Slip and Fall Attorney in Tampa

We should not have to risk our health and well-being when visiting a restaurant, hotel, store, or another property. Business owners in Florida are legally required to keep visitors and patrons reasonably safe and ensure that their premises are free from dangerous conditions that could cause falls and injuries.

Unfortunately, not all business owners understand their duty of care toward visitors. Even worse, some property owners deliberately try to cut corners by neglecting employee training and urgent maintenance.

If you get hurt due to another’s mistake or carelessness, you do not have to stand for it and could pursue compensation for your injuries and expenses. Morgan & Morgan is here for you. Our dedicated slip and fall attorneys in Tampa, FL, want to help you get adequate compensation if you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in the city. Get in touch with our legal team today and determine, for free, whether you have a case.

Tampa Locations Where Slips and Falls Occur

While falls can potentially happen anywhere, slips and falls in Tampa can occur in the following businesses and properties:

Grocery and Department Stores

During peak times, such as holidays and sales events, grocery and department stores can be extremely busy and chaotic. When customers are trying to push their way through crowded aisles, spillages of produce or liquids can occur, causing slipping hazards for others. Moreover, staff stocking up on produce and other items may leave boxes, crates, and ladders behind, blocking aisles and cluttering walkways.

If grocery store employees fail to clean up slip and fall hazards promptly, and customers get hurt, the store could be liable for damages.

Restaurants

Food and drink spillages and wet restroom floors can be common in busy restaurants and bars. Patrons of restaurants, fast-food chains, and bars may suffer severe injuries when employees neglect to clean up spills of food and liquids promptly.

Hotels and Motels

Hotels, motels, and resorts in Tampa can be full of slipping and tripping hazards, such as:

• Slippery surfaces in pool areas
• Wet floors in reception areas and restrooms
• Bulging carpets in hallways
• Broken or missing lights in and outside the property
• Slippery floors due to leaking pipes in guest bathrooms

Parking Lots and Garages

Parking lots and parking garages are sometimes in disrepair with multiple tripping and slipping hazards, such as:

Lack of lighting at night
Cracks and potholes
Broken stairs
Missing handrails

Workplaces

Slips and falls are the third leading cause of workplace injuries, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Most Tampa employees qualify for workers’ comp and may not be able to file a lawsuit. However, employees could have a legal case, depending on who or what caused their falls and injuries.

A slip and fall attorney in Tampa, FL, can assess your workplace injury and help you receive what you deserve, whether with a workers’ comp claim or a personal injury lawsuit.

Common Reasons for Slips and Falls in Tampa

Property and business owners are responsible for keeping their premises in good repair and fixing any maintenance issues and hazards as soon as possible. Therefore, stores and other premises should be free of dangerous conditions that could trip patrons or cause them to slip on slick floors.

If a property owner or manager neglects their duties, slips and falls can occur due to numerous dangerous conditions, such as:  

• Varying floor levels
• Bulging or frayed carpets
• Unsecured mats and rugs
• Dark staircases without adequate lighting
• Missing handrails
• Food and drink spillages
• Wet and recently waxed floors
• Cracks and potholes in parking lots
• Floors cluttered by boxes, cables, and other items

Never assume that a slip and fall is your fault. Business and property owners may have ignored hazards, and you could be entitled to damages. Morgan & Morgan’s experienced slip and fall lawyers in Tampa, FL, can assess your claim, walk you through your options, and move forward with a compensation claim.

What Are Some Typical Fall Injuries?

Many of us have slipped or tripped and fallen without suffering any long-term health problems. However, a severe fall can significantly compromise an individual’s health and mobility. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that those aged 65 and over are particularly at risk of suffering severe and life-changing injuries from falls. Severe fall injuries can include:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI and other head and brain injuries commonly occur when the head suffers a heavy blow in a fall, either by hitting an object or the floor. According to the Mayo Clinic, a significant TBI can cause permanent brain damage, causing long-term consequences for sufferers who may never be able to return to their everyday life and require assistance with the daily tasks of living.

Broken Bones

While all individuals could break bones in severe falls, older adults are particularly at risk of suffering fractures of major bones, such as the pelvis. A major bone break can take months to heal and may cause loss of function and other impairments.

Spinal Cord Damage

Spinal cord injury can occur if there is major trauma to the back in a fall, for example, when an individual falls down stairs. Spinal injuries can include the following:

• Damaged nerves in the spine
• Fractured vertebrae
• Herniated discs
• Spinal cord severance

Spinal cord injuries can be severe and lead to loss of mobility, loss of sensation, and partial or complete paralysis.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries in falls commonly occur in the back and neck area. Strains, sprains, and even tears can occur in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While rarely serious, severe sprains and tears can be excruciatingly painful, cause individuals to miss weeks of work, and result in considerable wage loss.

Facial and Dental Injuries

Dental and facial injuries can be common when an individual cannot cushion their fall with arms and hands. Cuts to the face, chipped or broken teeth, and a broken nose can all occur in falls. Facial injuries can be painful and distressing and may require expensive dental and reconstructive surgery.

What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Tampa

In the first few moments after a fall, individuals may feel embarrassed and blame themselves, even if they tripped or slipped due to a hazard. Some may want to return home or to work immediately, not wanting to make “a fuss.” While this is understandable, you could jeopardize your health and potential compensation claim.

While still at the scene, try to identify what caused your fall and take pictures of the accident scene. Your next best steps should include the following:

• File an injury report with the business or property manager
• Gather names and contact details of witnesses
• See a doctor as soon as possible
• Collect evidence of your damages, such as receipts of healthcare costs and miscellaneous expenses
• Call a slip and fall lawyer in Tampa, FL, for advice and help

Seeking medical advice after a fall can be critical as you may suffer from an underlying injury. Following these simple steps can protect your health and legal rights.