Slip and Fall Attorney in Ocala

Have you ever been walking along a sidewalk or walkway and taken a spill? Maybe a step was uneven or there was ice on the ground, or a root had broken through the concrete. If your accident was due to the negligence of others, it’s vital to determine who should be held responsible for your injuries.

For the owner of a private property to be legally responsible for the trip & fall accidents due to a crack or unevenness in the sidewalk they must have known about the dangerous surface but did nothing about it or reasonably should have known of the dangerous surface and failed to repair it.

Common sidewalk slip and fall accidents occur due to:

• An uneven or cracked surface
• A pothole in a sidewalk
• Obstructions, such as trash waiting to be cleared
• A spill that creates a slippery surface

If the trip takes place on a public sidewalk, figuring out the liable party becomes more complex. The location of the accident and the city’s laws may place the burden of sidewalk repairs on adjacent property owners, the local government, or may have it split between the two. Let the lawyers at Morgan & Morgan help determine the at-fault parties and ensure you are compensated properly for your injuries.

Every week, children who visit one of more than a dozen Target stores between Ocala and Orlando are treated to free cookies and fresh fruit. As a matter of fact, as the number two discount retailer in the United States, Target gives out 25,000-50,000 free snacks to children per week nationwide. Whether you leave your house and go to the Target on SW College Road to pick up your free cookies or if you frequently stop at the store at the Market Place at Seminole Towne Center to pick up groceries on your way home from work, it’s nearly impossible to drive around the area without passing a Target.

Target has nearly half a million employees in the United States and while they are all given handbooks to be taught the proper procedure to keep customers safe, sometimes mistakes are made. If an Ocala Target's employees create a situation that caused you to slip and fall or if they failed to rectify a hazard and did not repair it in a reasonable time, they may be liable to compensate you for your damages.

Slip & fall accidents in Target stores often result in high verdicts and settlements, including:

• Pennsylvania, $2,100,000 Verdict: Melissa Horton fell on a recently mopped floor that was left dangerously wet and soapy. While the Target employee did place a hazard sign, much of the moisture fell outside the marked area. Ms. Horton tore her hamstring from its socket and underwent surgery that required her to live in a body brace. A jury awarded Ms. Horton $2.1 million, $ 1.4 million for past noneconomic damages and $7000,000 for future noneconomic damages.
• Florida: $386,522 Verdict: A woman slipped and fell in a puddle of bleach at a Target in Deerfield Beach, Florida. She sustained a spinal cord injury in the accident and needed a discectomy. A jury awarded her $386,522 and finds Target 87% at fault, meaning she took home $336,274.
• Florida: $230,802 Verdict: A 48-year-old man slips on a liquid soap in a Target near St. Petersburg and tore a meniscus in both of his knees. The jury awarded the man $230,801.92. and found Target 90% responsible, so the injured party took home $207,721.73.

Prior verdicts do not guarantee future success so contact Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case consultation today.

Under Florida law, a person injured in a slip and fall accident must satisfy the following two elements to have a valid claim:

• The owner had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition or should have reasonably known through the use of due care that the dangerous condition existed.
• The injured victim was unaware of the dangerous condition.

To prove that a property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, your will present evidence that the dangerous condition had existed for such a long period of time that it should have been discovered by the owner of the property if he or she had exercised reasonable care in inspecting the premises.

• Belleview

• Dinnellon

• McIntosh

• Reddick

• Fort McCoy

• Ocklawaha

• Citra

• Orange Lake

• Salt Springs

• And all other surrounding Marion County communities.

An Ocala business or property owner may insist that a fall is your fault. However, they may simply try to avoid responsibility. If someone else caused your accident, they should pay for your damages and make you “whole” again. You could be entitled to comprehensive compensation.

While not all falls automatically qualify for damages, you could have a case when an Ocala property or business owner fails to fix or warn of a hazard. Such hazards can include but are not limited to:

• Wet and slippery floors
• Uneven surfaces
• Defective sidewalks
• Clutter on floors
• Broken or missing lights
• No warning signs in hazardous areas

The best way to discover whether you have a legal claim is to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Morgan & Morgan is here for you. Our Ocala slip and fall attorneys can assess your fall and explain your next best steps in a free case evaluation.

Grocery and retail stores in Ocala, such as Walmart, Target, Publix, and others, occasionally present dangerous conditions for shoppers. Wet floors, merchandise blocking aisles, and food spillages can cause severe slips and falls. Other premises where slips and falls may be common in Ocala include:

• Construction sites
• Hotels
• Workplaces
• Government buildings
• Restaurants
• Hospitals and medical centers
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities
• Schools
• Public parks
• Parking lots

The owners of grocery stores and other properties must ensure that visitors are reasonably safe when visiting their premises. Therefore, if you or a loved one got injured in Ocala, whether on public or private property, you may have a compensation claim and should speak to our slip and fall lawyers as soon as possible.

Morgan & Morgan’s lawyers are here to help victims of slips and falls get justice. We can investigate your accident and determine whether you have a compensation claim. If you qualify, we can move forward on your behalf and:

• Thoroughly investigate your case
• Assess your past, present, and future expected damages
• Prove the liability of the property owner or occupier
• Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company
• Represent your case powerfully at trial

When you work with us, we will handle your legal claim from start to finish, allowing you to focus on your life and recovery.

