Slip and fall accidents are referred to as "premises liability" cases and they are based on a property owner's duty to care for his/her property. Slip and fall accidents fall under the category of negligence law. A person who is injured in a Florida slip and fall accident must be able to prove that the property owner created the condition leading to the accident or that the property owner knew the dangerous condition existed or should have known that the danger existed and did nothing to remedy the hazardous situation. Proving when a dangerous condition first appeared can be quite difficult.
Conditions that Leads to a Bradenton or Sarasota Slip and Fall Accident:
Weather:
Proving that the weather was to blame for the slip and fall accident can be difficult. For instance, if a flash flood or a quick unexpected downpour caused a person to slip on a wet surface and fall, the property owner will probably not be held liable because he/she would not have been notified of the dangerous condition as it just occurred. If the dangerous condition had existed long enough for the property owner to be aware of it, that would be a different story.
Structural Defects:
Uneven steps, cracks in sidewalks, torn carpeting or uneven stairs can create dangerous situations that can lead to a slip and fall accident. Structural defects are often caused by age and wear and tear. However, if a building owner violates a statute regarding applicable building codes, a person who slips and falls on that property may have a valid claim.
Slip and Fall Accident Statistics:
According to the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), slips, trips, and falls cause the majority of industrial accidents. These falls cause about 15% of all accidental deaths. Only motor vehicle accidents cause more accidental deaths than slip and fall accidents.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI):
- 8 million people visit hospital emergency rooms every year due to injuries from slip and fall accidents.
- Every year, about one-third of people over the age of 65 will fall.
- Slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of worker's compensation claims.
- For working people, ages 15-24, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of work-related injuries.
- Flooring accidents (torn carpeting, uneven tiles, etc.) cause more than 2 million injuries every year.
- Half of all accidental deaths at home are caused by falls and these occur at ground level.
What to do After a Bradenton or Sarasota Slip and Fall Accident:
If you fall in a Bradenton or Sarasota business establishment and sustain injuries due to unsafe conditions through no fault of your own, there are several steps that you should take immediately. First, tell an employee or manager of the restaurant, store or business where the slip and fall accident occurred that you fell and inform them of the location of the fall. If there was a broken step or loose carpeting that you tripped over, let the manager know. Next, ask to file a report and in that report, note how and where you fell as well as the name of the person you spoke to regarding that fall. A good eyewitness can be extremely beneficial to your case. Following are some other steps to take in the event of a Bradenton or Sarasota slip and fall accident:
Take Pictures:
Take pictures of the area where you had your slip and fall accident. Pictures can help prove the conditions at the time of the accident.
Seek Medical Attention:
If you sustain injuries due to a Sarasota or Bradenton slip and fall accident, please seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or hospital. You may benefit from immediate treatment that will ensure a better prognosis in the future.
Take Notes:
Taking notes right after a Sarasota or Bradenton slip and fall accident may help your case. If a manager or property owner made a statement indicating that he/she knew about the hazardous conditions on their property, then there is a good chance that he/she will be held liable for paying damages in your case.
Bradenton and Sarasota Slip and Fall Accident Attorneys:
If you have sustained injuries in a Bradenton or Sarasota slip-and-fall accident, please contact the Michael L. Morgan Law Group, P.A. at (941) 218-8220. We work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no cost to you unless we recover on your behalf. Call us to schedule a free initial consultation.
