents Attorneys in Ocala
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Uber Accidents Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Workplace Accidents Attorney in Ocala
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Ocala, FL
Recent Ocala Slip & Fall Blog Posts
- Can I Sue if I Fall on a Sidewalk in Ocala, FL?
- What Are the Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries?
- Know Your Rights: When is a Property Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall Accident in Ocala, FL?
- I Slipped and Fell at Work – What Should I Do?
Highly Rated Physical Therapy Clinics in Ocala
- Sunmed Healing & Injury Center – 230 SW 3rd Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
- Ocala Rehabilitation Associates – 1536 E Silver Springs Blvd #6804, Ocala, FL 34470
- Mountain River Physical Therapy – IAP Institute – 1720 SE 16th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
- OFMC Wellness Center – 2135 SW 19th Avenue Rd, Ocala, FL 34471
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Additional Ocala Slip & Fall Resources
- Florida Health Older Adult Falls Prevention
- Slip and Fall Accidents Overview
- Slip & Fall Quick Facts
- Florida Deaths From Unintentional Falls
What Our Ocala Clients Are Saying About Us
Read more of our Google Reviews.
Ocala Slip and Fall Accident Infographic
Visit Our Ocala, FL Personal Injury Law Office
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
