Ocala Slip & Fall Lawyer
There is no escaping force of gravity. It is always pulling us down, and if it had a motive it would be eager to see us fall. All it takes for gravity to get the better of us is a broken step, a slippery floor, or a misplaced piece of merchandise. Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of injury, and, in fact, the leading cause of death for people 65 and older. One in three falls results in a serious injury for older people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In many cases, fall victims escape without any serious injuries other than that to their pride. However, millions end up in the emergency room with tens of thousands of dollars in damages. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident, the Ocala slip & fall lawyers of The Pendas Law Firm are here to help you with your case.
Unsafe Flooring, Stairways, Ramps, and Landings
Slippery flooring materials, ramps, landings, and stairs result in nearly 2.7 million emergency department-treated injuries per year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Other tripping hazards include debris, piled merchandise, wires, spilled products, puddles from rainwater, and poor lighting.
You Can Be Compensated For the Following
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages and earning capacity;
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress; and
- More.
For older adults, as well as younger adults or children, a slip and fall can result in an injury from which they never recover. If your loved one lost their life due to a business owner or property owner’s negligence, you may also be able to recover damages relating to loss of consortium and funeral and burial expenses in addition to the damages listed above.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Falls
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI);
- Fractured limb;
- Broken pelvis;
- Fractured wrist, elbow, hand, or fingers;
- Torn ligaments, including ACL and meniscus;
- Spinal cord or spinal column injury;
- Contusions;
- Lacerations;
- Fractured ankle;
- Fractured knee cap;
- Broken ribs;
- Whiplash;
- Facial injuries; and
- More.
Proving the Property Owner or Business Owner Had Real or Constructive Knowledge
As a plaintiff, you must prove that the property or business owner had actual or constructive knowledge that:
- A dangerous condition existed; and
- They had time to fix the dangerous condition and failed to do so.
What do all of these terms mean? Having actual knowledge about a slippery floor would be to walk by a puddle of rainwater that had been brought in to a coffee shop as customers entered. The store owner, manager, or employee saw the puddle and therefore had actual knowledge that a dangerous condition existed. Constructive knowledge would be to deduce that because it is currently raining outside, it is likely that a puddle is forming near the doorway. If such a puddle formed frequently when it rained out, it would be even more likely that the business owner had constructive knowledge about the puddle.
Reach Out to an Ocala Slip & Fall Attorney Today
If you were injured in a slip and fall, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. The negligent business owner or property owner should be held accountable for your damages, and the Ocala slip and fall lawyers of The Pendas Law Firm are here to help ensure that happens. Call 1-844-200-0000 to schedule a free consultation today.
