Falls are the No.1 cause of emergency room visits and result in over 8 million visits a year. That’s a staggering number! Within those falls, slips and falls alone account for a major portion – over 1 million visits every year.
Anyone can take a tumble – on a wet floor, a cracked sidewalk, or uneven pavement. But when a slip and fall leads to injuries, it can turn your day upside down. The saddest part is that these slip and fall accidents are entirely preventable.
If you’re hurt in a slip/ trip and fall accident in Cooper City, you don’t have to face the recovery alone. Our experienced Cooper City slip and fall lawyers can help accident victims recover just compensation.
Cooper City, FL is a small town of just over 9,000 households in Broward County. Over 70% of the households in Cooper City consist of married couples, and the town was recently listed in Family Circle Magazine’s “Top Ten Towns for Families.” But even such a small, family-friendly community has its share of preventable accidents in public places and retail locations, such as its Embassy Lakes Shopping Center or Countryside Shops.
Slip and fall accidents are often preventable – the result of dangerous conditions that have been ignored or overlooked by a property owner (business, organization, or individual). When owner negligence is at fault for injuries suffered in a slip and fall incident, Florida law states that the owner is liable for damages. This is called a “premises liability” case, and victims can collect monetary compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, loss of wages during recuperation, and even loss of future wages if the injury results in permanent disability. In some cases, victims may also receive compensation for pain and suffering or even loss of companionship if a loved one is killed in a premises liability case.
To get the compensation you are entitled to after a slip and fall accident, you must be able to prove that hazardous conditions existed and that the owner was aware – or should have been aware – of the dangers, and failed to address the situation. There is a statute of limitations in Florida for accident victims to gather evidence and bring a claim against a property owner, so it is vitally important to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney to expedite the process and protect your legal rights.
Slip and falls can happen anywhere, and often, the injuries are quite minor, like a small bump. However, sometimes, slip and fall can lead to much more serious injuries.
Here are some of the most common culprits:
These are just a few of the things that can cause a slip and fall.
Remember, most slip and falls are preventable! If you see a hazard, let the property owner know so they can take care of it.
A slip and fall can happen in a flash, but the injuries can last much longer. Here’s a look at some of the most common ones:
Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Falls are a major reason why people hurt their backs, and necks, or even damage their spinal cords. This includes a herniated disc or fractured spine, which can cause pain, mobility issues, or even paralysis.
Back, neck, and spine injuries can be very serious. They may require extensive treatment, including long-term therapy and pain management.
Head, Skull, and Brain Injuries
A blow to the head during a fall can lead to anything from a concussion to a skull fracture. Brain injuries can affect a person’s cognitive abilities, memory, speech, and motor skills.
Depending on how severe the injury is, treatment may involve specialists, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy.
Broken Bones
When you feel yourself slipping, you instinctively brace yourself with your hands, legs, or hips. This can lead to fractures in these areas.
Older adults are more at risk of hip fracture, which can impact their mobility and independence.
Recovery from broken bones can involve casting, surgery, physical therapy, and long-term pain management.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Strains and sprains in muscles, ligaments, and tendons are common after a slip and fall accident. While they may seem minor, don’t neglect these injuries as they can lead to chronic pain and mobility issues.
Soft tissue injuries require treatment like rest, pain medication, and physical therapy, depending on how severe it is.
Cuts and Bruises
Cuts and bruises are the most visible injuries from a slip and fall. However, you shouldn’t dismiss them as trivial. Serious cuts might require stitches to prevent infection, and even seemingly harmless bruises could mean deeper injuries.
Regardless of how severe your injury is, it is important to seek medical attention after a slip and fall. A doctor can diagnose any underlying issues, document your injuries, and create a treatment plan. This record becomes evidence if you want to pursue legal action for your injuries.
Slips and falls can happen anywhere – at the mall, grocery store, or even a friend’s place. But what if your fall wasn’t your fault, and the property owner didn’t take care to keep things safe? That’s where premise liability comes in.
Property owners and managers have a responsibility to make sure their place is safe and free of hazards. If their negligence results in a slip and fall, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries.
If you sustain injuries in an apartment, though, things get a bit tricky. If you visit a friend and fall, they should check their lease to see who’s responsible for accidents. Usually, the property manager is only liable for things that happen in common areas like hallways or laundry rooms.
However, if you’re renting a furnished apartment, the owner may also be responsible for injuries inside. For example, they may be liable for faulty furniture that caused the fall.
Always remember: If there’s something that poses a risk in your apartment, let the landlord know right away so they can fix it.
The owner or manager needs to have known about the hazard and had a reasonable amount of time to fix it before your accident. For example, if a stairwell has poor lighting and the owner doesn’t fix it, they may be at fault if you fall. But if someone spills something on the floor and you slip seconds later, that’s a different story.
Do you think the cause of your slip and fall was someone else’s negligence? Don’t wait! Contact a Cooper City slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible after your injuries to discuss your options.
A slip and fall accident can lead to major injuries and unexpected costs. Someone needs to be responsible for your injuries. To find that out, we follow the concept of premise liability.
Premise liability mandates that property owners have a legal duty to keep their place safe for visitors. If they fail to do so and it results in an injury, they will be liable for damages.
Here’s what we need to prove to win your slip and fall case:
If you can prove all these elements, you can fight to get you compensation for your injuries.
Here’s the thing: The burden of proof is on you. This means you need to show the dangerous condition existed before you fell and the owner knew or should have known about it.
So how do you win?
If a Florida slip and fall accident led to your injury, contact Madalon Law today for a free consultation. Our Cooper City slip and fall lawyers help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
A slip and fall can leave you with unexpected medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress. If your accident happened because someone else was negligent, you deserve compensation for these losses. Here at Madalon Law, we’ll fight to give you your rights, including:
Remember, to recover any of these damages, we need to prove the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. They had a duty to keep their property safe, and failing to do so led to your accident.
An experienced Cooper City slip and fall lawyer can help find fault, calculate your damages, and maximize your recovery.
When should I file my slip and fall accident in Cooper City, FL?
Slip and falls can happen in a flash, but the clock starts ticking on your lawsuit right away. In Florida, you have two years from your accident to file a personal injury claim. Miss that deadline, and the court might throw your case out.
There can be exceptions to this two-year rule, so it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced slip and fall attorney in Florida can discuss your case and file your paperwork on time.
Remember, the sooner you take action, the better chance you have of getting the compensation you deserve.
How much will it cost me to file a slip and fall claim?
A slip and fall can leave you with major medical bills. The thought of legal fees on top of that might seem overwhelming. At Madalon Law, we want to make sure you recover your damages, regardless of your financial situation.
What can I expect if I win my slip and fall case?
Here’s what a slip and fall win means for you:
Remember: Winning doesn’t mean instant riches. It can take time to collect your compensation.
An experienced slip and fall attorney in Florida can guide you through the next steps and help you get fair compensation.
The Cooper City slip & fall accident attorneys at Madalon Law can help accident victims and their families. We have achieved exceptional results in difficult-to-prove slip and fall accident cases throughout the State of Florida for many years, through hard work, valuable resources, and determined advocacy for our clients. Our attorneys have achieved settlements or won court cases against owners of hotels, malls, restaurants, and nightclubs; big-box retailers; government agencies; and private property owners.
If you have been injured due to such hazards as slippery flooring, loose handrails, torn carpeting, unsecured signage, inadequate lighting, or any other dangerous condition resulting from owner negligence, contact the Cooper City slip & fall accident attorneys at Madalon Law to get the legal advice and assistance you need. We will gladly answer your questions, address your concerns and explain to you the options you may have in order to seek compensation for your injuries. If we take your case, you will be charged no fees unless we recover damages on your behalf. Contact us today for more information.
Most people are not aware of how the law works, the rights they have and the amount of compensation they can be entitled to after they have been injured in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence. The obstacles and confusion that follow an accident and an injury can seem overwhelming.
