Slip And Fall Attorney in Sarasota

Falling is one of the most common causes of personal injuries across the country each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 800,000 people receive medical treatment for falling accident injuries in the U.S. annually.

When you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you will probably experience a wide range of losses. Victims usually sustain significant financial losses and personal harm. 

It can be challenging to recover from a falling accident in the state of Florida. Fortunately, the Morgan & Morgan slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL, have the skills and knowledge to help accident victims. 

If another person’s negligence was the reason for your injury, you may be owed significant compensation. Falling accident injury victims in Florida can pursue payments to make up for medical bills and lost wages. 

You should not pay for the costs arising because of another party’s negligent behavior. Speak with the knowledgeable legal experts at Morgan & Morgan to review your best options. 

For more than three decades, our attorneys have successfully recovered compensation for injury victims. Make sure to contact our slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL, if you have been hurt on another party’s property. 

Premises liability claims can be highly complex. With the help of a seasoned legal professional, you can build a powerful case to recover financially. 

To speak with our Florida attorneys, complete the online contact form on our website. Let Morgan and Morgan get the money you need to move forward.

Understanding Premises Liability Claims in Florida

According to Florida state law, the owner or operator of a property has certain duties to visitors. They are legally required to enact a reasonable level of care to prevent dangers and hazards for those visiting the premises. 

For instance, those who lease a commercial space must ensure that their store or restaurant is reasonably safe for consumers. Failing to fulfill this implied legal duty could result in a valid lawsuit against the property owner or operator.  

Under Florida law, there are three common categories of visitors on other people’s property. These categories are:  

• Invitees
• Licensees
• Trespassers 

Each category of visitor requires a different level of care from the property owner or operator. These categories of visitors are distinct in the following ways:

Invitees

Invitees are visitors to another’s property with the purpose of doing business. This type of visitor might also engage in some other activity that benefits both the owner and the invitee. 

Common examples of invitees include: 

• Customers at a store 
• Patrons at a restaurant
• Potential clients visiting an office 
• Contractors hired to perform work on a piece of property 

The owner of the property has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of invitees on their premises. Property owners may be held legally and financially liable for injuries sustained by these visitors if they fail to do so.  

However, property owners are not liable for injuries sustained by invitees if the visitor was aware of the hazard. When they are informed, invitees voluntarily assume the risk of injury on a property.

Licensees

Under Florida’s state laws, a licensee is a person who is permitted to enter or remain on another person’s property with the owner’s permission. However, licensees cannot be present for the purpose of conducting business. Also, they cannot engage in any other activity that benefits both the property owner and the licensee.  

Typical examples of visitors categorized as licensees include: 

• Social guests in a residential location
• Neighbors using a shared driveway
• Visitors engaged in recreation — such as hunting, fishing, or swimming
• Salespersons attempting to solicit business 

Property owners have a lesser duty of care to licensees than they do to invitees. Owners are only mandated to warn licensees of dangers on the premises that are not readily apparent.  

Property owners cannot be held accountable for injuries suffered by these visitors unless the following circumstances apply: 

• The owner was aware of the hazard 
• They failed to warn the licensee
• They failed to take reasonable steps to remove the hazard 

If you have been hurt on another person’s property while visiting for non-business purposes, do not wait. Reach out to the Morgan & Morgan slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL. 

Our team will determine who is legally responsible for the costs and losses resulting from your injury. Our slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL, have a thorough understanding of state property law. We will leverage our considerable experience to fight for maximum compensation in your falling accident case.

Trespassers

In the context of property law, trespassers are visitors who are present on another’s premises without consent. These visitors are uninvited and do not have a legal right to be on the property. 

But even though they are visiting without the property owner’s permission, they are entitled to some level of care. For instance, a significant hazard that is not clearly marked could create legal liability for the owner if a trespasser is injured.  

Regardless of the legal status of the visitor, the property owner has some minimal duty of care. Responsibilities of property owners toward trespassers may include: 

• Posting notice of dangers of which the owner is aware
• Maintaining reasonably safe premises
• Posting “no trespassing” or other warning signage
• Not actively creating hazardous conditions on the property 

It’s important to note that the categorization of a visitor as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser has significant legal consequences. If an injury occurs and the victim pursues a claim, their visitor categorization will be relevant in determining liability. 

Following an accident or injury, it is critical to consult with reliable slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL. The skilled team at Morgan and Morgan is ready to fight for every dime you are rightfully owed.

Common Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents

When you slip or trip and fall, you are at risk of a wide range of injuries. Personal injuries from these accidents run the gamut from minor inconveniences to life-altering tragedies. 

Some injuries from falling accidents occur more frequently than others. Examples of the most typical physical injuries resulting from slip and fall mishaps are:

Broken Bones

Broken and fractured bones are very common injuries following slip and falls. When someone’s feet slip out from under them, they tend to fall backward. 

It is natural for falling victims to attempt to brace themselves on the floor below. This can result in certain bones impacting the ground with significant force.  

Some of the most common broken or fractured bones in the wake of a slip and fall accident include: 

• Wrist bones
• Arm bones
• Leg bones
• Hip bones
• Tail bone 

Hip bones are particularly vulnerable. While older individuals are more susceptible to broken bones from falling accidents, they can happen to victims of any age. 

Those with bone-related medical conditions are also at a higher risk for bone breaks after a fall. If you have sustained a broken bone from a Florida falling accident, do not hesitate to contact Morgan and Morgan. Our team of slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL, is standing by to help you.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range widely in severity. However, all TBIs require immediate medical care.  

TBIs typically occur when the victim’s head collides with the ground after a fall. These injuries can be particularly catastrophic if the victim falls from a significant height. 

The mildest form of TBI is known as a concussion. These injuries sometimes heal within a few weeks when given proper rest and care. However, it is still important to speak with a medical care provider after a head injury. 

Moderate TBIs are more severe than concussions. Some of the common symptoms from these injuries include: 

• Persistent headache
• Cognitive deficiencies
• Changes in personality, mood, and behavior
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Dizziness and loss of balance 

Moderate TBIs are often treated with physical therapy, medications, and other modes of rehabilitation. In some instances, the victim may require hospitalization. 

Severe TBIs can result in significant and long-lasting damage to the victim’s brain tissue. They may also cause permanent disabilities.  

Severe TBIs can result in a loss of consciousness for an extended period of time and may also cause persistent indicators, including: 

• Headache
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue
• Unexplained changes in behavior and mood
• Difficulty sleeping 

Medical treatments for severe TBIs often include hospitalization. Victims may require medications to manage their symptoms. In some cases, surgery to remove or repair damaged brain tissue is needed. 

It is vital to seek medical care as soon as possible if you think you may have sustained a severe TBI. Early diagnosis and care can minimize the long-term consequences of damage to the brain.  

Speaking with accomplished slip and fall lawyers in Sarasota, FL, will give you the best chance of recovery following a traumatic brain injury.

Back and Spine Injuries

Depending on the position of the falling victim’s body, they may be likely to sustain a back injury. Landing in an awkward or unnatural position can put significant strain on the spinal column. 

When the tendons or ligaments in the victim’s back become strained, they may suffer significant pain and discomfort. Falling accident victims sometimes experience herniated vertebral discs.  

This type of injury happens when the discs between the vertebrae in the spine are damaged or ruptured. Herniated vertebral discs can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness near the injury. 

Slip and fall accidents can also cause injuries to the spinal cord. These soft tissues are the bundle of nerves that runs throughout the spine.  

The spinal cord carries electrical signals to and from the person’s brain. Spinal cord damage can result in partial or total paralysis and other serious complications.