Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer

Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, from grocery stores and shopping malls to restaurants, sidewalks, and private properties. If you have suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident due to the negligence of a property owner or manager in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you may have the right to seek compensation for your damages. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, our experienced team of slip and fall attorneys is dedicated to helping victims of such accidents understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve. We understand that slip and fall injuries can lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and we are here to fight for your rights and recovery.

If you recently sustained injuries in a slip, trip, or fall accident in Fort Lauderdale, someone may be responsible for paying your medical costs and other physical, personal, and financial losses. Chalik & Chalik Slip and Fall Lawyers can help you pursue damages.

We handle premises liability claims throughout Florida. We’ve won million-dollar settlements for our past clients with rigorous legal representation in and out of the courtroom. Our Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer and legal counsel wants to help you fight for justice against a negligent property owner or another party that caused your slip and fall.

A Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Attorney Can Help You Collect These Damages

A Fort Lauderdale slip and fall accident victim may have the right to pursue compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of all medical tests and procedures, deemed medically necessary in connection with an accident injury
• Lost income, which may cover a portion of lost wages and the loss of future income in connection with the injury
• Other accident-related expenses, such as transportation, home healthcare, and housekeeping
• Pain and suffering to account for the negative impact of the accident on a victim’s day-to-day life

Hiring a Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyer can help protect your right to compensation while you rest and recover from your injuries.

Wrongful Death Damages

If you lost a loved one due to a slip-and-fall accident in Fort Lauderdale, we can pursue compensation through a claim or a wrongful death lawsuit.

Potential damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Cremation expenses
• Loss of consortium if your loved one performed services around the household
• Loss of inheritance
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering before their passing
• Your loved one’s medical bills associated with their accident-related injuries

You deserve to grieve your loved one properly. We can calculate your damages and take care of the legal process.p

Benefits of Hiring a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer

When you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you deserve an attorney who will take your case seriously. Property owners and their insurers may attempt to minimize your claim and make you feel like you don’t have a case. 

Our attorneys can gather evidence of your injuries and fight for the compensation you deserve. Here are a few benefits of working with our team. 

Understanding Liability Requirements

To claim compensation, we must prove that the other person or entity involved in your accident is liable for your damages. The elements required to establish liability can change depending on the circumstances. Our attorneys handle a variety of personal injury cases, so we are familiar with premises liability laws. 

Accurately Valuing Your Damages

Assigning a value to your injuries and accident-related damages is challenging to say the least. Our attorneys have access to financial and economic specialists who can assist us in determining the future costs associated with your injuries.

Leading Negotiations with Insurance

The insurance company’s priority is to protect themselves and the insured. They may offer you the lowest settlement possible as quickly as possible or no settlement at all. By negotiating on your behalf, our attorneys can protect your rights and fight for a fair offer. 

If we cannot come to an agreement or the insurance company acts in bad faith, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. We may even suggest beginning with a lawsuit.

Our Results Speak for Themselves

When your physical and financial well-being is at stake, you want to feel confident throughout the legal process. We always strive for fair compensation for our clients, and some of our previous victories include:

• $400K settlement for slip and fall resulting in spinal injury
• $280K settlement for slip and fall requiring back surgery
• $100K settlement for slip and fall resulting in a fractured wrist
• $100K settlement for slip and fall at a gas station

Lawyer Fees and Costs for a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Case

We offer our services on a contingency fee. You won’t pay us anything out-of-pocket. Instead, we collect a small percentage of your award or settlement if we’re successful in your case. By doing so, we create a mutually beneficial relationship in which you’ll have peace of mind knowing we’re working in your best interest. 

Time Limits for Filing Your Slip and Fall Lawsuit

Prompt filing of your lawsuit is essential to claiming compensation. Per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), you generally only have two years following your accident to get your case started, and exceptions to this limitation are minimal. If you exceed this timeframe, the court can refuse to hear your case. 

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen in many different settings, from workplaces to public spaces. Understanding what causes these accidents can help us provide more substantial evidence to back your claim. 

Here are a few common causes of slip and fall accidents. 

