Wet and slippery floors are a major cause of falls. These can have devastating consequences, especially for older people. If you suffered such an accident and believe it was due to someone else’s carelessness, talk to a slip-and-fall injury lawyer. Acting quickly will help protect your rights and improve your chances of winning compensation.
Who’s Responsible for Your Injury?
People can slip on wet floors anywhere, including stores, restaurants, hotels, and apartment building lobbies. These incidents often involve accidental spills or leaks. Floors may also become slippery because of bad weather conditions, such as when visitors track in mud and water on a wet day.
The responsibility for slip-and-fall accidents usually lies with whoever should have kept the property clean and safe. This could be the property owner, a manager, or a cleaning service. You could even file a claim with a person’s homeowner’s insurance if you slip and fall on a wet floor in their home.
Proving Fault in a Slip-and-Fall Case
Claims after slips and falls on wet floors follow the legal concept of premises liability, which states that a property owner must keep their premises safe. Therefore, to seek compensation for your injuries, you must prove property owner negligence.
Your slip-and-fall injury lawyer would have to show that:
- The responsible party neglected their duty to keep floors clean and dry
- The wet floor caused your slip-and-fall accident
- The accident caused you tangible damages (i.e., medical expenses and lost wages)
Slip-and-fall cases often depend on proving a lack of routine cleaning or maintenance. For example, let’s say a bottle fell and spilled in a store, and nobody bothered to clean the puddle for a while. You didn’t notice the puddle and fell. In this case, you could argue that reasonable care may have prevented your accident.
What To Do If You Slip and Fall on a Wet Floor
If you fall because of wet or slippery floors, take these steps to protect your rights:
1. Notify the Owner or Manager
Let the property owner, manager, or supervisor know of your accident. Do this both verbally and in writing, and save all communication. Stay polite and non-confrontational, even if the person you talk to denies responsibility or blames you for the accident.
2. Gather Evidence
Preserve any evidence at the scene before the floor dries up. Take pictures and videos of relevant details, such as spills and puddles, your wet clothes, or the lack of a safety mat at the entrance on a rainy day. If anyone saw you fall, ask for their names and contact information.
3. Go for a Medical Checkup
Slips and falls may seem trivial but could end in fractures, head injuries, or nerve damage. Ensure you see a doctor within 24 hours for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Save all your medical records to prove a connection between the fall and your injuries.
4. Talk to a Lawyer
Consult a slip-and-fall accident lawyer as soon as you can. The lawyer will review your case, explain your options, and guide you through the next steps.
Call Warner & Fitzmartin, PLLC, for Legal Help With Your Slip-and-Fall Case
Are you facing hefty medical bills and a painful recovery after slipping on a wet floor? Contact us at Warner & Fitzmartin to talk to a slip-and-fall injury lawyer in Lake Worth, FL. We’ll let you know who’s likely responsible for compensating you and work hard to help you secure a settlement that covers your medical expenses, missed work days, and other losses.
Call (561) 803-0167 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.
Types of Slip-and-Fall Accident Cases We Handle
Slip-and-fall accidents can happen almost anywhere, from grocery stores to sidewalks and apartment complexes. While some falls may seem minor at first, they can lead to serious injuries that affect your ability to work and carry out daily activities. At Warner & Fitzmartin – Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent individuals in a wide range of slip-and-fall cases and focus on holding property owners accountable when unsafe conditions lead to harm. Call us today to discover how our Lake Worth, FL slip-and-fall accident lawyer can help!
Wet Or Slippery Floors
One of the most common causes of slip-and-fall accidents is a wet or slippery surface. Spills, recently mopped floors, or tracked-in water can create hazards if they are not addressed in a timely manner. Property owners and businesses are expected to take reasonable steps to fix or warn about these conditions. Our team brings over 20 years of experience, and we have helped clients recover millions in damages. Our case results include a $170K settlement for a client after a trip and fall that resulted in them needing a knee replacement.
Uneven Walkways And Flooring
Cracked sidewalks, loose tiles, and uneven flooring can create dangerous walking conditions. These hazards are often found in parking lots, building entrances, or older properties. Even a small height difference can cause someone to lose balance and fall. We examine the condition of the surface, how long the issue may have been present, and whether repairs were delayed. Photographs and inspection records can play an important role in these cases.
Poor Lighting Conditions
Inadequate lighting can make it difficult to see potential hazards, increasing the risk of a fall. This is especially common in stairwells, parking garages, and outdoor walkways at night. When lighting is not properly maintained, property owners may be held responsible for resulting injuries. We look into maintenance schedules, bulb replacement records, and other details to show whether the area was properly lit at the time of the incident. Our Lake Worth slip-and-fall acident lawyer will pursue the maximum compensation in and outside the courtroom.
Falls On Stairs And Handrail Issues
Stairways can become dangerous when handrails are loose, broken, or missing. Uneven steps or worn surfaces can also contribute to a fall. These accidents often result in more serious injuries due to the nature of the fall. We review building conditions, prior complaints, and maintenance history to determine whether the stairway meets basic safety standards. This helps establish whether the property owner failed to address a known issue.
Hazards In Commercial And Public Spaces
Slip-and-fall accidents frequently occur in places such as stores, restaurants, and public buildings. High foot traffic increases the likelihood of hazards forming, especially if staff do not regularly inspect the area. In these cases, we examine store policies, cleaning routines, and employee actions to understand how the hazard developed and whether it should have been corrected sooner.
Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to medical bills, lost income, and ongoing discomfort. We focus on presenting clear evidence that shows how the accident happened and how it has affected your life. Call us today at Warner & Fitzmartin – Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule your consultation to learn more about how we can help!