How Can I Prove Negligence in a Slip and Fall Case?
We all make mistakes from time to time, whether it’s because we aren’t paying attention or our clumsiness. However, slipping on another person’s property as a result of negligence can cause serious injuries that will require rehabilitation and medical care. If you’re involved in a slip-and-fall accident due to a hazardous environment, Florida law allows you to seek compensation.
Florida Property Owners’ Responsibilities
This means that property owners have to fix known hazards and keep the property clean of debris. They also need to warn potential visitors about potentially dangerous situations. These are the most common negligence claims arising from premises liability:
- Do not clean up liquid spillages
- Low lighting conditions
- Use slippery flooring materials
- Handrails are not required on stairs.
- It is important to address cracks, holes, and gaps in your flooring.
- Allowing debris and other objects to accumulate on walkways.
- Do not ignore uneven floors that could cause tripping hazards
- Elevator wires should not be exposed to the floor.
- Not giving fair warning of potential hazards.
Two Methods to Prove Negligence of the Owner in Slip and Fall Cases
You will need to either show the following:
What the Property Owner Should Have Knew/Should have known about the Danger
You must prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the danger that caused your accident. This could be an example of a store owner or manager knowing about a spillage and failing to respond quickly or the spillage had been present for so long that it was obvious that they should have known.
The Property Owner Caused the Condition and Failed to Correct It
His method requires that you prove that the property owner caused the condition and that they failed to correct or warn about it. The grocery store could be held responsible if an employee slipped and fell while mopping the floor. This also applies to businesses that have a hole in their ground that was not roped off, or without warning and has been there for several weeks.
This post was written by Okoye Morgan Jr., a lawyer with extensive knowledge as a Tampa personal injury lawyer. Okoye is one of the founding partners of The Black Law Company, specializing in personal injury law, trust and estate law, civil litigation law, and criminal defense.
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