Slip And Fall Attorney in West Tampa

If you are injured on another’s property and intend to file a lawsuit, there are three vital questions that must be answered and supported with specific evidence.

This information will indicate the strength and value of your claim:

• Prior to filing a claim, your lawyer must determine who may be liable for your injury, if anyone;
• The exact cause of your injury; and
• Whether you were considered an invitee, licensee, or trespasser on the premises.

In preparing your claim and answering these questions, your attorney may:

• Determine how you were on the premises and what your purpose for being there was.
• Investigate the scene of the accident or any Tampa police reports and photographs.
• Determine whether any former similar complaints or lawsuits had been filed against the owner or party connected with the premises.
• Consult experts who have experience and unique insight into liability.

• Interview witnesses, if applicable.

• Determine what steps, if any, were taken by the owner to decrease the chance of an accident occurring.

With this evidence, your attorney will build your case. Your claim will be the basis of your attorney’s argument during negotiations and litigation and can outline how the property owner was at-fault for the accident and is therefore responsible for your losses.

How this evidence is presented can affect the amount of compensation you recover.

Who Can I Sue?

There are a number of parties who may be liable for your injuries. These parties can include the owner of the property, employees, and third parties.

Please note that liability will depend on whether the individual from whom you are seeking damages owed you a “duty of care.” To determine who may be liable for your injuries, consult an attorney to review your case.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Injuries sustained on another’s property can be severe. This can be financially devastating for a victim and the victim’s family.

If the property owner or other party is responsible for your injuries, they may be responsible for providing compensation for the following:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering.

If you or someone you know was injured while on another’s property, and believe the property owner was negligent in ensuring your safety, you may be able to file a lawsuit and hold them accountable.

To discover more about how our West Tampa premises liability and slip and fall attorneys may be able to help, please fill out our free, no-risk case evaluation today.

Slips and trips can happen in many locations in West Tampa, including on private, public, and commercial properties, such as:

Apartment Complexes

Landlords should inspect common areas in apartment complexes as part of routine maintenance to ensure no hazards cause residents and visitors to get hurt in a slip and fall or other incidents. If you slipped and fell in a common area, the landlord may be liable for your damages.

Parking Garages and Parking Lots

Parking garages and lots can contain many dangers, such as missing steps and handrails, potholes, and a lack of lighting at night. The owners of parking lots in West Tampa are responsible for keeping the premises reasonably safe so customers do not suffer injuries in avoidable fall accidents. If you were injured in a parking lot or garage, our West Tampa slip and all lawyers could help you understand your rights.

Grocery Stores

Slip and fall cases can be common at grocery stores and may arise in the following situations:

• Wet surfaces from produce spraying or recently mopped floors
• Spillages of food and liquids
• Dips and uneven floors
• Clutter in walkways, such as boxes, food, and clothing
• Leaks from freezers and fridges

Resorts and Hotels

Hotels, motels, and resorts can be riddled with dangerous conditions that could lead to falls, such as wet and slippery floors in common areas or by pools, loose cables on the floor, fraying carpets, and many others. However, like other businesses and property owners, resorts and hotels are legally required to keep their guests safe. Therefore, you could have a compensation claim if you get hurt in a hotel or resort fall.

Restaurants and Bars

Bars and restaurants can have numerous slipping and tripping hazards, such as wet floors, food spillages, and clutter on stairs and restrooms. When you or a loved one ends up in the emergency room instead of enjoying a nice meal or a few drinks, you could be entitled to compensation from a restaurant owner.

Workplaces

The National Safety Council (NSC) says that falls are one of the primary causes of work injuries. Workers in specific industries, such as construction, transport, and warehousing, can have a higher risk of experiencing accidents such as slips and falls. However, falls can occur anywhere at work, including in stores, hotels, and offices.

If you suffered an injury at work in West Tampa, your first step is usually to file a workers’ compensation claim to receive medical and wage replacement benefits. However, some workers may qualify for a legal claim and could recover damages in addition to their workers’ compensation benefits, such as pain and anguish. A West Tampa slip and fall lawyer can advise you on your best next steps if you get hurt at work.

Other Common Slip and Fall Locations

You could potentially have a case anywhere you slip and fall due to a dangerous condition on another’s property in West Tampa, including but not limited to:

• Public swimming pools
• Government buildings
• Shopping malls
• Construction sites
• Public restrooms
• Gyms
• Sidewalks
• Public parks
• Hospitals and medical centers

If you believe you have a case, your best next step is to contact a Morgan & Morgan slip and fall attorney for help and advice. Don’t delay seeking legal advice, as the time to file a claim and pursue compensation in Florida is limited.

Often, injuries from slips and falls are minor and heal by themselves given time and rest. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in five falls causes severe injuries, particularly among older adults. Children can also be adversely affected. The CDC says that falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in children.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury, seek medical advice immediately, as many fall-related injuries may have a delayed onset. Some of the more serious and sometimes overlooked fall injuries can include:

• Concussions and other Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Neck, spine, and back injuries
• Contusions
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Facial injuries

Protecting your legal rights and health is vital when you experience injuries in a slip and fall on another’s property. The steps you take immediately after the fall could help a compensation claim later. Therefore, consider taking the following critical steps after a slip and fall in West Tampa:

• Seek medical help immediately
• Take pictures of the accident scene and the cause of your fall
• Ask the property or business owner to fill in an accident report
• Collect the names and contact details of witnesses  
• Retain evidence of accident-related expenses, such as receipts and medical bills  
• Promptly contact a West Tampa slip and fall attorney

Proving negligence in a slip and fall case can be challenging as you will have to show proof for the following elements of a personal injury claim:

• The property owner or lessee owed you a duty of care
• They knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take action
• You suffered an injury as a result of the property owner’s negligence
• You have tangible damages, such as medical bills, wage loss, or others

Morgan & Morgan has fought many slip and fall claims and recovered billions in compensation for injured victims. We can handle all aspects of your claim, including proving negligence, so you can focus on your recovery rather than fighting a legal case.

If a landlord or business owner caused your slip and fall, you could be entitled to various damages, depending on the specifics of your case. You could recover the following economic damages:

• Current and future medical expenses relating to the fall
• Rehabilitation
• Medical devices such as crutches
• Lost income
• Transportation costs
• A nurse to visit your home
• Modifications to your car and home
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses

This list is not exhaustive, and you could receive other economic damages, depending on your circumstances. Those who suffered severe fall injuries experienced damages in addition to financial losses, such as pain and suffering, and could receive non-economic damages, including awards for:  

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Permanent scarring
• Reduced life enjoyment
• Disability

Working with a determined and experienced West Tampa slip and fall lawyer can be crucial for receiving the settlement you deserve. Morgan & Morgan can determine the true value of your claim and negotiate powerfully with insurance companies, preventing you from leaving money on the table.

We have protected injured individuals and families since 1988, handling countless slip and fall claims. Morgan & Morgan knows the detrimental impacts a severe fall injury can have on a victim, potentially derailing their career, financial situation, and home life.

However, Morgan & Morgan is here for you in your most difficult times. With over 800 motivated lawyers nationwide, we are everywhere and could help you, too, recover what you deserve. Our West Tampa slip and fall lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal process, file a lawsuit, and fight for justice and compensation on your behalf.

One of the crucial steps to protect your rights is filing an accident report with the property owner or manager as soon as possible. If you fall in a restaurant, store, resort, or another business, ask an employee or supervisor for an accident report. If the property owner refuses or has no official accident report, you can put together your own document, including the following details:

• Your name and contact details
• The time, date, and location of your fall
• A detailed description of how and why your fall happened
• If possible, a photograph of the hazard causing your fall, such as bulging carpets or wet flooring
• Details of your injuries
• The names and contact details of witnesses who saw your fall

Retain a copy of the report and keep it with all the other important documents for your claim. An accident report can be vital evidence for your slip and fall claim.

Insurance adjusters often contact victims by phone after a claim is filed. It is important to note that this conversation has the potential to make or break your claim as the at-fault party’s insurer may try to trip you up with seemingly innocent questions, such as “how are you?” They may also ask for a recorded statement.

Since the opposing party’s insurer is mostly interested in proving you caused your own slip and fall, it is best to refuse the request for a recorded statement. You generally have no legal obligation to provide such a statement, and it can be in your best interests to decline and contact an attorney to protect your legal rights and handle all further communication with the insurance company.

Not all law firms are the same. While many personal injury attorneys work with a contingency fee, meaning you only pay the attorney when you win, others may charge hourly fees and retainers. However, we believe that all injured individuals deserve the best legal representation possible, as their health and future may depend on the outcome of their case.

While some attorneys working on contingency charge clients legal expenses upfront, such as court filing costs, deposition expenses, and others, Morgan & Morgan never asks you to pay anything out of your own pocket. You pay nothing when we handle your case, as we only get paid if and when we win and you recover damages.

In the first instance, we want to take the burden of dealing with a potentially complex and stressful claim or lawsuit off your shoulders so you can concentrate fully on your recovery. Our experienced attorneys and legal team members can help in various ways, including:

• Assisting you with receiving adequate medical assistance
• Gathering evidence to prove the negligence of the property owner
• Assess your damages and determine the worth of your claim
• Negotiate with the responsible insurance companies
• Fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve in court, if necessary

Our West Tampa slip and fall lawyers always fight for the best possible outcome of your case. We never settle for less because we know that our clients rely on a fair settlement to pay their bills and move forward with their lives after getting hurt.

If someone else is responsible for your fall, injuries, and expenses, going it alone can be an expensive mistake. We are here for you 24/7. Our West Tampa slip and fall attorneys are on standby and ready to help. Contact us now to find out more in a free, no-obligation case evaluation.