1. Wet, icy, or uneven floors
2. Environmental conditions (debris, hidden cords, poor lighting, etc.) 
3. Unsafe ladders and stairs
4. Improper safety practices (lack of training, etc.)

The best way to get justice for slip and fall accidents is to prevent them in the first place. But when you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold them accountable.

Actions to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident to Help Your Case

A slip and fall accident can leave you or your loved ones injured and in need of medical care through no fault of your own. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, there are several steps you should take immediately after the incident.

Make sure you report it to the store manager, landlord, or any other person in charge of where the accident took place. You should also remember to document your accident, as it could help later if you take legal action. Also, note the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Be certain to seek medical attention immediately for your injuries, even if you feel they are not severe. Injuries from trip and fall accidents can range from minor scrapes and bumps to severe injuries, such as broken bones and head trauma.

Proving Negligence in a Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Slip and fall accidents are prosecuted as premises liability claims. This is because property and business owners are legally obligated to maintain reasonably safe premises. If this is not the case and you’re injured, you may have a premises liability claim. A slip and fall accident often is the result of an owner or property manager’s negligence.

Examples of negligence and liability include failing to:

• Perform routine maintenance, such as fixing a leaky pipe that drips onto a floor, which creates a slip hazard
• Install high-traction flooring
• Mop up or otherwise remove spilled liquids
• Warn the public of a slip and fall hazard

A Fort Lauderdale attorney with our firm can determine if negligence played a role in a slip and fall accident and identify all financially liable parties.

Potentially Liable Parties in Slip and Fall Accidents

The place where the accident occurs is important as it determines the damages that are available, the parties to sue, the liability rules, and the steps that you need to take to pursue a slip and fall accident claim.

The unique circumstances of the accident’s location can influence the outcome of a slip and fall case. A slip and fall lawyer from our firm can help identify the parties legally responsible for the hazardous condition.

Figuring out who is liable is not always easy or straightforward. Many factors must be examined to determine fault, including whether the party had control over the dangerous condition. If so, did they fail to fix it despite knowing about it? For example, store employees could have been careless in mopping up spilled liquids, causing you to slip and fall.

If your slip and fall accident happened at a business establishment because of something on the floor that should not have been there, a lawyer from our firm can help prove negligence played a role. A lawyer may need to investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, gather evidence, and use comparable cases to help prove your claim.

What Is a Transitory Foreign Substance in a Slip and Fall Case?

Florida premises liability trials, trial court orders, and appellate court decisions may all use the term “transitory foreign substance” when deciding slip and fall claims. In the Florida Statutes, this legal phrase refers to a “liquid or solid substance, item, or object located where it does not belong. A substance found where it is not supposed to be found.”

Examples of transitory foreign substances on floors include:

• Spilled food or beverages
• Broken eggs
• Oil or grease
• Floor wax or cleaner
• Clothing
• Melted ice
• Water

If your case involves you slipping or tripping on an object, liquid, or another substance that should not have been there, you will need to understand premises liability laws surrounding transitory foreign substances. A Fort Lauderdale property owner liability lawyer can help.

Constructive Knowledge

Florida slip and fall laws have a special provision regarding lawsuits over “transitory foreign substances” at business establishments. Florida Statutes §768.0755 states that if a person slips and falls on a transitory foreign substance on a commercial property, the victim must prove that the establishment had “actual or constructive knowledge” of the substance yet failed to take action to prevent accidents.

Constructive knowledge is something a plaintiff may prove through evidence such as:

1. The substance existed for so long that a reasonable business establishment would have known about the condition.
2. The hazard occurred regularly and was therefore foreseeable.

How do You Prove a Transitory Foreign Substance Existed?

Proving a transitory foreign substance existed and a business’s liability for injuries may require testimony from eyewitnesses. It can be a difficult burden of proof for a victim since they must not only show that the hazard existed but also that the store was negligent in preventing an accident.

An attorney can help an injured person prove that the item had either been there long enough or happened often enough to result in store liability.

The Attorneys at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can Review Your Case Today for Free

Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers advocate for victims of negligence. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a preventable accident in Fort Lauderdale, a negligent property owner may bear the blame.

We can explain your legal options and rights during a free consultation. We can also discuss how much your case may be worth. Call us today!

Wrongful Death Damages in a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Claim

If you lost a loved one due to a slip and fall accident in Fort Lauderdale, we can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.

Potential damages may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Cremation expenses
• Loss of consortium if your loved one performed services around the household
• Loss of inheritance
• Your loved one’s pain and suffering before their passing
• Your loved one’s medical bills associated with their accident-related injuries

You deserve to grieve your loved one properly. We can calculate your damages and take care of the legal process.

Proving Negligence in a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Claim

Slip and fall accidents in Fort Lauderdale are prosecuted as premises liability claims. This is because property and business owners are legally obligated to maintain reasonably safe premises. If this is not the case and you’re injured, you may have a premises liability claim. A slip/fall accident often is the result of an owner or property manager’s negligence.

Examples of negligence and liability include failing to:

• Perform routine maintenance, such as fixing a leaky pipe that drips onto a floor, which creates a slip hazard
• Install high-traction flooring
• Mop up or otherwise remove spilled liquids
• Warn the public of a slip and fall hazard

A Fort Lauderdale attorney with our firm can determine if negligence played a role in a slip and fall accident and identify all financially liable parties. As our legal system requires, our attorney will also help prove negligence by demonstrating the following four elements:

• The property owner owed you a duty of care to keep the premises free of any situation that would cause injury.
• The property owner breached the duty of care by having pre-existing knowledge of a dangerous situation but failed to take any or adequate action.
• The property owner’s negligent conduct caused your slip and fall.
• The slip and fall resulted in you suffering damages, for example, a broken leg or arm that led to medical bills and lost income due to time missed from work.

Our Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Law Firm Can Identify the Liable Party

The place where the accident occurs is important as it determines the damages available, the parties to sue, the liability rules, and the steps you need to take to pursue a slip and fall accident claim.

The unique circumstances of the accident’s location can influence the outcome of a slip and fall case. A Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyer from our firm can help identify the parties legally responsible for the hazardous condition.

Figuring out who is liable is not always easy or straightforward. Many factors need to be examined to determine fault, including whether the party had control over the dangerous condition. If so, did they fail to fix it despite knowing about it? For example, store employees could have been careless in mopping up spilled liquids, causing you to slip and fall.

If your slip and fall accident happened at a business establishment because of something on the floor that should not have been there, a lawyer from our firm can help prove negligence played a role. A lawyer may need to investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, gather evidence, and use comparable cases to help prove your claim.

What Is a Transitory Foreign Substance in a Slip/Fall Case?

Florida premises liability trials, trial court orders, and appellate court decisions may all use the term “transitory foreign substance” when deciding slip and fall claims. In the Florida Statutes, this legal phrase refers to a “liquid or solid substance, item, or object located where it does not belong. A substance found where it is not supposed to be found.”

Examples of transitory foreign substances on floors include:

• Spilled food or beverages
• Broken eggs
• Oil or grease
• Floor wax or cleaner
• Clothing
• Melted ice
• Water

If your case involves you slipping or tripping on an object, liquid, or another substance that should not have been there, you will need to understand the laws surrounding transitory foreign substances in Florida premises liability claims.

Constructive Knowledge

Florida slip and fall laws have a special provision regarding lawsuits over “transitory foreign substances” at business establishments. Florida Statutes § 768.0755 states that if a person slips and falls on a transitory foreign substance on a commercial property, the victim must prove the establishment had “actual or constructive knowledge” of the substance yet failed to take action to prevent accidents.

Constructive knowledge is something a plaintiff may prove through evidence such as:

1. The substance existed for so long that a reasonable business establishment would have known about the condition.
2. The hazard occurred regularly and was therefore foreseeable.

How do You Prove a Transitory Foreign Substance Existed?

Proving a transitory foreign substance existed and a business’s liability for injuries may require eyewitness testimony. It can be a difficult burden of proof for a victim since they must show the hazard existed and that the store was negligent in preventing an accident.

An attorney can help an injured person prove that the item had either been there long enough or happened often enough to result in store liability.

Actions to Take After a Slip and Fall Accident to Help Your Fort Lauderdale Case

A slip and fall accident can leave you or your loved ones injured and needing medical care through no fault of your own. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you should take several steps immediately after the incident.

