Lakewood Ranch Slip and Fall Lawyer

Slip and Fall Lawyer in Lakewood Ranch, FL

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident due to another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Lakewood Ranch slip and fall attorney at James Horne Law by calling 941-210-6000 today.

A slip and fall lawyer can help victims pursue compensation for injuries caused by unsafe property conditions. A slip and fall injuries are common. Sadly, they account for over 1 million emergency room visits a year. Slip and fall victims can also suffer severe and sometimes life-threatening injuries. And the medical bills for those injuries can add up.

Luckily, there is a path to compensation. Slip and fall injuries fall under a personal injury legal theory called premises liability. Under premises liability law, property owners are responsible for maintaining a safe property. When property owners neglect this duty and someone is injured, they can be legally liable for that person’s injuries.

You need an experienced advocate willing to take on aggressive insurance companies. AV-preeminent-rated litigation attorney James Horne understands your pain and is passionate about holding wrongdoers responsible.

At James Horne Law, we have worked with numerous slip and fall victims struggling to cope with overwhelming medical bills, missed work, and persistent discomfort. Our clients are more than a case file number or a faceless name on a laptop folder. We care about you and will fight relentlessly to secure the settlement you need.

What Is a Slip and Fall Accident?

The term “slip and fall” is used in a personal injury case when someone slips or trips and is injured on someone else’s property. For example, a person who slips on a wet floor in a restaurant or a person who stumbles on a loose rug in an office building may have a slip and fall claim.

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, but they most commonly occur in walkways like grocery store aisles, public stairs, sidewalks, crowded venues, private homes, and public parks. Many things can cause a slip and fall accident, but most are caused by:

Oily or greasy floors,
Spills on the floor,
Slick or icy walkways,
Rutted and uneven sidewalks,
Out of place and loose rugs or mats,
Disorderly spaces,
Blocked views,
Inadequate lighting,
Cords or cables lying on the floor,
Insufficient or absent handrails, and
Uneven or loose steps.

Understanding what caused your slip and fall injury can be essential to building a strong premises liability case. It will help your attorney pinpoint the type of claim to file and who the liable parties are. At James Horne Law, experienced slip and fall lawyer James Horne knows how to gather the evidence needed to establish the cause of your slip and fall. He will fight to ensure the right person is held accountable, which will help you secure the compensation you need.

Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents may seem minor, but they can cause serious and life-changing injuries. Some of the most common include:

Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries. A blow to the head can lead to headaches, dizziness, memory loss, or more severe brain trauma. These injuries can impact your ability to work, drive, or perform daily tasks.
Back and spinal cord injuries. Falls can cause slipped discs, fractured vertebrae, or even paralysis. Back injuries often require ongoing treatment, including physical therapy or surgery.
Broken hips, arms, wrists, or legs. Fractures are especially common in older adults, but anyone can suffer broken bones in a fall. These injuries may require casts, surgery, or long-term mobility aids like crutches or wheelchairs.
Torn ligaments and sprains. Ankles, knees, wrists, and shoulders are vulnerable to ligament damage when you slip and try to catch yourself. These soft tissue injuries can cause lasting pain and limit your range of motion.
Chronic pain or limited mobility. Even after your initial injuries heal, you may experience ongoing discomfort, stiffness, or difficulty walking or standing for long periods.

These types of injuries often result in costly medical bills and long-term impacts on your quality of life. Seeking immediate medical attention and documenting your treatment can help strengthen your claim when you work with a slip and fall lawyer in Lakewood Ranch.

Determining Slip and Fall Liability

All Florida property owners owe every person allowed on their property a duty to keep that property in good repair. To prove that a property owner breached their duty and is liable for a person’s injury, a claimant must show:

The property owner knew or should have known about a hazard on the property;
The hazard posed an unreasonable risk of harm;
The property owner did not employ reasonable care to reduce or eliminate the risk; and
The property owner’s failure caused the plaintiff’s injuries.

