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Palm Harbor Slip & Fall
When someone suffers a slip and fall accident, many unexpected expenses and losses can result. Falling accidents are one of the leading causes of injury claims across the country.
If a slip and fall accident happens on another person’s property in Florida, the victim may be owed compensation. Injured people have the right to file a legal claim for financial compensation following an act of negligence.
Property owners and landowners in Florida have a duty to maintain their premises and create reasonably safe conditions for visitors. The extent of their duty depends on the type of visitor on their property.
Following any type of falling accident or injury, seeking legal representation is critical. Speak with the Morgan & Morgan slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL, to determine who is liable in your case.
If you have sustained financial or personal losses from a falling accident in Florida, contact the team at Morgan and Morgan. Our slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL, will carefully review the available evidence in your case.
We will leverage our significant legal experience and resources to recover every dime you deserve. Victims of negligent property owners should not have to pay the costs associated with their accidents or injuries.
Our team is standing by to review the circumstances of your claim. Fill out our simple online contact form to arrange a free initial meeting with a Morgan & Morgan legal representative.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Slipping and falling is one of the most common causes of personal injuries. When a surface is slick or slippery, those walking may slide unexpectedly and lose their balance.
Often, these accidents involve a person’s feet sliding forward, which results in the victim falling backward. This type of fall makes certain injuries more likely. However, the extent of the injuries depends on the specific circumstances of the fall.
Falling accidents can result in numerous injuries. In addition to the hazards in the environment, the physical condition of the person who falls contributes to the severity of their injuries.
Whatever type of injury you have sustained, you should speak with slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL. The attorneys at Morgan and Morgan can handle slip and fall accident claims of all kinds.
Some typical injuries that can happen as a result of slip and fall accidents include:
Sprains and Strains
These injuries happen when the person’s ligaments, tendons, or muscles are damaged. Sprains and strains usually affect the joints of the slip and fall victim.
Common signs and symptoms of sprains and strains are:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Decreased range of motion in the joint
- Persistent pain around the affected area
Many minor soft tissue injuries can be effectively treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. However, more severe injuries may require physical therapy, medications, or surgical intervention.
Bruises and Contusions
Bruises, also known as contusions, occur when blood vessels below the skin are damaged. This type of injury causes bleeding under the skin.
These injuries result in discoloration of the skin. Often, the skin appears purple, blue, green, yellow, or black, depending on the stage of healing.
Bruises often occur because of an impact to the victim’s skin, such as from a slip and fall accident. When a bruise forms, the area will be tender to the touch and may become swollen.
As the bruise heals, the discoloration will change and fade over time. Healing time for bruises varies depending on the severity of the injury.
Most contusions heal within a few days, although some may take several weeks to disappear.
Broken Bones and Fractures
A broken bone injury is also known as a fracture. This common injury can occur from a slip and fall accident.
When someone sustains a broken bone, it means that the bone has been cracked or split into two or more pieces. The severity of a bone break will vary depending on several factors, including:
- The location of the fracture
- The number of pieces resulting from the impact
- Whether the broken bone protrudes through the victim’s skin
Some common fractures that occur in the aftermath of a slip and fall accident include:
- Broken wrists or hands
- Broken ankles and feet
- Broken hips
Bone breaks and fractures typically happen when the victim attempts to break their fall with their hands. These injuries can also happen when the person lands on their feet or ankles.
Broken bones can also occur in other parts of the body. Some of the other types of fractures that may result from falling accidents include broken arms, legs, spine, and skull.
Hip fractures are more common in elderly individuals. These falling accident victims are at risk of more severe and complex fractures as well. Hip fractures often require extensive medical care and treatment. In some instances, these injuries may be life-threatening or fatal.
Symptoms of a bone fracture include:
- Significant pain
- Loss of movement or function
- Swelling at the site of the break
Depending on the extent of the fracture, the victim may or may not be able to put weight on the broken limb. If you suspect a broken bone in the wake of a slip and fall, it is vital to seek medical attention.
Without adequate and proper treatment, fractures can lead to long-lasting medical complications. Possible resulting medical issues include chronic pain, arthritis, and even deformities.
Following appropriate treatment, healing a fracture can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The speed of the victim’s recovery will depend on the location and severity of the bone break. Physical rehabilitation may be needed to regain strength and recover range of motion.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Head and brain injuries are a serious concern in the aftermath of slip and fall accidents. This type of physical damage can range from mild concussions to more dangerous traumatic brain injuries.
A few of the most common signs and symptoms of a head or brain injury include:
- Blurred vision
- Persistent headaches
- Disorientation and confusion
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Vomiting and persistent nausea
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Issues related to cognition and memory
When you have suffered a head injury in a slip and fall accident, it is crucial to get medical attention immediately. Untreated head and brain injuries can lead to long-term physical and cognitive disorders.
No matter what type of slip and fall injury you have sustained, you may be owed compensation for the associated costs and losses. The Morgan & Morgan slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL, can help you determine the best course of action in your personal injury case.
Physical injuries are only one possible outcome of a slip and fall accident. It is also worth noting that falling accidents can also cause emotional trauma, fear of falling again, anxiety, panic disorder, and depression.
Examples of Damages in Florida Accident Claims
When a property owner’s negligence causes physical or emotional harm to another, the victim can pursue damages. The term “damages” refers to payments from the at-fault party to the victim of their negligent act or tort.
The most common damages in Florida accident and injury cases are compensatory. In other words, these payments are meant to compensate the injured person for measurable expenses incurred because of the at-fault party’s negligent behavior.
For instance, suppose that you slip and fall on a spilled liquid in a Florida restaurant. If there was no sign indicating a danger of falling, the property owner or operator may be required to compensate you for your losses.
The most common categories of compensatory payments in Florida tort claims are special and general damages.
Special Damages
This type of compensatory payment is meant to make up for the direct and indirect financial losses that happen because of an accident. Many slip and fall victims experience significant economic costs when recovering from their injuries.
Victims should not be made to pay the financial expenses of an accident caused by a negligent Florida property owner. Some typical examples of special damages in Florida tort claims are:
- Accrued medical debt and bills
- Travel needed for medical purposes
- Loss of earning potential over the long term
- Property damage resulting from the accident
- Expected costs of ongoing and future medical care
- Lost income and missed wages from an inability to work
The skyrocketing financial obligations resulting from a personal injury can feel overwhelming. For this reason, it is important to secure the services of slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL. The knowledgeable team at Morgan & Morgan will fight for every cent you deserve in special damages.
General Damages
While special damages can be easily calculated using receipts and bills, general damages cannot. Many of the worst consequences of a serious slip and fall injury do not take the form of monetary or measurable losses.
The emotional and personal costs of an injury tend to be significant. General damages are payments to compensate for the following types of intangible harm:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional damage and anguish
- Depression and anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of consortium or relationship, in cases of fatal injuries
It can be challenging to determine the value of the general damages in a personal injury claim. Because there are no quantitative records to use for calculation, insurance providers often attempt to downplay the general damages sought in these cases.
Do not let a greedy corporation fail to provide you with the compensation you deserve. Let the Morgan and Morgan slip and fall lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL, fight to recover maximum compensatory damages in your personal injury case.
Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
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How Dangerous Are Slip and Fall Accidents?
Slip and Fall accidents can be extremely serious, sometimes resulting in debilitating injuries or even death. Unfortunately, they are also fairly common. In Florida alone, there were 3,351 deaths from falls in 2019.
People 65 and older are particularly vulnerable to falls. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) reports that unintentional falls are a leading cause of death and injury for older adults, with elders accounting for 88% of deaths and 75% of injuries that occur from falls statewide.
What Can Cause a Slip and Fall?
The cause of many Slip and Fall accidents can be traced back to poorly maintained property, including the following conditions:
- Potholes
- Wet and slippery surfaces
- Lack of safety or warning signs
- Poor lighting
- Broken stairwells
- Defective balconies
- Cluttered pedestrian paths
- Violations of building codes
What Injuries Can Occur?
Unintentional falls can be severe and cause debilitating injuries. Some of the damages that can occur from Slip and Fall accidents include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Torn ligaments and tendons,
- Broken hips, pelvis, or other bones
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
What Will a Morgan & Morgan Attorney Do for Me?
Even if you know you need a lawyer, you may be unsure about what specific functions they will fulfill. Filing and pursuing a successful personal injury claim in the state of Florida is a complex maneuver.
Getting the money you need requires specialized legal knowledge and an understanding of the relevant laws and statutes. When you hire one of the Morgan and Morgan personal injury lawyers in Palm Harbor, they will oversee the following important legal tasks:
- Gathering evidence to bolster your claim
- Determining which state laws are relevant
- Calculating the damages you can hope to recover
- Determining which party or parties are legally liable
- Identifying and securing testimonies from eyewitnesses
- Negotiating with insurance agencies and the opposing party
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
When injury victims attempt to secure compensation on their own, they are often unsuccessful. With the help of our slip and fall attorneys in Palm Harbor, FL, you will have the highest likelihood of getting the money you need to move forward.
What Compensation Is Available?
Those who prove negligence on the part of property owners can win compensation to cover the damages caused by their accident, including:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity going forward
- Pain and suffering
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Injury Claims in Florida?
A statute of limitations is a law specifying how long victims have to file lawsuits in certain cases. You must file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations on your claim runs out.
Failing to file in time will likely result in the dismissal of your case and the loss of any potential compensation. Do not let this happen if you have been hurt in a slip and fall accident.
Most personal injury cases in Florida are subject to a four-year statute of limitations. This legal time limit begins on the date of the accident or injury in question.
While this may seem like a long time, it is critical to secure legal representation as soon as possible. A Morgan & Morgan attorney will ensure that you meet all the deadlines in your personal injury case.
Morgan & Morgan Slip and Fall Lawyers in Palm Harbor, FL
When you need a legal representative following a slip and fall accident, Morgan and Morgan is here to help. Our attorneys have recovered more than $20 billion in financial compensation for accident and injury victims.
Our compassionate team will happily offer you a no-cost legal case evaluation when you fill out the easy-to-use form on our website. Contact the skilled tort lawyers at Morgan & Morgan today.
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