When property owners don’t warn or fix hazardous outdoor conditions, they could be held liable for slip and fall accidents. In Florida, outdoor dangers can include cracked pavement, slippery walkways, and poor lighting. These conditions can cause serious injury, and you’ll need a slip and fall attorney to help fight the legal battles that follow.
Spotting Hazardous Outdoor Conditions
Hazardous outdoor conditions are environmental hazards that pose a risk to people walking or moving on a property. Even landscaping debris or unmarked maintenance areas can be hazardous if they aren’t properly handled.
For a case to move forward, your slip and fall attorney must show that the property owner either knew or should have known about the danger. They must also prove that the property owner failed to act in a timely manner to prevent that accident.
How a Slip and Fall Attorney Builds Their Case
Every strong case starts with a comprehensive investigation to determine cause and liability. Your slip and fall attorney will listen to your side of the story and ask critical questions about what happened, where, and how. They’ll also want to know if there were any witnesses or if nearby properties had security cameras that might have captured the accident.
This is when your attorney begins collecting evidence to support your personal injury claim. It may involve visiting the site, taking photos, interviewing witnesses, and requesting camera footage. And if weather or maintenance played a role, your legal team will collect evidence for that, too.
The more proof your slip and fall attorney can gather, the better your case becomes. Secure legal counsel early to prevent oversights and missed opportunities. Contact Sullivan and Sullivan today if you think you have a case.
Proving Liability in Hazardous Outdoor Conditions
Under Florida premises liability law, property owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe, which means your slip and fall attorney will need to prove four things:
- The owner had a duty to maintain the area
- They breached that duty for whatever reason
- The breach directly or indirectly caused your injury
- You suffered damages as a result
Liability for hazardous outdoor conditions doesn’t always stop with the property owner, though. A property management company, maintenance crew, or government agency may also be responsible for damages. This is why working with a qualified legal team is essential, as cases involving large entities can sometimes be complex.
What to Do About Shared Liability
Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule. What does that mean?
It means that if you were partly at fault, you can still recover damages. For example, if you were distracted while walking. However, your compensation might be reduced by your percentage of fault, so your attorney’s job is to reduce that percentage and keep the focus on the property owner’s failure to act.
Injuries from an accident can range from minor sprains and broken bones to long-term mobility issues. And insurance adjusters often try to downplay claims. Your slip and fall attorney will assess the immediate medical costs and future impact. Sullivan and Sullivan will develop a compelling argument demonstrating that the hazard could and should have been prevented.
Schedule Your Consultation with a Slip and Fall Attorney
Hazardous outdoor conditions can lead to lasting injuries, lost wages, and ongoing medical costs. But Sullivan and Sullivan slip and fall attorneys are here to help. Schedule your consultation today to learn more and pursue the compensation you deserve.
