Slip, trip, and fall accidents account for about 1 million hospital visits every single year. These unfortunate incidents happen unexpectedly and can result in serious injuries that impact every aspect of your life, not to mention the added cost of treatment and medication. Fortunately, Florida law allows you to take legal action against liable parties and seek monetary compensation for your losses. On the downside, determining liability can be difficult.

Determining liability for Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida

Liability for a slip and fall accident within the state of Florida depends on the specific circumstances of the case. Generally, the current owners or occupiers of the property where the incident occurred may be held liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the slip on their property. Under Florida law, property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. They are also required to warn of any hazards or dangers that are not readily apparent to visitors. If a property owner or occupier fails to do this and someone gets injured as a result, they may be held liable for the injuries and damages sustained by the victim.

However, if the injured party was trespassing on the property before getting into an accident, then the owner of the property could be held responsible for the injuries. This notion also applies if the injured person was engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior at the time of the incident. Typically, anyone charged with the responsibility of taking care of the property and its occupants in any capacity may be held responsible for the accidents. This means that besides the property owner, you can also use the contractor and building manager for failing to fix a hazard or warning of its presence. If the incident occurs in the workplace, you can also sue your employer or supervisor for failing to take the necessary steps to fix a hazard or warn of its presence.

The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit in Florida

The legal deadline for filing a personal injury claim in Florida for a slip and fall incident is 4 years from the date when the incident occurred. If you do not file a claim within this time, you may be barred from seeking compensation for your injuries. You should also note that there are some exceptions to these certain limitations in Florida that may extend the time for filing an injury claim. For instance, if the injured party is a minor, these limitations may be extended until the minor reaches the age of 18.

The Bottom Line

Determining liability in a slip-and-fall incident in Florida depends on the specific circumstances of the incident and the parties involved. Typically, the person who is responsible for properly maintaining the property may be liable for the incident. However, due to the intricacies involved in such claims, you should hire an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer to help with your case. They will do everything in their power to make sure you are getting the justice you deserve. In a slip and fall accident, you may qualify for financial compensation.