Representing Personal Injury Victims in Premises Liability Claims
Slip and fall accidents are among the leading causes of emergency room visits in America. While people may envision a car accident or assault when they think of serious injuries that require medical care, it only takes a simple fall to cause significant harm to a person. If you or a loved one have injuries suffered in such an incident, it’s important to understand your rights. You may be entitled to substantial compensation if a third party is liable for your injuries. A slip and fall accident lawyer in Hollywood, FL may be able to assist.
At The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A., our experienced attorneys handle personal injury claims on a daily basis. We’ve seen the serious injuries that can result from trip or slip and fall accidents. Anything from broken bones and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are possible. When a person suffers such harm, they can encounter significant medical bills, severe pain and suffering, property damage, lost wages, and a variety of other losses. Fortunately, you don’t have to handle the complexities of the law on your own. After seeking medical treatment, your first call should be to our law firm.
Contact us today for your free consultation with a Hollywood slip and fall attorney.
Are You Entitled to Personal Injury Compensation?
A slip and fall accident case is a premises liability claim. These are cases related to injuries suffered due to the negligence of a business or property owner. Successfully securing compensation can be a long road. Proving fault will require you to gather evidence, make a compelling victim argument, and show that you have a valid legal claim. So, how does one do this? An experienced slip and fall attorney in Hollywood can assist — and this starts by proving liability on the part of the defendant.
This requires establishing three elements:
- Duty of care: Your slip and fall lawyer will first need to show that the defendant had a duty of care. This means they had a responsibility to avoid acts that could cause harm to others. For instance, store and property owners are expected to maintain safe premises for those on their property.
- Violation of duty: To secure compensation, it’s necessary to show that the at-fault party violated a duty of care. Perhaps the property owner knew of a hazard and failed to fix it. Maybe a store owner left boxes in the middle of an aisle. These acts increase the risk of a slip and fall injury.
- Causation of harm: It’s not uncommon for duties of care to be violated. However, liability is established when such actions lead to harm. Perhaps someone suffered severe injuries that resulted in pain and suffering, lost wages, and expensive medical bills. These all qualify as harm.
When these three elements exist, it’s likely that liability exists as well. If you’ve been harmed, your ability to secure financial recovery depends on everything that happens from the accident scene on. For instance, filing an accident report will serve as crucial evidence later. Even if such accidents are serious and you don’t have time to fill out a report, though, you may still be able to seek compensation. A slip and fall accident lawyer in Hollywood, FL can make all the difference. Contact our law firm today.
What Are Leading Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents?
If you’ve suffered a fall accident, identifying the underlying cause is an integral aspect of your quest to pursue compensation. This knowledge can help identify the at-fault party — which may be someone you don’t expect. In fact, it’s often the case that there are many parties responsible for an accident. Proving liability on all of these parties can ensure you recover compensation that’s appropriate for the situation.
If you have a slip and fall claim, it’s likely related to one of the following:
- Wet or slippery flooring
- Uneven concrete surfaces
- Other uneven surfaces
- Weather conditions
- Lack of warning signs
- Inadequate lighting
- Cluttered walkways
- Improperly maintained stairs
- Defective equipment (e.g. elevators, escalators)
- Debris and clutter
- Any other dangerous condition
In slip and fall accidents and other personal injury cases, establishing the cause of an accident and who is responsible are critical components. In many cases, your only legal target will be the property or business owner. However, a slip and fall attorney in Hollywood, FL can review your case and help you understand your options. At The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, our legal team is prepared to help. Contact us for a free case evaluation, and we’ll help you understand how to move forward.
What Damages Can Slip and Fall Accident Victims Secure?
Slip and fall accident victims will typically be compensated via a settlement. This is how the majority of personal injury cases are resolved — regardless of whether the victim has legal representation. However, it will not always be possible to reach a settlement. Litigation may be necessary if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. If so, your personal injury attorney may be able to secure the following damages on your behalf:
Economic Damages
Most damages awarded in slip and fall claims are economic in nature. They reimburse victims for financial losses. This could include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other monetary losses.
Non-economic Damages
Non-economic damages in Hollywood slip and fall accident cases reimburse victims for non-monetary losses. Perhaps your neck injuries lead to years of pain and suffering, or maybe you suffered a loss of companionship after losing a loved one due to slip and fall injuries.
Punitive Damages
Slip and fall cases can also occasionally lead to punitive damages. Rather than offering financial compensation to reimburse a victim, these damages are meant to punish the liable party. Our injured clients sometimes secure these damages when the negligent party acted egregiously.
Contact a Slip and Fall Accidents Lawyer in Hollywood, FL Today
When you fall on someone else’s property, it’s common to feel embarrassed and potentially even blame yourself. However, it’s critical to remember that many of these injurious incidents are caused by negligent or wrongful acts on the part of property owners and other liable parties. No matter where your accident occurred, it doesn’t hurt to reach out for legal help. An attorney that handles slip and fall accident claims can help you understand your options, and in many cases, victims can secure a free consultation to discuss their injury case.
At The Law Offices of James Jean-Francois, P.A., we’ll handle your personal injury claim from beginning to end. We’ll investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident, interview witnesses, obtain police reports and other documentation, aggressively advocate for you during settlement negotiations, and even take on the insurance company and liable party in a court of law. Our job is to get maximum compensation for your sustained injuries while holding liable parties responsible for whatever dangerous condition led to your accident.
Contact us at (954) 516-1353 to schedule your free consultation. Our slip and fall accidents lawyer in Hollywood, FL is here to assist.