Slip-and-Fall Accidents in South Florida

Premises liability in Miami & Fort Lauderdale

Falls are among the most common accidents. A slip-and-fall accident, categorized under premises liability law, is an accident that occurs when wet or slippery conditions, uneven surfaces, or unexpected objects or hidden conditions in your path cause you to fall on a floor, stairs, or sidewalk.

Who is liable for injuries?

Simply put: property owners. Owners of homes, apartments, condominiums, office buildings, shopping centers, stores, parking lots, or government buildings may be held liable for injuries if the victim can prove negligence.

The law holds property owners responsible for maintaining safe premises for invited guests, persons conducting business, and the general public. If any dangerous conditions exist that could cause harm, if a floor is wet and may be slippery, the owner must warn invited guests or post signs for the general public. Unlike invited guests or a person who is on your property for business purposes, from a legal standpoint, a trespasser cannot expect the same standard of care to apply.

Children are a notable exception to the level of care a property owner has the duty to exercise, because children may be too young to read signs and are unable to understand or react to dangerous conditions as an adult would. When an owner has created dangerous conditions such as open pits, trenches, a pond, or swimming pool, for example, owners have a duty to take extra precautions against harming children.

What damages are covered in a slip-and-fall?

If you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident, the damages to which you may be entitled are the same as other personal injury law cases:

• Pain and suffering
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost wages
• Physical impairment
• Scarring
• Inconvenience

Timeframe for filing a claim

In Florida, there is a 4-year statute of limitations. If you want to file a lawsuit, you need to do so within the time limit set by law or you are forever barred from bringing suit. If you are injured on government property, you have a very short timeframe and must submit written notice to the government before filing a claim.

When you are injured in a slip-and-fall accident caused by the negligence of another, retaining a personal injury attorney is essential to protect your interests and obtain compensation when someone else is liable for the harm you suffered.

At the Law Offices of Ivan A. Schertzer, our attorneys have been assisting clients in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in successfully resolving slip and fall injury claims for nearly 30 years. We can help you too.

Our firm offers a free case evaluation to discuss your accident and provide an accurate assessment of your injury.

Please contact our law office to make an appointment. We will gladly answer your questions and arrange consultation.

Call 1 305-940-0007 after a slip-and-fall accident in South Florida.

We serve clients in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach & all of South Florida.