Slip and Fall Lawyer in Bradenton

The National Safety Council reports that the second leading cause of unintentional death is falls. Slips, trips, and falls can cause severe injuries such as head and back injuries, facial lacerations and scarring, nerve damage, torn muscles, sprains, and more. These accidents often happen because the property owner or other third parties were negligent and allowed a dangerous condition to exist on the premises. They have a duty to fix it or warn of the hazard.

If you are injured due to the negligence of a property owner or manager, call Kogan & DiSalvo to see if you have a premises liability claim. Our dedicated team of slip and fall attorneys in Bradenton will fight for your right to recover compensation for your medical bills, wage loss, and other damages. Schedule a free consultation today.

Who Is at Fault for Bradenton Slip and Fall Accidents?

As noted, under Florida premises liability laws, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors by fixing unsafe conditions or posting warnings. When they fail to meet this obligation, people are at risk of serious injuries.

Our team will thoroughly investigate your accident to uncover the cause and identify liable parties. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall and trip and fall accidents in Bradenton include:

• Cracks and uneven pavement
• Spills on supermarket floors
• Electrical cords strung across hallways and aisles
• Inadequate lighting in stairwells and parking lots
• Slick entryways caused by rain
• Bunched up carpeting
• Faulty railings

In a slip and fall accident case, the at-fault party could be a homeowner, store owner, manager, or contractor responsible for building maintenance.

Common Injuries in a Slip and Fall

Slip-and-fall accidents are common in Bradenton and throughout Florida. In 2022, 62 people died from unintentional falls in Manatee County alone.

The most common injuries in a slip and fall include the following:

• Head injuries: Head injuries, such as a concussion after a fall, are often serious. Recovery can prove challenging, as victims can suffer memory loss, impaired cognition, insomnia, and headaches.
• Spinal cord injuries: Falls may cause the body to twist unnaturally, which can throw the spine out of alignment and result in herniated discs, lumbar strains, and other painful and debilitating conditions, including paralysis.
• Hand and wrist injuries: When people fall, they often use their hands and wrists to brace for the impact. The force of a fall can easily fracture these fragile bones. While a broken hand or wrist may seem like a minor injury, the victim’s hands or wrist may require immobilization, physical therapy, and, if the break is severe enough, surgery. Long-term effects can include permanent nerve damage, weakness, and loss of mobility and articulation.

Moreover, older adults are especially vulnerable to the effects of falling injuries. For example, a broken hip can lead to complications such as pneumonia, muscle atrophy (wasting of muscle tissue), and postoperative infection.

Compensation for a Slip and Fall Accident in Bradenton

If your premises liability case is successful, you may be eligible to recover the following economic damages:

• Lost wages: If you cannot work, you may be eligible to recover compensation for lost wages and future lost wages, depending upon the seriousness of your accident.
• Medical bills: A slip and fall lawyer in Bradenton can help you pursue compensation for all medical bills related to the care and treatment of your injury, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and travel costs to your appointments.
• Property damage: Did you break a laptop, cellphone, watch, or other valuable item in your fall? A successful legal claim will reimburse you for property damage.

You may also be eligible for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are more challenging to calculate but can significantly increase your total monetary settlement or award. Trust a skilled Bradenton personal injury attorney to build a compelling case that addresses both economic and non-economic damages.

What Can a Slip and Fall Lawyer Do?

An experienced slip and fall attorney in Bradenton can handle all aspects of your legal claim, from gathering evidence to deposing witnesses to negotiating with insurance companies for a fair and reasonable settlement that will cover your damages and losses now and in the future.

In the meantime, you can help your case by doing the following: 

• If possible, take photos of the accident scene, including the hazard that caused your fall and your injuries.
• Obtain medical treatment and follow your doctor’s orders. This is not only for your own well-being. A successful slip and fall case requires documented medical evidence of your injuries. Without this, proving the connection between your injuries and the other party’s actions becomes much more challenging because you have no credible sources to support your claim.
• Gather the contact information of potential witnesses.
• If you fall in a restaurant, building lobby, grocery store, or other commercial establishment, file an accident report.

The statute of limitations in Florida is generally two years. Delays can prove costly and could even result in losing your legal standing.

Consult with Your Attorney Before Signing Anything

Do not sign anything from the defendant’s insurance company before consulting with your lawyer. Insurance companies are often quick to offer a cash settlement, which typically will not cover the extent of your damages. Property owners and their insurance companies typically will not offer the maximum value of your claim—they often seek to minimize the seriousness of your injuries or deny the claim altogether.

An experienced Bradenton slip and fall injury attorney can analyze the details of your case to arrive at a fair dollar amount and handle negotiations with the insurance companies.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Kogan & DiSalvo

No matter how serious your injuries are or the complex legal issues involved in your claim, our team at Kogan & DiSalvo is prepared to protect your rights. We have a proven record of successfully handling slip and fall claims for people in Bradenton, across Manatee County, and throughout Florida. Contact us today to arrange a free initial consultation. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees.