Slip and fall accidents
recently Injured in a Slip & Fall?
A slip and fall injury can turn your life upside down in an instant — leaving you with medical bills, lost income, and unanswered questions.
Contact Elle Rudisill Law Firm today and speak with an attorney who will focus on your unique case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
What is a Slip and Fall Accident (Personal Injury)?
A slip and fall accident occurs when a person is injured after slipping, tripping, or falling because of a dangerous condition on someone else’s property. These cases are a common type of premises liability claim and may arise when a property owner or occupier fails to maintain reasonably safe conditions or warn visitors about known hazards.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents
Slip and fall accidents often result from hazardous property conditions, including:
- Wet or slippery floors
- Spilled liquids
- Uneven sidewalks or walkways
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Torn carpeting or loose flooring
- Poor lighting
- Ice, snow, or standing water (where applicable)
- Potholes in parking lots
- Cluttered walkways
- Loose mats or rugs
- Exposed electrical cords
- Failure to clean or inspect the premises
Common locations
Slip and fall accidents frequently occur at:
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Shopping centers
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Apartment complexes
- Office buildings
- Parking lots and garages
- Sidewalks
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Private residences
Common injuries
Victims may suffer:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hip fractures
- Broken wrists, arms, and legs
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Permanent disability
Who may be liable?
Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
- Property owners
- Business owners
- Commercial tenants
- Property management companies
- Homeowners
- Landlords
- Maintenance companies
- Government entities responsible for public property
What must be proven?
To recover compensation, an injured person generally must establish:
1. Causation and Damages — The hazardous condition caused the injuries and resulting losses.
2. Duty of Care — The property owner or occupier owed a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises.
3. Dangerous Condition — A hazardous condition existed on the property.
4. Knowledge — The owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition through reasonable inspection.
5. Failure to Act — The owner failed to repair the hazard or provide adequate warning.
Compensation available
An injured victim may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Rehabilitation costs
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (when applicable)
Evidence commonly used
Strong slip and fall claims often rely on:
- Photographs or videos of the hazard
- Surveillance camera footage
- Incident reports
- Witness statements
- Medical records
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Cleaning logs
- Prior complaints about the hazard
- Expert testimony when appropriate
Florida slip and fall claims
Florida premises liability law requires property owners to exercise reasonable care in maintaining their premises. In business establishments, an injured person generally must show that the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and should have corrected it or warned visitors.
Florida also follows a modified comparative negligence system. If the injured person is found partially responsible — for example, by ignoring an obvious hazard — their compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Because evidence such as surveillance footage and maintenance records may be lost or overwritten, it is important to preserve evidence as soon as possible after a fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a slip and fall accident?
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager.
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Photograph the hazardous condition before it is repaired, if possible.
- Obtain witness contact information.
- Keep the shoes and clothing worn during the accident.
- Request a copy of any incident report.
- Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with the property’s insurance company.
Can I sue if I slipped in a grocery store?
Possibly. If the store knew or should have known about a dangerous condition, such as a spill, and failed to clean it up or provide adequate warning, you may have a premises liability claim.
What if there was a warning sign?
A warning sign does not automatically eliminate liability. Whether it was visible, adequate, and reasonable under the circumstances depends on the facts of the case.
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We Put Your Recovery & Compensation First
Elle Rudisill Law Firm represents individuals and families who have been injured due to the negligence of others. Our practice focuses exclusively on personal injury law, allowing us to provide knowledgeable, strategic, and client-focused representation in matters including:
Each case is handled with personalized attention, a thorough investigation, and a results-driven approach to pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law.