Tampa, FL Slip and Fall Attorney - Zervos & Calta, PLLC

A man injuries himself in slip and fall accident in Florida.

Owners of commercial, residential, and public properties have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. When hazards are present – such as torn carpeting or wet floors – passersby can be seriously injured in slip-and-fall accidents or what can also be called a “trip-and-fall.”

If you were recently injured in a slip-and-fall accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. That compensation can cover your ongoing medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and other expenses.

It’s essential to hire an experienced attorney when pursuing a slip-and-fall settlement. An attorney can fight for your rights and take aggressive legal action against the responsible parties. At the law firm of Zervos & Calta, PLLC, we’ve provided trusted legal counsel to injured people filing slip and fall claims throughout Florida for years.

During their careers, our Florida personal injury lawyers are known for:

Obtaining millions for clients and record-breaking compensation.
Having years of courtroom experience and results-driven strategies.
Our exclusive focus on personal injury cases.

If you were harmed through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t have to pay for your own medical bills and other expenses. Our Florida slip-and-fall attorneys are here to help.

To schedule a free case evaluation and consultation with a Florida slip and fall accident attorney, give us a call or fill out our online contact form. We have several offices throughout Florida. We serve Hernando County, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Spring Hill, and other areas in Florida.

What Do You Have to Prove in a Florida Slip-and-Fall Case?

If you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident, it’s not enough to simply prove who was at fault for your injury. The person, business owner or business that was at fault is known as the defendant. These elements must also be considered in a slip-and-fall case:

Duty – In legal terms, “duty” refers to the responsibility that you were owed by the defendant. For example, a department store has a duty to provide hazard-free facilities so that guests can safely walk through the store, or warnings, when necessary.
Standard of Care – Once the duty is identified, you need to establish the “standard of care” that the defendant should have exercised. This refers to the degree of caution that a reasonable person would use in a given situation, such as frequent inspections, immediate cleaning, or warnings, when appropriate.

Suppose you were walking through a department store and slipped on a slick floor. In this situation, the reasonable standard of care would have required the property owner to warn guests with a sign about the slick floor, including ongoing and continuous inspections to prevent it in the first place.

Damages – After proving that the standard of care was violated, you must show that the breach of care directly caused your injuries. This is referred to as “damages.” In addition to physical harm, damages may also include the financial harm you’ve suffered, such as medical bills or lost wages. If you slipped and fell due to a lack of signage, but you weren’t hurt, you will likely not be able to recover compensation.

While some of these elements of fault seem straightforward, proving negligence can be very complex in a slip-and-fall case. This is why it’s essential to hire a Florida slip-and-fall accident attorney.

Your attorney can hire expert witnesses to consult on complex issues of liability, the standard of care, and damages. Your attorney will also gather evidence to prove fault. That evidence can include witness statements, depositions, photos, videos, and the property owner’s maintenance policies and repair records.

How Can a Florida Slip-and-Fall Attorney Help You?

If you were wrongfully injured and are seeking a slip-and-fall settlement, don’t fight this legal battle alone. With an experienced slip-and-fall accident attorney by your side, you’ll have a much better chance of securing the compensation you deserve from your slip and fall accident claim.

At the law firm of Zervos & Calta, PLLC, our Florida slip-and-fall accident lawyer will:

Evaluate Your Case for Free – Are you still not sure whether to pursue a slip-and-fall settlement? We understand that filing a claim is a major decision. That is why we’ll evaluate your case for free. At your free consultation, one of our experienced attorneys will fully address your questions and concerns. This will give you all the information you need to make the best decision.
Determine Liability – We’ll fully investigate all sides of your accident, including who was responsible, what they should have done, and how their carelessness caused your injuries. Using this information, we can go after the responsible parties.
Hire Relevant Experts – Even if you were clearly injured, injuries alone aren’t enough to convince the court that the defendant was negligent. This is where an expert witness can help. Our law firm has access to top-notch experts who can strengthen your case. Our experts will even testify on your behalf if needed.
Document Your Injuries – When pursuing compensation after a slip-and-fall accident, it’s important to fully document your injuries. This includes obtaining your medical records, saving receipts and tracking lost income. This information will be compiled by our office so we can demand full and fair compensation.
Take the Case to Trial – While it’s best to reach a settlement without going to trial, insurance companies may refuse to budge on their low offers. We’re determined to recover the highest compensation available. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial. Our legal team has years of experience in the courtroom. We have recovered significant verdicts for people who were wrongfully injured that have helped them pay their medical bills, recover lost wages, and reclaim their lives.

For added peace of mind, no Tampa Bay slip and fall accident attorney at our law firm will charge you a dime unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

What is the Florida Slip-and-Fall Accident Statute of Limitations?

After a slip-and-fall accident, your first priority is to get medical treatment. But it’s important to also speak to an attorney as soon as possible. This is because of the pending “statute of limitations.” This legal term refers to the deadline you have for filing a lawsuit.

The specific deadline for your claim may vary, depending on where the accident took place. In most cases, the Florida slip-and-fall Statute of Limitations is two years from the date of the accident. After the two-year mark, Florida’s court system will not allow you to file suit. Exceptions are rarely made.

What if you were injured on a property owned by the state government, such as a courthouse or an administrative building? In this case, the deadline and the process for filing a claim are different.

When bringing slip-and-fall claims against the state government in Florida, you must notify the state agency involved within three years of the date of the accident. You must also notify Florida’s Department of Financial Services. You cannot file a lawsuit until the state has completed its 180-day investigation period unless the claim is formally denied before then.

What Should You Do After a Serious Fall in Florida?

After being involved in a slip-and-fall accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. But you should also keep in mind that your activities after an accident may affect your ability to recover compensation. It’s important to know how to protect your rights after suffering from a serious injury on someone else’s property.

Our Tampa Bay slip-and-fall accident attorneys have prepared these helpful tips:

Obtain Photographic Evidence – If you can, take pictures or videos of the scene of the accident. Photos and videos can be used later as evidence if you pursue compensation. Also, the property owner may try to repair defects before you file a claim. It’s best to take photos immediately before anything is altered.
Identify Witnesses – Did anyone see your slip and fall accident? Be sure to get their contact information and statements, if possible. Witness testimony can help prove who was at fault. If you file a lawsuit, your attorney might also take depositions of key witnesses to get their testimony under oath.
Don’t Admit Fault – Right after an accident, you may be pressured by the property owner to admit some extent of fault. Do not admit fault. Don’t sign anything that seems suspicious. Any document you sign might be used against you when you later decide to pursue compensation.

Remember that Florida is a “comparative negligence” state. That means you can be found partially responsible for your injuries. As a guest on someone’s property, you’re expected to exercise reasonable judgment and caution. If it’s later discovered that you didn’t exercise the minimum standard of judgment, then your compensation may be reduced.

Get Medical Attention – Getting timely medical treatment should be a top priority. The sooner you can see a doctor, the better chance you’ll have of avoiding the need for long-term care.
Contact an Attorney – After your accident, it’s critical to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. This is especially true if you intend on filing a claim, or if you later need to file a lawsuit. An experienced attorney will ensure that you meet each deadline related to your case.

If you’re ready to take legal action, our Florida slip-and-fall accident attorneys can evaluate your claim for free.

What Are Common Causes of Florida Slip-and-Fall Accidents?

The slip-and-fall cases we handle often involve:

Wet floors without proper signage
Spills or debris on the floor
Uneven surfaces
Slippery surfaces
Poorly lit areas
Cracks or holes in sidewalks or pavement
Loose flooring

Torn carpeting
Improperly built or improperly maintained stairways, decks, and balconies
Lack of handrails or poorly maintained handrails
Weather-related hazardous conditions
Structural defects

What Are Common Places Slip-and-Fall Accidents Occur in Florida?

Slip-and-fall accidents occur nearly anywhere, from government buildings to private properties. They most commonly occur at:

Restaurants
Parking lots
Grocery store
Commercial premises
Hotels
Swimming pool

Residential properties
Bars and nightclubs
Hospitals
Offices

What Is My Slip-and-Fall Accident Claim Worth?

Many people may think that slip and fall accidents are not that serious, but that is simply not true. It’s common for slip-and-fall victims to sustain serious injuries, such as broken bones. In addition to requiring costly medical care, these injuries may prevent you from returning to work.

The Florida legal system allows you to be compensated for all financial harm. That includes:

Costs for corrective surgeries and hospital fees
Ongoing and future medical costs related to your injuries
Rehabilitation and physical therapy
Braces, wheelchairs, splints, crutches, and other medical equipment you may need
Lost wages and future lost income

Slip-and-fall victims in Florida are also entitled to compensation for “non-economic damages.” That includes:

It’s important to know that Florida is a “comparative negligence” state, and this impacts how slip and fall accidents are treated. Comparative negligence means that both you and the defendant can share fault for the accident. If it’s discovered that you were partially responsible for the accident and injuries, then your compensation will be reduced accordingly.

Suppose you fell while walking down the stairs at a hotel and suffered serious injuries. A jury may find that the property owner was warned about the hazards weeks ago and failed to correct them.

However, the jury might also discover that you were reading the newspaper as you walked and that your inattention contributed to the accident. If the jury finds you 25% at fault and the defendant 75% at fault, you may only receive compensation for 75% of your damages.

Talk to a Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyer in Florida Now

Slip-and-fall accidents happen in an instant, and they can leave you with a lifetime of pain, lost earnings, emotional distress, and doctor’s bills. If you were injured through no fault of your own, you deserve to be compensated for the losses you’ve endured. Our Tampa Bay, FL slip-and-fall attorneys can help.

For years, our caring legal team has helped people just like you secure financial compensation. We’re not afraid to take aggressive legal action against negligent property owners or their insurers. With our help, you can receive financial support. That will allow you to focus on what’s important: recovering from your injuries.

To learn more, give us a call today and schedule a free consultation with the slip-and-fall injury lawyers of Zervos & Calta, PLLC in Tampa Bay, and other areas of Florida. We have several offices throughout the state, serving Hernando County, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Spring Hill, and other cities and towns. No matter where you are in Florida, we have a slip and fall attorney who can help with your case.

Tampa Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer