Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and falls may seem minor, but they can actually lead to debilitating and life-threatening injuries. People have an obligation to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition, but many ignore this duty and cause harm to others as a result of their carelessness. The diligent premises liability lawyers at Frankl Kominsky have helped West Palm Beach clients hold property owners accountable for slip and fall injuries. Our seasoned litigators offer dedicated advocacy to give our clients the chance to get the compensation they need.

Slip and falls are the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Many of these accidents occur on property where there is a condition that is defective or dangerous, including:

• Uneven pavements
• Wet surfaces
• Loose steps or handrails
• Debris or material on the floor

While some slip and falls are minor, many individuals suffer serious or life-threatening injuries. CDC data shows that there were over 8.9 million non-fatal falls in the U.S. in 2012. Children and the elderly are more likely to suffer serious harm, such as brain trauma and fractures.

When a slip and fall accident occurs on someone else’s property, you may have a valid personal injury claim under premises liability law. Property owners in Palm Beach County have an obligation to keep their premises in reasonably safe conditions. A property owner may be liable for a slip and fall injury if it failed to fix a dangerous condition it knew or should have reasonably known about, or if it failed to warn the victim of the hazard. The injured person also must causally connect the owner’s negligence to his or her harm to recover damages.

In most cases, the property owner will only owe this duty of care to those legally on the property. The owner is obligated to keep the premises safe for business guests or social guests but not for trespassers. There are some exceptions for child trespassers and discovered adult trespassers. As a general matter, however, the victim will have to demonstrate that he or she was owed a duty of care to successfully hold the property owner liable.

Slip and fall accidents often occur in business establishments. If you slipped on what is considered a transitory object, such as food, you must show that the business had constructive knowledge of the condition. You must prove that if the enterprise or its employees had exercised ordinary care, it would have known about the risk. You can also show that the dangerous condition was foreseeable because it occurred on a regular basis.

Victims of slip and falls can seek compensation for their injuries. If you prove your case, you may recover for any medical bills related to your injuries, lost income and any loss in earning capacity, and pain and suffering, among other economic and non-economic damages. If the accident led to a tragic loss of life, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Recoverable damages in these lawsuits include compensation for the deceased’s medical and funeral expenses, as well as other compensation based on a family member’s relationship to the victim. Florida requires you to file a personal injury claim no more than two years from when the accident occurred, or two years for wrongful death.

The slip and fall attorneys at Frankl Kominsky can review the facts of your case to determine if a property owner in West Palm Beach or elsewhere is liable for your injuries. If you have a viable claim, we can help you assert your right to damages. We serve ordinary people in Palm Beach County communities such as Lake Worth, and Palm Beach Gardens. Give us a call today at (855) 800-8000 or complete our online form for a no-obligation consultation. Our team is fluent in Spanish and Creole.