Dunedin Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer
People are injured because of slips, trips, and falls every day. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property in Dunedin, FL, the property owner may owe you compensation. An experienced Dunedin slip & fall accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to hold the negligent property owner accountable.
Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Since founding our law firm in 1986, we’ve helped injury victims recover over $120 million in settlements and verdicts.
We know what it takes to help you recover fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more in Dunedin, Florida. Call our Dunedin slip and fall accident attorneys at (727) 787-2500 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Can Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers Help With a Slip & Fall Accident Claim in Dunedin, FL?
Slip and fall injury claims in Dunedin, FL, are often contested. Property owners and their insurance companies won’t want to admit they’re liable. They’ll search for any way to minimize their own financial exposure. After all, insurance companies lose money when they pay claims–and the property owner’s insurance premiums will probably increase if they admit fault.
Fortunately, our Dunedin personal injury attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have the experience to handle these complex cases.
Our founding attorney is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law. Our law firm has also earned an AV-Preeminent rating for our legal services.
When you hire us, you gain an advocate to:
- Investigate, interview witnesses, and gather strong evidence to prove your case
- Work with experts and specialists as necessary
- Document your losses to determine the fair value of your case
- Protect you from blame-the-victim insurance tactics
- Aggressively negotiate for a full settlement
- File a lawsuit and fight for fair compensation in court if necessary
Do you have questions about your legal rights after a slip and fall? Contact our Dunedin slip and fall accident lawyers for a free consultation today.
How Common Are Slip & Fall Accidents?
Falls have the potential to cause serious injuries. According to the CDC, over 3 million older Americans per year receive emergency room treatment for fall-related injuries. About 800,000 people are hospitalized with serious slip and fall injuries each year.
What Is My Dunedin Slip & Fall Accident Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case will depend on your injuries and the facts.
When we’re calculating your case value, our lawyers will evaluate:
- The extent of your losses, including medical treatment costs
- The severity of your injuries
- The value of your lost income
- Whether the injury will have future impacts, including on your earnings or quality of life
- Anticipated future costs for medical care, rehab, assistance, etc.
- The strength of the evidence
- The circumstances of the accident
- Whether the insurance company can prove you share any fault
Your lawyer’s negotiating skills can also play a critical role. When you hire a skilled personal injury law firm, the insurance company is far more likely to settle for the full amount you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Slip & Fall Accidents in Dunedin?
Damages is the legal term for the losses you suffer due to an accident and injury. Serious injuries often leave accident victims struggling with serious damages.
If your case is successful, you can seek compensation for all of the financial losses or economic damages you suffered due to the injury.
These economic losses may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of the value of household services during recovery
- Long-term nursing care
- Property damage
Like any car accident victim, you can also demand compensation for the pain, suffering, and trauma you have experienced. These personal losses are called non-economic damages.
Common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
The damages you recover will depend on your unique losses. Hiring an experienced attorney is the best way to make sure your settlement accounts for all of your damages. Contact Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about your right to compensation today.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Florida?
Our law firm takes slip and fall accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay any upfront fees when you hire us. You only pay our attorneys’ fees when you get paid.
Those fees are a percentage of the amount we recover in your case. Call us today to learn more about our fee structure and the contingency fee system in general.
What Happens to My Right to Compensation if I’m Partly Responsible for a Slip & Fall Accident in Florida?
Florida has a modified comparative negligence law. You lose your right to compensation when you’re more than 50% responsible for your injuries. When your share of the blame is less than 51%, your settlement or verdict is reduced accordingly.
When it comes to shared fault, insurance companies don’t always get it right. They tend to blame victims regardless of whether they have strong evidence. When someone is pointing the finger at you, count on our lawyers in Dunedin to protect you.
Slips, Trips, and Falls Often Leave Victims Struggling With Painful Injuries
Slips and falls have the potential to cause serious and life-changing injuries.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent injured clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken hips
- Knee injuries
- Dislocations
- Fractures and broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Facial injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
Depending on the severity of the fall, you could also suffer a permanent or catastrophic injury. Some falls are even fatal.
What Causes Most Slip & Fall Accidents in Dunedin, Florida?
While we’re fortunate enough to avoid snow and ice hazards here in Pinellas County, plenty of slip and fall hazards exist.
Some of the most common causes of slips and falls in Dunedin include:
- Slick or slippery floors
- Puddles or spills that haven’t been properly cleaned
- Crumbling pavement
- Missing or damaged guardrails
- Unsecured rugs or carpets
- Cracked pavement and potholes
- Debris or obstacles in walkways
- Exposed cables or electrical wires
- Inadequate lighting
- Missing stair treads or damaged stairs
- Uneven surfaces, including uneven entrances to elevators or doorways
If you were injured in a slip and fall on someone else’s property, report the fall to someone in charge. It’s also important to seek medical attention right away.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Damages After a Slip & Fall Accident in Dunedin?
Most slip and fall accident cases are brought under Florida premises liability laws. Under Florida law, property owners must maintain their property in safe condition. When dangerous property conditions result in injuries, the responsible owner can be liable for the victim’s damages.
That said, property owners are only liable when they’re negligent.
To recover damages in a slip and fall case, you’ll most likely have to prove the following:
- The owner owed you a legal duty of care, meaning that you were not trespassing at the time of the fall
- The owner knew or reasonably should have known, about the hazard that caused your fall
- They breached their duty of care because they failed to fix the unsafe condition or give you adequate notice that the danger existed
- The dangerous property condition directly caused your fall
- You suffered injuries, or damages, due to the fall
As the victim, it’s your responsibility to offer the insurance company proof of these elements. Our Dunedin slip & fall accident attorneys have the resources to carefully investigate the circumstances of your fall.
Our legal team will collect and analyze the following:
- Video surveillance footage
- Photos of the accident scene
- Statements from witnesses and employees
- Records that provide information about the business’ inspection procedures
- Medical records
- Accident reports prepared at the time of your injury
You could have a valid slip and fall accident claim anytime you were injured outside of your own property. That’s true whether you were dining in a restaurant, shopping at the grocery store, or enjoying the local attractions.
For help holding the responsible party liable for your losses, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Slip & Fall Accident in Florida?
Under Florida law, you have only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
While most personal injury claims are settled with insurance, the statute of limitations remains important. If you wait longer than two years, the courts will refuse to hear your case. That makes it highly unlikely that the insurance company will be willing to negotiate a settlement deal.
Contact a Seasoned Dunedin Slip & Fall Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you slipped and fell on someone else’s property in Dunedin, FL, contact our lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers today or give us a call at (727) 787-2500. An experienced Dunedin slip & fall accident lawyer can help you fight to recover the full compensation you deserve. As always, your initial consultation is free of charge.
