Property owners have a responsibility to protect people on their property by maintaining safe conditions and eliminating dangers that are foreseeable. They also must also provide sufficient warning of any dangerous conditions like a cracked sidewalk or wet floor.

When property owners fail to do this and it results in a visitor to have an accident, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries and related expenses. This is referred to as  premises liability but is more frequently referred to as “slip and fall.”

Slip and Fall Attorney

If you have been injured due to the property owner’s negligence, contact an experienced Tampa premises liability attorney at the Capaz Law Firm. We will thoroughly investigate your case; determine who is responsible for your injury and work hard to get you the compensation you need to recover.

Common Issues in Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents can happen in private and public areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, elevators, stair wells, grocery stores, malls, and restaurants.

  • Common conditions that cause slip and fall accidents include:
  • Walkways that are broken, crumbling or cracked
  • Steps that are broken or loose
  • Unknown objects that present a tripping or slipping hazard on walkways
  • Carpeting that is torn, ripped, elevated or raised
  • Uneven pavement, curbs, sidewalks or floors
  • Wet or slippery floors with no warning or signs
  • Surfaces that are covered in algae
  • Poor lighting
  • Stairs with broken handrails
  • Balconies that are unsafe
  • Falling objects
  • Dangerous conditions that are not properly marked

Common slip and fall accident injuries include:

  • Bruises, cuts and abrasions
  • Broken and fractured bones
  • Hand or wrist fractures and sprains
  • Neck sprains and whiplash
  • Mid and low back herniations, bulges and sprains
  • Soft tissue injuries

What to Do After a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident

If you slip and fall, it is important to gather evidence for your case. Seek medical care, take pictures of the scene (even if you only have your cell phone), obtain contact information from witnesses, ask a manager at the store or business to complete an incident report and give you a copy, and contact an attorney.

Gathering evidence early on can significantly improve your chances for a successful claim as your attorney will need evidence to prove that one of these three things occurred:

  • The property owner created the unsafe condition that caused your accident
  • The property owner knew about the unsafe condition and did not repair or fix it
  • The unsafe condition was not easily seen or visible

To file your slip and fall or trip and fall claim, your lawyer will also need to determine who may be held responsible for the incident, what caused the accident, and why you were on the property—whether you were a licensee, invitee or trespasser. Your reason for being on the property affects the owner’s duty of care to you. Invitees are owed the highest level of care while trespassers are owed less.

If your attorney can prove that the property owner is responsible for your injuries, you have a right to hold them accountable. You may seek compensation or reimbursement for your medical expenses, wage losses, and pain and suffering. If your injury happens to cause a permanent disability, you may also be entitled to additional benefits. Discuss your specific case with your attorney to determine what you may be owed.

Contact a Tampa Premises Liability Attorney

If you or someone you know was injured while on another’s property and believe the property owner was negligent in looking out for your safety, contact the Capaz Law Firm. We are experienced and dedicated to helping slip and fall and trip and fall victims and will fight to get you the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Call (813) 440-2700 for your free consultation.