Tampa Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer

Experienced Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer in Tampa FL

Thousands of people are injured after slipping and falling on floors, stairs, or slick surfaces each year. Unfortunately, assigning blame in these cases can be difficult – if not impossible. An experienced Tampa slip and fall lawyer can help determine whether negligence was a factor in your accident, in addition to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

At Dennis A. Lopez & Associates, our team has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury cases. Contact our team at (813) 223-1977 for a free consultation.

Examples of Slip and Fall Injuries

Though dozens of injuries may result from a slip and fall accident, some of the most common include:

• Head Injuries
• Hip Fractures
• Shoulder Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Sprains and Fractures
• Back Injuries

Proving Fault

There are several things you must show in order to hold a property owner responsible for your slip and fall accident, including one of the following:

• Knowledge of the dangerous condition by the property owner or an employee – and proof no party took any action to prevent injury.
• Reasonable proof the property owner or an employee should have known about the dangerous condition because any reasonable person would.
• Fault of the property owner or an employee for the existence of the condition in the first place, such as broken flooring or a liquid spill.

Proving Negligence

It can be difficult to prove a property owner “should have known” about an existing dangerous condition. In this situation, a Tampa slip and fall lawyer can speak with witnesses, provide testimony, or review documentation to help build your case.

Some common questions a court may ask before providing compensation include:

• Did the hazardous condition or obstacle exist long enough that a reasonable owner or employee could have taken action against it?
• Did the property owner or employee have a policy of routinely checking for potential hazards?
• Was there justification for the creation of the hazard?
• Could the condition have been made less dangerous through preventive measures?
• Was poor lighting or limited visibility a factor in the accident?

Types of Compensation

There numerous factors that determine how much compensation you should seek in your personal injury lawsuit. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• • Lost Wages – If you miss work due to your slip and fall injury, you are entitled to recover the value of your lost wages. You will be required to verify the amount you earn and the exact time you missed. This can usually be accomplished with a tax return or pay stub.
  • Pain and Suffering – This is perhaps the least predictable type of compensation because you cannot show pain and suffering on a receipt. Your medical bills may be used as a general starting point. It may help if you keep a written journal of your thoughts and feelings following your slip and fall accident.
  • Medical Bills – All past and future medical bills due to your injury are eligible for compensation. Keep close track of your expenses and give your slip and fall lawyer a copy of your bills for future reference.
  • There are many expenses resulting from your injury that don’t show on medical bills, including gas used to cover travel back and forth to your doctor. These expenses may be eligible for compensation, assuming you can prove a rational connection between the expense and your injury.
  • Loss of Earning Capacity – If your injuries are bad enough to result in lasting damage, leaving you incapable of performing the work you did before your slip and fall accident, you may be able to recover some (or all) of that amount through compensation. An expert is generally required to offer testimony in support of your claim.

If you aren’t sure which factors to consider in your case, work closely with your Tampa slip and fall lawyer to develop a range of settlement offers you’d be willing to accept. You should never feel badgered to accept a low-ball settlement offer. It may help to create a worst-case-scenario number that reimburses your medical bills and ongoing expenses.