Wesley Chapel, FL Slip and Fall Lawyer

Lady employee got injured from slipping at the stairs.

A slip-and-fall accident is usually a complete surprise to the person it happens to. Yet it’s too often that the person in charge of the property knew all about the danger and did nothing to prevent an accident. By filing a claim with their insurance company, you can hold them responsible.

If you were hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in Wesley Chapel, Florida, you need the services of an experienced Wesley Chapel slip-and-fall lawyer to pursue the compensation you deserve. You need Zervos & Calta, PLLC, a law firm focusing exclusively on personal injury cases.

Partners Angela A. Zervos and Lauren Calta have more than 50 years of combined experience and a long track record of successfully pursuing maximum compensation for our clients. Let us put our know-how to work for you. Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC, today.

What Are the Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Wesley Chapel?

What makes slip-and-fall accidents so common and dangerous is the fact that they can happen almost anywhere. Slip-and-fall accidents can happen whenever there’s an uneven floor or a slippery surface. Such places include retail stores and supermarkets, restaurants and bars, workplaces, and public spaces such as parks and buildings. Even private homes have unsafe conditions.

Common causes of slip-and-fall accidents include:

  • Wet, greasy, or recently waxed floors
  • Poor lighting
  • Chipped or damaged floors
  • Torn carpet or bunched-up rugs
  • Staircases without rails
  • Broken or uneven stairs
  • Cluttered halls or corridors
  • Uneven sidewalks

Any time a property owner fails to do what is necessary to maintain the property and remedy unsafe walkways or staircases, there’s a risk of a slip-and-fall accident.

What Are Common Injuries from a Slip and Fall?

A slip-and-fall accident can cause any injury that an impact can cause, including:

Slip-and-fall accidents can be life-changing. Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries frequently cause intense and long-lasting pain and, in some cases, can cause mobility problems or even paralysis.

Soft tissue injuries can include torn tendons and ligaments, which may not be apparent immediately but can significantly affect your quality of life. Traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive problems, issues with memory, and issues such as depression.

Don’t try to shrug off the injuries from a slip-and-fall accident. They can have serious consequences, and the responsible party should be held liable.

Who Can Be Held at Fault for the Accident That Caused My Injuries?

If you were injured in a slip-and-fall accident inside a Florida business, who is at fault for the accident? That depends on who was responsible for maintaining the property. Generally speaking, the property owner is responsible, and that is who you would hold liable.

However, if the business owner was a tenant responsible for maintaining the property, the business owner would be liable. According to the Florida Supreme Court, the issue is not who holds the deed to the property but who is in actual possession or control of it.

If the party in control of the property did not act to protect visitors from a dangerous condition, then that party is at fault for the accident, and you can hold them liable for your injuries.

Sales agent fell from the client stairs.

What Is Needed to Prove the Property Owner Is to Blame?

There are two ways to prove a property owner is to blame for your injury under Florida’s premises liability law. The first is to demonstrate that they had knowledge of the hazard that caused the accident and that they did nothing to remedy it.

The second is to show that they had constructive knowledge, which means that even if the property owner didn’t know, they should have known. You can prove this by showing that the dangerous condition was in place for such a long time that they would have discovered it if they had exercised ordinary care over their place of business. You can also prove that the property owner should have known about a recurring condition, which would have been predictable.

An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer can handle the whole process of investigating the case, negotiating with the insurance company, and pursuing a lawsuit to trial if that becomes necessary.

What Types of Compensation Could I Receive for My Injuries?

Types of compensation you could receive for your injuries in a slip-and-fall accident include:

  • Medical expenses for diagnosis, treatment, medication, and rehabilitation
  • Lost income from time missed at work and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering from your injuries
  • Mental anguish due to the accident

Before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company, ask yourself whether the offer is enough to cover all the losses you have experienced or will ever experience due to your injuries.

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Wesley Chapel Slip and Fall Accident Claim?

The Florida statute of limitations designates two years as the period during which an injured person can file a lawsuit in a negligence case. The two-year countdown generally starts from the accident date, but in some cases, it may start later if you don’t know about an injury immediately.

Your best move is to contact a lawyer to find out the deadline that would apply to your situation. In addition, having an attorney means you can avoid any issues with the slip-and-fall lawsuit timeline, meaning you can preserve your right to seek compensation.

Contact a Wesley Chapel Slip and Fall Lawyer

If you’ve been hurt in a slip-and-fall accident in Wesley Chapel, Florida, don’t delay. Contact a slip-and-fall lawyer from Zervos & Calta, PLLC, so we can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. By filing a claim and demanding compensation for your injuries, you can put them on notice that you intend to sue them unless they make a reasonable settlement offer.

Our law firm has represented injured people in premises liability cases for decades. We have the skill and experience needed to take on the insurance companies and hold them accountable for their clients’ negligence. The insurance companies know that our tough-as-nails reputation is fully deserved, and that we will be satisfied with nothing less than full compensation for our clients.

Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation.