Orlando Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
Given how common they are, a slip or trip and fall accident can occur anywhere, to anyone, at any time. While anyone involved in a slip or trip and fall accident may suffer serious injury, the likelihood of sustaining a serious, even fatal, injury in a slip or trip and fall accident increases with age. Often, a slip and fall or trip and fall accident could have been prevented. When that is the case, an injured victim may be entitled to compensation from an at-fault party.
The Orlando slip and fall accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher know how physically, emotionally, and financially devastating a slip or trip and fall accident can be for a victim and the victim’s family. If you or a family member have been injured in a slip or trip and fall accident, we can help you navigate the legal system so that you can focus on healing. Our Orlando slip and fall accident attorneys have the experience, dedication, and resources necessary to hold the at-fault party (or parties) accountable and recover the maximum compensation available for all your injuries.
What Is a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident?
A slip or trip and fall accident is just what it sounds like – an “accident” that occurs when someone slips or trips, causing them to fall. While we use the word “accident,” not all slip or trip and fall injuries are caused by clumsiness. On the contrary, many slip/trip and fall accidents could have been prevented. When that is the case, the party (or parties) that caused or contributed to the slip or trip and fall may be held legally liable for a victim’s injuries. Common scenarios that lead to a preventable slip or trip and fall accident include:
- Liquid spills. When liquid of any kind is spilled on the floor and not cleaned up in a timely manner, it creates a slip hazard.
- Water or ice on a walkway. An owner or occupier has a duty to remove excess water or ice from sidewalks, driveways, and other walkways within a reasonable time to reduce the risk of injury.
- Aisle obstructions. Boxes are often left in the aisles of grocery stores and other retail stores while the contents are being unloaded. These boxes, along with other objects, can create a tripping hazard.
- Uneven surfaces. Chips, cracks, and improperly poured cement can create an uneven walking surface which, in turn, can contribute to a trip and fall accident.
- Loose mats, rugs, or carpeting. Loose carpeting along with rugs and mats that are not properly secured can create a trip hazard.
- Loose or defective handrails or stairs. Visitors to an establishment should be able to rely on handrails to help steady them while using a stairway. Loose or improperly installed handrails do just the opposite – they increase the risk of falling.
- Exposed wiring or other trip hazards. Electrical extension cords, wiring that is not properly secured, and other objects on the floor can increase the likelihood of tripping.
- Code violations. Commercial establishments, such as retail stores, hotels, and restaurants, are required to comply with local, state, and federal building codes and safety standards. Failing to comply with applicable codes and standards can contribute to slip or trip and fall accidents. For example, poorly designed accessibility features, unsafe stairways and thresholds, or failure to inspect or maintain walkways can all increase the likelihood of a slip or trip and fall accident.
Slip or Trip and Fall Accidents – What You May Not Know
Unfortunately, people frequently associate the term “slip and fall accident” with minor injuries that do not warrant the pursuit of compensation by an injured victim. The truth, however, is that what you don’t know about slip and fall accidents could hurt you or a loved one. In fact, a slip or trip and fall accident can lead to extremely serious, even life-threatening, injuries. Consider, for example, the following:
- Falls are the leading cause of hospital emergency room visits with slip and fall injuries accounting for over one million (12 percent) of all fall-related visits, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI).
- Slip and fall injuries represent the primary cause of lost days from work.
- Women are more likely to be injured in a slip or trip and fall accident, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), floors and flooring materials contribute directly to more than two million fall injuries each year.
- One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Over three million older people are seen in an emergency room each year because of injuries sustained in a fall accident.
Who Is Legally Responsible for Injuries Sustained in a Slip or Trip and Fall Accident?
A property owner or occupier has a legal duty to keep the premises free from hazards that might injure a visitor to the property. When an owner/occupier fails to honor that duty, the law may consider it negligence and hold the owner/occupier financially liable for any ensuing injuries under the legal doctrine of premises liability. In a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, a property owner may be legally required to compensate an injured victim for the physical and emotional injuries suffered by the victim if the owner’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for an Orlando Slip and Fall Accident?
In a slip and fall premises liability lawsuit, a negligent party may be required to compensate an injured victim for both economic and non-economic damages, including things such as:
- Doctor and hospital expenses
- Rehabilitation and other care costs
- Lost income
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Mental anguish
If you are a surviving parent or child of someone who was fatally injured in an Orlando slip or trip and fall accident, you may also be entitled to compensation in a Florida wrongful death lawsuit.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in an Orlando slip or trip and fall accident, or a family member was fatally injured in one, the Orlando slip and fall accident attorneys at Bailey Fisher are committed to helping ensure that the negligent party (or parties) is held accountable. Let us put our experience, resources, and dedication to work for you to make sure you are fully and fairly compensated for all your injuries.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando slip and fall accident attorneys will evaluate your case for free. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.