Joe Osborne & Greg Francis, Personal Injury Lawyers & Founders of Osborne & Francis

Boca Raton Slip and Fall Attorneys

Slipping and falling is one of the most common accidents that can occur. But despite the simplicity of these accidents, they can have potentially life-altering consequences. Lasting injuries, loss of ability to work, and even death could occur due to a simple fall. These accidents are sometimes unavoidable, but in many cases, they occur due to negligence. 

Property owners are responsible for ensuring that their property is safe for visitors to enter and move throughout. Failure to maintain a safe environment is often the fault of the property owner, and when people are injured, they are owed compensation for this negligence. 

If you’ve sustained an injury due to a fall, don’t delay. Osborne and Francis want to get you the compensation you deserve. You can schedule a free case evaluation by calling us at 561-293-2600 or contacting our Boca Raton office online.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

How Common are Slips and Falls in Boca Raton and Across Florida?

Slip and fall cases are, unfortunately, far too common in Florida. The Florida Department of Health reported that in 2019, unintentional injury was one of the leading causes of death. This risk is particularly deadly for those aged 65 and older, with falls accounting for 67% of unintentional injury deaths. Overall, unintentional injury deaths are almost 9% higher in Florida than the national average. 

Nonfatal fall injuries are also widespread, with over 72,000 hospitalizations resulting from unintentional falls reported in 2020.

Statute of Limitations for Boca Raton, Florida Slip and Fall Claims

Slip and fall claims fall under the broader category of negligence claims in Florida law. Florida law 95.11(3)(6) states that claimants of negligence have four years from the date of the incident to file a claim. Case proceedings may extend beyond this four-year window, but case filing must occur before this window closes.

Premises Liability and How Fault is Determined in Slip and Falls

Most instances of slip and fall accidents fall under the purview of premises liability. Premises liability refers to the duties and responsibilities of a property owner to maintain a safe space for visitors. Many of these duties are relatively straightforward – maintenance of even flooring and carpeting, upkeep and installation of handrails, even and well-maintained stairs, and other fundamental safety concerns. 

Fault is determined based on proving that a property owner failed to uphold their responsibilities in maintaining a safe and secure environment. If a property owner knew or should have known that risks existed and failed to rectify them, fault would fall on them. If a property owner feels that the victim shared responsibility, they must, in turn, prove comparative negligence on the part of the victim. 

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

do you still have questions?

CONTACT US TODAY

Where do Slip and Fall Accidents Commonly Occur in Boca Raton?

Slip and fall accidents can occur virtually anywhere, but there are a few more common locations due to the presence of possible hazards:

  • Sidewalks. Sidewalks deteriorate over time due to wear and tear. Pavement can crack and break, develop potholes, or shift due to tree roots and other environmental factors, increasing the risk of accidents. 
  • Parking Lots. Parking lot falls can occur for many of the same reasons as sidewalks. However, poor lighting and slick surfaces due to oil or water can also cause accidents. 
  • Restaurants, Grocery Stores, and Other Retail Shops. Heavily-trafficked public places are rife with possible environmental hazards. Spilled food and drink, damaged flooring, poor signage, and inadequate lighting may create space for accidents. 
  • Stairs. Loose or damaged stairs or carpeting, missing, damaged, or loose handrails, and insufficient lighting could make climbing stairs more treacherous than usual.
  • Elevators and Escalators. Failure to dutifully maintain and inspect elevators and escalators could cause them to jerk or stop suddenly, increasing the risk of injury. 
  • Job Sites. There are many potential causes of job site injuries. Unsecured equipment like ladders and scaffolding, debris on floors and other instances of negligence could lead to severe injuries. 

These are just a few common locations where slip and fall accidents occur. Even if this list doesn’t reflect your accident, it’s best to contact a lawyer. 

Types of Injuries Caused by Slips and Falls

Injuries caused by slip and fall incidents can vary widely based on the specifics of the incident, but some common injuries include:

  • Cuts, abrasions, and bruises
  • Broken bones and teeth
  • Damaged spinal cords
  • Blunt head trauma
  • Internal bleeding
  • Permanent disfigurement or disability

These injuries can range from mild to severe and permanent. Cases where incidents are entirely preventable make these outcomes even more tragic. 

Common Hazards Responsible for Slip and Fall Injuries

Numerous potential environmental hazards could cause someone to slip and fall:

  • Unmarked wet floors
  • Waxy or slick residue
  • Unsecured equipment or debris
  • Uneven or damaged flooring
  • Bad lighting
  • Broken or damaged stairs and handrails
  • Faulty elevators, escalators, or conveyor belts
  • Spilled food and drink
  • Heavily polished marble or granite flooring

This list is by no means comprehensive. Documenting hazards that contribute to a fall with photographs can better illustrate the specifics of your case.

How Much Will My Settlement be for My Slip and Fall Injuries?

There’s no fixed amount for a personal injury settlement. The causes and severity of your injury will dictate your settlement amount. You may be awarded damages that include pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, reimbursement of medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of future income. 

With this wide variety of potential damages, there’s no way to determine a typical settlement amount. To ensure that you receive the maximum possible compensation, the best course of action is to retain an experienced attorney immediately following your accident. 

Alfred

5 star icon

Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

C. Smith

5 star icon

“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

E. Holland

5 star icon

Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

J. Davis

5 star icon

“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

T. Andrews

5 star icon

“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

Erica F.

5 star icon

"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

Please fill out the form below for your

FREE CONSULTATION

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Do I Need to Hire a Boca Raton Slip and Fall Attorney? 

In short: absolutely. In the case of an accident, you should always document everything you can about the incident with written details and photos if possible. If you can get a written report of the accident from the property owner, manager, or one of the employees, be sure to do so. Try to seek medical attention immediately to assess your injuries and ensure your health and safety.

Once these initial steps are taken, contacting an experienced lawyer is imperative. An attorney can utilize the evidence you’ve compiled to determine if your case is sound and assess its severity. With experience and expert knowledge of local laws, your attorney can ensure you are compensated for the full extent of your slip and fall accident’s damages. 

Contact Osborne & Francis to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation 

If you’ve been injured due to a fall, don’t wait. Schedule a free case evaluation with Osborne and Francis today by calling us at 561-293-2600 or contacting our Boca Raton office online. We want to get you the compensation you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions