Slip & Fall Attorneys in West Palm Beach, FL Fight for Injured Clients’ Rights in Palm Beach County and Throughout Florida
Everyone has had the experience of slipping and falling. But when a slip & fall occurs outside your own home it’s different because property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. So if the property owner’s negligent failure to properly maintain the property or warn of hazardous conditions caused or contributed to your slip & fall accident, that owner may be obligated to compensate you for your injuries. In which case you’re well advised to contact West Palm Beach Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers.
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A., our West Palm Beach Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers pride ourselves in being attentive to the needs of South Florida slip & fall victims. We understand how challenging it can be to deal with a property owner’s attorney or insurance company, and are well aware how tough it can be to recover from a slip & fall accident, which not only leaves victims with painful injuries, but frequently results in hospital bills, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation costs and even lost wages.
Common Injuries in Slip & Fall Accidents
At Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A, we’ve been fighting for the rights of slip & fall accident victims since our law firm opened in 2010, but our lawyers’ experience pre-dates the founding of the firm and stretches back decades. As such, we’ve represented victims with all manner of injuries, including, but not limited to:
- Fractures, most commonly of the wrist, arm, hip and leg
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Herniated discs
- Concussions
But in the most serious cases, a slip & fall can result in death and warrant a wrongful death lawsuit.
Sometimes, though, serious and debilitating injuries don’t reveal themselves right away (especially in the case of back injuries), which is why it’s a good idea to visit a doctor in the wake of a slip & fall accident.
Signs of a back injury may include:
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness in the legs
- Localized pain that becomes more pronounced with certain movements
- Muscle spasms
- Tenderness
Steps to Take After a Slip & Fall Accident in West Palm Beach, FL
If you have been injured in a slip & fall accident in South Florida, your first priority should be to attend to your physical health. Go to the hospital or visit a doctor, then stick to the doctor’s treatment plan, which should include attending any scheduled follow-up appointments.
You also want to take pictures of the accident scene and photograph any visible injuries you may have suffered. Some of the conditions that frequently come into play in a slip & fall accident case are:
- Puddles of water
- Newly polished or mopped floors
- Loose wires or cords
- Torn rugs or carpet
- Jagged or broken concrete or pavement
- Debris or items that have been left on the floor where they shouldn’t be
Also take note of whether any warning or hazard signs have been posted, and whether any video cameras may have recorded the incident. Keep in mind that many slip & fall cases are not resolved for many months, so photographic and video evidence can be invaluable in illustrating dangerous conditions, not to mention the extent of your injuries.
Finally, you’ll want to report the accident to the business owner or manager, or to the property manager or landlord. Generally speaking, you want to limit yourself to reporting the facts of your case, without admitting fault or providing too many details.
After you’ve reported your accident you may be contacted by an insurance adjuster. It’s best practice not to talk to an adjuster before consulting with West Palm Beach Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers. Certainly, you don’t want to give a recorded statement to the adjuster unless the attorney you retain advises you to do so. In fact one of the benefits of retaining a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer is that he or she can speak with the insurance adjuster on your behalf, removing some of the stress that typically follows in the wake of a slip & fall accident.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you have sustained injuries in a slip & fall accident contact the experienced West Palm Beach, FL trip and fall attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. to discuss your case today. Although our main office is located on Lucerne Avenue in downtown Lake Worth (across from City Hall) we also have a presence in Pompano Beach. We offer a free initial consultation at our office, or we can travel to the hospital or your home. Evening and weekend appointments are also available. And if English isn’t your first language, that’s never a problem. The attorneys and staffers in our office are bilingual, which explains why you’ll often hear Spanish spoken in our office.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Palm Beach Slip & Fall Injuries
It might make a difference, yes. If you’ve been “invited” onto the property, either expressly or by implication, you’re referred to as an invitee and the property owner has a duty to exercise reasonable care for your safety. What does it mean to be invited by implication? A good example is a store, which by nature invites customers to shop there.
An accident report does not have to be filled out, though generally speaking it’s a good idea to report an accident and file a report. One of the advantages of doing so right away is that the incident is still fresh in your mind. On the other hand, if you are seriously injury or in shock in the immediate wake of the incident it might not be a good idea.