Protect your legal interests as soon as possible, and don’t wait to contact an attorney, as the time to file a personal injury claim in Florida is limited. Missing the deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation. Morgan & Morgan is here for you 24/7.

While some individuals may only suffer minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises, others could be permanently disabled and require around-the-clock care after a severe fall. Significant injuries in slips and falls can include:

Sprains, Strains, and Tears

Strains, sprains, tears, and other soft tissue injuries are rarely considered severe. However, damaging ligaments, muscles, and tendons can be excruciatingly painful and require long-term rehabilitation. Therefore, such injuries may keep victims away from family and work responsibilities for weeks or months and lead to steep medical bills.  

Broken Bones

In most cases, we automatically extend our arms and hands to cushion the impact of a fall. Therefore, commonly seen bone fractures in fall victims include those of the:

• Hands
• Arms
• Wrists
• Shoulders

However, victims may also experience fractures in the legs, ankles, knees, and hips. Severe and complex fractures can result in permanent loss of mobility and function, require ongoing physical therapy, and considerably impact a victim’s overall quality of life.  

Head Injuries

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), head injuries and fractures can be expected in some falls involving older adults. While a mild concussion of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may heal on its own, severe head and brain injuries can change an individual’s life forever and impact an entire family. A victim with significant head and brain injuries may never work again, require constant care, and incur astronomical medical expenses.

Spinal Cord Damage

Falls can cause debilitating back injuries, including herniated discs, fractures, and spinal cord injuries. While some back injuries can heal with time and rest, severe slips and falls can result in permanent disability and paralysis. An Ocala slip and fall attorney can help you recover compensation after suffering a severe injury.

When suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident, protecting your health and legal rights can be critical for your future. Here are your next best steps after getting hurt in Ocala:

Complete an Incident Report

Immediately after your fall, file a report with the responsible property owner or occupant, such as a grocery store manager. Most businesses have steps in place to file slip and fall accident reports. Ensure to ask for a copy of the report for your records.
 
If the property where your fall occurred does not have a system for recording accidents, you can draft such a document yourself. Ensure to include all the vital details, such as:

• Date and time of your fall
• Exact location
• Description of the hazard that caused you to slip or trip and fall
• Your injuries
• Details of eyewitnesses or employees that witnessed your fall

Why Filing a Report Is Crucial

A report is an official record of your accident and injury, which can be vital evidence for a compensation claim. Without such a document, recovering damages can be much more challenging.

See a Doctor Immediately

You probably went home to rest and recover if you did not receive medical attention at the accident site. You may feel fine or only a little sore in the hours after a fall. However, what if you discover days later that you sustained a severe back or head injury with a delayed onset? Don’t make the mistake of ignoring minor symptoms, as you could jeopardize your health and legal rights. When you fall on someone else’s property, get a comprehensive health check-up to diagnose, document, and treat any injuries.

Why Getting Medical Help Is Essential

Getting medical help as soon as possible can identify underlying injuries and, with immediate treatment, shorten your recovery time. However, seeing a doctor will also document your injuries in a medical report, which will be essential to prove your legal claim against the responsible property or business owner.

Gather Evidence to Prove Your Slip and Fall Claim

After your slip and fall:

1. Try to take as many cellphone pictures of the accident scene as possible or ask a friend or witness to take pictures.
2. Include photos of your injuries and any damaged property, such as clothing, a laptop, or other items damaged in the fall.
3. Ask witnesses and employees for their names and contact details, as you may rely on their statements later in court.

Why You Must Move Fast to Preserve Evidence

It is in the property owner or occupier’s best interest to let any evidence of your fall “disappear” as soon as possible. They may quickly remove or fix the hazard after your fall and claim you are lying. Therefore, taking pictures of the accident scene and gathering witnesses’ contact details may be critical for proving your legal case. A slip and fall lawyer can help to gather time-sensitive evidence.

Contact an Ocala Slip and Fall Attorney

One of your best steps after a slip and fall in Ocala can be contacting an experienced slip and fall lawyer for advice and help. A determined attorney can help you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life, especially if you suffered significant or life-changing injuries in a fall.

Your compensation will depend on your financial losses and the scope of your injuries. Generally, victims with severe slip and fall injuries, such as fractures or head injuries, may qualify for considerable settlements. An Ocala slip and fall attorney could help you recover the following economic and non-economic damages:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are intended to pay victims for any actual expenses they incurred as a result of their slip and fall, which can include:

• Medical bills and future healthcare expenses
• Income loss and future loss of wages
• Medical transportation costs
• Rehabilitation therapies
• Specialist appointments
• Home nurse visits
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate slip and fall victims for those losses that cannot be quantified by a set dollar amount or receipts, such as the physical pain or emotional distress they feel. Victims could qualify for damages such as:  

• Physical pain
• Mental anguish
• Inconvenience
• Permanent scarring
• Disability
• Reduced life enjoyment

Having a dedicated Ocala slip and fall attorney by your side can prevent you from getting shortchanged by an insurance company. We know that you need the full value of your claim to get your life back on track after a fall injury. Morgan & Morgan never settles for less, and neither should you.