3 FAQs About Slips & Falls Caused by Spilled Liquids
When you enter a bar, restaurant, or grocery store, you don’t expect to leave with serious injuries. But if staff members fail to clean up spilled liquids in a timely manner, slipping and falling is a very real possibility. And depending on how you land, even a minor fall can result in devastating injuries.
If you were hurt in a slip and fall at a business establishment, you may be wondering how to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. It’s only natural to have a lot of questions about the claims process. The best source of guidance is a skilled attorney who has extensive experience in premises liability cases. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations.
Below we’ve answered some general questions about slip and fall claims involving spilled liquids:
1. Who Might Be Liable for a Slip and Fall on a Spilled Liquid?
Your claim will most likely be filed against the owner or possessor of the property where the accident happened. For your case to be successful, you must prove how the property owner, possessor, or one of their employees was negligent. In other words, you must demonstrate that the defendant or one of the defendant’s employees knew or should have known about the spill but failed to clean it or to post warnings about it within a reasonable timeframe.
2. What Should I Do Following a Slip and Fall at a Business Establishment?
Filing a successful premises liability claim against a business establishment can be challenging because it often involves going up against a major insurance provider. Fortunately, there are steps you can take that may increase your chances of securing a fair settlement such as:
- Photographing the spill from various angles;
- Photographing any warning signs—or lack thereof—from various angles;
- Photographing injuries;
- Requesting a copy of any surveillance footage of the accident;
- Requesting an incident report from the manager on duty; and
- Obtaining the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses.
In addition to doing all of the above, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. This will ensure you receive prompt treatment for any injuries including those that may not manifest immediate symptoms. It will also contribute to the strength of your claim by demonstrating a commitment to your mitigating damages, and by helping your attorney tie your injury to the accident.
3. What Kinds of Damages Can I Pursue in a Slip and Fall Claim?
If your claim is successful, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. In the state of Florida, personal injury claimants have the right to pursue compensation for:
- Healthcare expenses;
- Lost wages;
- Lost benefits;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Home care;
- Domestic help;
- Child care;
- Alternative transportation;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of enjoyment in life; and
- Emotional distress.
Discuss Your Case with a Slip and Fall Attorney in Florida
If you slipped on a spilled liquid at a business establishment, you may be entitled to compensation for all resulting damages. To determine if you have grounds for a claim, contact Donaldson & Weston.
Our strategic team has helped hundreds of clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call 772-266-5555 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation with a slip and fall lawyer in Florida.
