Slip and Fall Attorney West Palm Beach

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, causing serious injuries that require extensive rehabilitation. On top of the injury, you could also face an uncertain financial future as the medical bills mount. Our slip and fall attorneys in West Palm Beach can review your case in a free consultation to determine if you may be entitled to compensation for healthcare costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

You can reach us 24/7 by calling (561) 299-3999. If we don’t win, you won’t pay any fees.

Our slip and fall lawyers in West Palm Beach have extensive experience in tort cases and an in-depth knowledge of Florida premises liability law. We can help you with the following:

• Compiling evidence at the scene


• Deposing eyewitnesses


• Filing paperwork


• Helping you avoid mistakes that would compromise your case


• Approximating a fair value for your claim so you don’t overlook damages


• Negotiating with insurance companies


• Filing a lawsuit if the defendant refuses to settle


• Representing you at trial if needed

Annually, more than 1 million people visit emergency rooms across the country for injuries suffered in slip and fall accidents. The Florida Department of Health reports that falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries that lead to hospital admissions in the state each year. The most common causes of slip and fall accidents include the following:

• Weather conditions


• Uneven or damaged surfaces (broken sidewalks, missing floorboards, ragged carpet, etc.)


• Improper footwear


• Cluttered walkways


• Inadequate lighting


• Damaged or missing handrails


• Wet floors


• Faulty automatic doors


• Malfunctioning elevators and escalators

Being involved in a slip and fall that has left you injured can be devastating. You may not be able to return to work for some time, medical expenses may be piling up, your usual routines may be disrupted, and you may be struggling to make ends meet.

These circumstances have probably left you wondering what your personal injury claim is worth. While there is no way to determine exactly what your settlement is going to be, your attorney can investigate your case to estimate your potential recovery.

The following factors are likely to influence the value of your claim:

• Your Level of Liability: One of the most important steps in a personal injury claim is proving liability. If it is proven that your own negligence may have contributed to your losses in any way, your compensation may be significantly reduced to reflect your share of the liability. For example, if your doctor told you to stay home and rest but you are spotted at the office, the insurance company could argue that you did not do your duty to mitigate damages and that your negligence has resulted in the aggravation of your injuries. You may then be held liable for some or all your damages.


• Medical Expenses: Your medical bills are likely piling up. All your doctor’s visits, treatments, medical procedures, physiotherapy sessions, and medications, can be included as part of your claim. Minor injuries will typically cost less to treat than more serious injuries or permanent disabilities. As such, the severity of your injuries may have a notable influence on the potential value of your reward.


• Lost Income and Future Earning Potential: If you are unable to work during your recovery or you cannot work at full capacity because of your injuries, you can include these lost wages as part of your claim. The difference in your salary before and after the accident, as well as the duration of your absence from work, will greatly influence your potential recovery. If you are unable to ever return to the same line of work due to your injuries, you may also be able to include compensation for lost future earning potential as part of your claim.


• Additional Accident-Related Expenses: Any additional accident-related costs that you incurred can also be included as part of your claim. For example, if you had to pay for childcare, alternative forms of transportation, home modifications, replacement or repairs of your property damaged in the accident, and even lunch at the hospital cafeteria. Be sure to keep receipts for all these additional expenses so that your attorney can factor them into your potential recovery.

Victims of slip and fall accidents can suffer the following injuries:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)


• Spinal cord injuries


• Broken arms and legs


• Lacerations


• Internal organ damage and internal bleeding


• Neck and shoulder injuries


• Injuries to soft tissues


• Stretch and pull injuries


• Crush injuries

A slip and fall accident can happen anywhere in West Palm Beach, including on government property. Other common locations where slip and fall accidents happen include the following:

• Schools


• Restaurants and bars


• Stores


• Public parks


• Private residences


• Apartment buildings


• Train stations


• Airports


• Bus depots

A slip and fall case can include multiple defendants, depending on the circumstances surrounding the event. If it occurred on private property, you may be able to hold the property owner accountable. If the accident happened on public property, the defendant could be the entity responsible for maintaining the premises. Landlords and property managers could also be liable in these cases.

If you have been injured in a West Palm Beach slip and fall accident, you need to take the following steps to protect yourself and your right to compensation:

• Seek medical care immediately. Showing proof of medical care when you file a claim increases your chances of securing compensation.


• Report the accident. Report the slip and fall to the property owner, property manager, landlord, or other person in charge.


• Document the accident. Get everything about the accident in writing, including the date, time, location and contact information of the witnesses. Documentation should also include pictures of the accident scene and any hazards that could have caused your injury.


• Do not give a statement. Refrain from giving a statement to the property owner or manager. You should also refrain from posting about the accident and subsequent injury on social media.


• Seek legal representation. You should secure legal representation as soon as possible after suffering an injury. A slip and fall attorney in West Palm Beach can answer your questions, conduct an investigation, and build a case for compensation against the responsible party.

When you or a loved one has been injured in a West Palm Beach slip and fall accident, you need to prove that someone else was responsible for your injuries in order to obtain compensation. Proving fault involves establishing that:

• The defendant owed the injured visitor a duty of care


• The duty of care owed to the injured person was breached


• The injuries to the plaintiff were directly related to the breach of duty by the property owner


• The injured plaintiff suffered actual damages as a result of the breach of duty

If you are able to prove liability and causation, you may be able to obtain compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses


• Rehabilitation expenses


• Counseling


• Lost wages


• Pain and suffering

Did you or a loved one suffer an injury in a slip and fall accident in West Palm Beach? Call the office of Donaldson & Weston at (561) 299-3999, or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.