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Outcome of Slip-and-Fall Case Relies On Ability to Prove Injuries

In April of 2009, a 14-year-old boy allegedly slipped on a piece of chicken in a Tampa, Florida KFC and won $20,000 from the restaurant chain in a slip-and-fall lawsuit. In 2010, William Joseph Cohen sued the Renaissance Hotel Management Company for $770,121 for slipping on a wet wooden deck at the hotel’s pool. The jury deemed that the defendant was 50 percent responsible for the accident, and went on to award him $385,061. In July of 2014, Milena Krusteva sued Gaymart USA for $4,717,055 for slipping on a spilled drink on a dance floor in a nightclub.

Slip-and-fall lawsuits are difficult to win, as any defendants have trouble proving that their personal injuries were, in fact, sustained from the accident. However, positive outcomes do occur, as evident by the three cases mentioned above. If you were involved in a slip-and-fall accident, and if you sustained serious injuries as a result, you may have a lawsuit on your hands. The personal injury lawyers at the Pendas Law Firm can help you determine whether or not you have a case, and if you do, how to go about winning the compensation you need to recover and get on with your life.

How to Win a Slip-and-Fall Case in Florida

In order to win a slip-and-fall lawsuit, you must prove two things:

  1. That the establishment you are suing was both negligible and liable; and
  2. That you were in no way at fault for the accident yourself.

In order to prove negligence and liability, you need to prove that the property owner failed to act as a reasonably prudent person would have regarding the circumstances that led up to your accident. In order to prove this, the judge will need to know at least one or more answers to the following:

  • Did the hazardous condition exist for a long enough period of time that any sensible individual could have and should have taken action to eliminate the hazard?
  • Were there protocols in place meant to prevent such hazards from occurring?
  • Was there a reasonable excuse for the hazard to be present at the time of the fall?
  • Was there a way that the hazard could have been made less dangerous, such as relocating the hazard, placing adequate warnings throughout the area, or blocking access to the hazardous site entirely?
  • Was the hazard rendered invisible due to poor lighting or other obstruction?

If you can prove that the answer to one or more of the above questions is in the affirmative, you have a strong basis for a slip-and-fall lawsuit.

However, you must further prove that you were not at fault in anyway. In many states – Florida included – there is a concept of law called comparative negligence. If the plaintiff can prove that you were in anyway responsible for your accident, you may only receive part of your desired claim. If the plaintiff can prove that you were entirely at fault for your accident, you may receive none of the desired claim. The amount your award will be reduced is relative to the percentage of your share of liability. In order to determine whether or not you were at fault in anyway, the courts will look at the following:

  • Whether or not you engaged in an activity that would have prevented any reasonable persons from noticing the accident;
  • Whether or not the plaintiff had access to the area in which the accident occurred; and
  • Whether or not there was adequate signage warning of the hazard that the plaintiff ignored.

If the defense can prove any of the above three, your chances of winning an injury claim become unlikely.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

The personal injury lawyers at the Pendas Law Firm have extensive experience with slip-and-fall lawsuits, and can guide you through the entire process to achieve the best possible outcome. If you sustained injuries from an accident at a Florida business establishment, contact our law offices at 1-844-200-0000, or online today. Our firm serves clients throughout Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale & Miami.

Read What Others Have To Say About Us

  • I can't express how much I appreciate this law firm. I had the honor to deal with attorney Daniel. He kept me updated on my case. I couldn't ask for a better law firm...

    — Terry Mcphillips
  • Speedy & superb handling of clients & cases, kind & caring. Highly recommended professionals. They made everything very easy for us, were outgoing & polite. I would call them again if ever in need, rather than call the larger firms that need to advertise & brag about winnings...

    — Joseph Kestell
  • Wow I called Pendas Law Firm the other day at their main intake line it was around 11 o’clock at night and I’ve got this wonderful representative his name was Jeffrey Alvarez. This guy was very professional and his compassion was out of this world..

    — Luis Sanchez
  • Thank you for helping us in our time of need. This firm handled my father’s workers comp case, and helped us with every question we had, and we had a plenty. Thankful for the entire legal team!

    — Enilno Resu
  • I just concluded a case with attorney Michael Sanchez and paralegal Camilo Lopez. I can only say they are exceptional. The customer service is unique, they have been battling alongside me since day 1. They are not only courteous and professional, but they also are amazing at their job...

    — Israel Garcia
  • Their attorneys are absolutely someone you want handling your car accident claim. They communicated with us promptly and thoroughly. I was very happy with our recovery. Already recommended them to others in the same circumstances, their staff speaks Spanish and you feel like in family.

    — Ian Brito
  • Very Professional law firm. They explained to you every detail what to do according to the laws (worker's compensation). Mr. Danilo Cruz is the best Lawyer and his team. They are very kind, friendly, responsible, I love this firm. They fight for their clients. AwesomeTeam!

    — Lau Rod
  • I am very proud and happy that my case was closed, and definitely won! Lizette Gonzalez was my case manager and I definitely recommend this P.A.! Honestly, no other lawyer even tried to fight my case at all, I was turned down by most of those who I called...

    — KingArroyoVEVO
  • Great lawyers who speak Spanish and English. Danny Cruz and Lizette Gonzalez helped with my case and put my parents worries at ease. They got my case over and done with within a year and helped get all my bills paid.

    — Caroline Matute
  • This was a positive, informative and pleasant experience concerning an unpleasant situation. Everyone I spoke to was very professional and compassionate. I always felt to be in the best and most capable hands. the Pendas Law Firm lives up to its reputation!

    — Jean Villarreal
  • Pendas Law did an awesome job working my claim against my homeowners insurance. They had refused to pay for the wind damage to the roof. Larry with Pendas Law Firm was assigned to my case and immediately started working on it. I could not be happier. Will definitely use Pendas Law in the future if needed.

    — John Hibbert
  • I'm thankful to have chosen them , very responsible and communicative , Went in the office with my family and the environment was great ,Sahily walked me through the process professionally, I got a good settlement faster than I expected, would totally recommend.

    — Juan Fernandez
  • I'm very happy with this firm... Joel is an excellent attorney and Carolyn is an amazing paralegal, After been ditched from another law firm, Pendas took care of me and they won my case. I recommend them 100%...

    — MARIA PASTOR
  • This law firm is amazing. I love how they always try to stay/keep in contact with you. It shows that they really care and want everything taken care of correctly, Thank You!...

    — SHANTELLE BLACKWELL
  • I'm very thankful for all the attention of all the Pendas staff that took care of my case and helped me through the process, thanks for your patience, collaboration and comprehension!...

    — CARLOS GUADALUPE
  • The Pendas Law Firm was amazing! They are very kind, professional, and hard-working! They always kept me informed. Larry Trias was great to work with! I always recommend Pendas to family and friends. Thank you for helping me with my case!

    — HEATHER PEPPER
  • Their attorneys are absolutely someone you want handling your car accident claim. They communicated with us promptly and thoroughly. I was very happy with our recovery. Their staff speaks Spanish and you feel like family.

    — IAN BRITO
  • I would definitely recommend this firm. The staff really helps you and they actually show you that they care, especially Siomara Roldan. She has been a great help for my family and myself, she is always helpful with any questions.

    — WILMER D SANTANA RODRIGUEZ
  • Pendas is the best! The paralegals are very attentive to your case, knowledgeable, and communicative! The attorney also won’t just be there the day of your sign up, but all throughout the process as needed. I truly recommend Pendas!

    — MCKENZIE CZABAJ
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