However, while property owners owe the public a duty of care, the specific duty depends on the injured party’s classification when they were injured. The different types of classifications are:

Trespassers. People who enter a property without legal authorization or the owner’s implied or express permission are trespassers. With some exceptions, the only duty a property owner owes a trespasser is a duty to refrain from causing injury either willfully, wantonly, or through gross negligence.
Invitees. These are members of the public who the property owner invited onto the property, either by express or implied invitation, so they can transact business. Property owners must warn invitees of any dangers or fix any dangerous conditions they know about or should have discovered with a reasonable inspection.
Licensees. Licensees are people who are on the property with the owner’s knowledge but who are not there to transact business. In this case, the owner has a duty to fix any dangerous conditions on the property they know of or warn the licensee of the conditions.

Essentially, what a landowner knew about a hazard and when they discovered it often determines the outcome of a premises liability case. For this reason, finding an experienced attorney skilled in interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and building a solid claim can make or break a slip and fall case.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

The value of slip and fall accident claims varies. Often, it depends on factors such as your medical bills, type of injury, and the evidence supporting your claim. How much your other damages are worth—such as the loss of current and future wages, pain and suffering, and long-term disability or impairment—can also affect your settlement amount.

The specific facts and circumstances of your slip and fall accident will govern how much compensation you can receive.

All settlements will include compensation for economic damages, which are tangible monetary losses. They may also include noneconomic damages, which are less concrete and harder to prove. Economic damages may include medical expenses, long-term care, rehabilitation therapy, and current and future lost wages. Collect financial documents such as doctor bills, invoices, and pay stubs to help your attorney calculate and prove your economic damages. Noneconomic damages can include emotional pain and suffering, physical pain and suffering, and loss of self-esteem if the injury results in scarring or permanent disability. Because the specific facts of your accident dictate your economic damages, and because noneconomic damages are harder to prove, working with an experienced slip and fall lawyer in Lakewood Ranch can increase your chance of receiving considerable compensation.

What Evidence Can Help Prove Your Slip and Fall Case?

Slip and fall claims require clear evidence showing that the property owner failed to fix or warn you about a dangerous condition. Important types of evidence may include:

Incident reports. If the property owner or business created a report after your fall, it may include key details like the date, time, location, and statements from employees or witnesses.
Photos and videos. Images of the dangerous condition, such as a wet floor, poor lighting, or broken steps, can document the hazard that caused your fall.
Witness statements. Independent witnesses who saw your fall can provide statements to back up your version of events and help establish liability.
Medical records. Official medical documentation links your injuries directly to the fall, showing the physical harm and treatment required.
Maintenance records. Evidence showing that the property owner neglected to maintain the premises or failed to fix a known hazard can strengthen your case.
Expert opinions. Testimony from safety experts, medical professionals, or engineers can explain how the hazard posed a risk and how it led to your injuries.

A skilled slip and fall attorney in Lakewood Ranch knows how to gather this evidence, work with experts, and build a strong claim to help you pursue full compensation.

How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Florida?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for most slip and fall claims is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit against the property owner or responsible party. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries. Because evidence can disappear quickly, you should contact a slip and fall lawyer in Lakewood Ranch as soon as possible to start building your case.

Special rules may apply if your accident happened on government property. These cases often have shorter notice deadlines and specific filing requirements. A knowledgeable slip and fall attorney can review your case and make sure all legal deadlines are met.

FAQs About Hiring a Slip and Fall Lawyer in Lakewood Ranch

How Much Does a Slip and Fall Lawyer Cost?

At James Horne Law, we handle slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. Our fee comes out of the settlement or verdict we recover for you. If we do not win your case, you do not owe us anything. This allows you to seek justice without worrying about out-of-pocket legal fees.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Slip and Fall Case?

The value of a slip and fall case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, and the impact on your daily life. There is no definitive “average” settlement amount. Our slip and fall lawyer will review your case and help you understand what your claim may be worth.

Do I Have to Go to Court to Win My Case?

Most slip and fall cases settle out of court through negotiations with the property owner’s insurance company. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your slip and fall attorney may recommend filing a lawsuit. At James Horne Law, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, giving you the best chance of recovering full compensation.

Contact a Slip and Fall Lawyer

If you’re looking for a slip and fall attorney near Lakewood Ranch, call lawyer James Horne. At James Horne Law, our fierce advocates will fight tirelessly to help you get the most out of your settlement. From your first consultation to trial, our experienced team will put our knowledge and skill to work for you. If you have a slip and fall claim, contact James Horne Law today by phone or online to schedule your free consultation.

Slip and Fall Lawyer in Lakewood Ranch