Make sure you report it to the store manager, landlord, or any other person in charge of where the accident took place. You should also remember to document your accident, as it could help later if you take legal action. Also, note the names and contact information of any witnesses.

Be certain to seek medical attention immediately for your injuries, even if you feel they are not serious. Injuries from trip and fall accidents can range from minor scrapes and bumps to serious injuries, such as broken bones and head trauma.

After obtaining medical attention for your injuries, consider contacting a personal injury attorney with experience handling slip-and-fall accidents. We can begin investigating your case and documenting your damages before submitting a claim to the liable party’s insurer. 

You Must Submit a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accident Lawsuit Within the Deadline

Florida prescribes a specific time frame to begin legal action against those responsible for your injuries. You won’t be allowed to recover compensation if you do not file a claim or lawsuit within the time limit.

The statute of limitations for slip and fall accidents in Fort Lauderdale is generally two years from the accident date, as per Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). The time frame is shorter for those pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. In this case, surviving members have two years from the date of death to file a lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11 (4)(d).

Do not wait. If someone’s negligence has resulted in your or a loved one’s slip and fall accident, contact us immediately so we can begin collecting evidence and promptly submit all paperwork within the deadline.  

Common Causes for Slip and Fall Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Slip and fall accidents typically happen because of slick floors or wrongly placed objects. These accidents can occur anywhere – parking lots, grocery stores, malls, apartment complexes, playgrounds, etc. Some common causes of slip and fall cases in Fort Lauderdale include:

• Uneven or cracked floors
• Potholes
• Poor lighting
• Broken handrails
• Torn mats or carpets
• Broken stairs
• Wet or slippery surfaces
• Unsecured cords and wires

When a property owner becomes aware of a hazardous condition on their premises, they should attempt to rectify the situation or, at the very least, warn visitors about the dangerous condition. Not addressing the problem is negligence and can result in people getting hurt through slip and fall accidents.  

Common FAQs – Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Accidents

What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident in Fort Lauderdale?

After a slip and fall accident, the first priority is your health and safety. Seek medical attention for your injuries right away. If possible, document the scene of the accident, including taking photos of the hazardous condition that caused your fall. Report the incident to the property owner or manager and ask for a written report. Collect contact information from any witnesses. Once you are stable, consult with a slip and fall attorney to understand your legal rights and options.

How can I prove negligence in a slip and fall case?

To establish negligence in a slip and fall case, you and your attorney will need to demonstrate that the property owner or manager had a duty of care to keep the premises safe for visitors, they breached that duty, the breach caused the hazardous condition that led to your fall, and your injuries resulted from the fall. This often involves gathering evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness testimonies.

What damages can I recover in a slip and fall case?

If you have a successful slip and fall claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and property damage. In some cases, you may also be eligible for punitive damages if the property owner’s actions were particularly reckless or intentional.

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Fort Lauderdale?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including slip and fall cases, is generally four years from the date of the accident. However, it is crucial to consult with a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after the incident to preserve evidence and meet all legal deadlines.

Can I handle a slip and fall claim without an attorney?

While it is possible to handle a slip and fall claim on your own, it is not recommended. Slip and fall cases can be complex, and insurance companies may try to offer you a low settlement that does not adequately compensate you for your damages. An experienced slip and fall attorney can help navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair and just compensation for your injuries and losses.

The Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Attorneys at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers Can Review Your Case for Free

Slip and fall accidents come with unique challenges. It can be difficult to show the property owner knew about a hazard that resulted in your injuries. The property owner may also argue that your carelessness caused or contributed to the accident, which can reduce the compensation amount you could receive.

Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers advocate for victims of negligence. We understand the unique laws and circumstances surrounding slip and fall accidents and will use the experience in similar cases to bring favorable outcomes for your case. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a preventable accident in Fort Lauderdale, a negligent property owner may bear the blame. 

Contact us for a free case review with our Fort Lauderdale slip and fall attorney. During the meeting, we can discuss the potential of your case, and explain your legal options and rights. We can also discuss how much your case may be worth.