Fort Myers Slip and Fall Lawyer
Slip and fall hazards can be found everywhere, and while most of us try hard to avoid tripping or falling, it can be unavoidable in some situations. Poor property conditions like uncontrolled vegetation, spotty lighting, and uneven walkways can lead to slips, trips, and falls. If another party's negligence is to blame for your accident, you have a right to demand financial compensation.
Being injured in a slip-and-fall accident can alter the course of your life. The Fort Myers slip and fall accident attorneys at Pittman Law Firm, P.L. can help you confidently file a claim against the liable party in your situation.
Slip and fall incidents are not just minor mishaps; they can have significant legal implications. In Florida, property owners have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors. If they fail to do so, they may be found liable for injuries suffered on their property. Understanding the nuances of premises liability can be complex and requires skilled legal guidance. Our team is equipped to navigate these legal intricacies and advocate for your entitled compensation. We also offer extensive support throughout the claim process, ensuring you understand every step involved.
To speak with our experienced Fort Myers slip and fall lawyers, give us a call at (239) 603-6913 or contact us online today.
Understanding Florida Slip & Fall Laws
Florida adopts comparative negligence rules in slip and fall cases, which means that the compensation you can receive might be reduced by your percentage of fault. This system emphasizes why having knowledgeable local legal assistance is crucial in Fort Myers. Local attorneys are well-acquainted with the state-specific nuances of these laws and can help mitigate any claims of comparative negligence against you. Understanding these local regulations can immensely favor your position in legal proceedings, ensuring a fair negotiation or trial outcome.
Additionally, Florida law requires the injured party to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to rectify it. This requirement can be challenging, making professional legal guidance imperative. Fort Myers' legal environment often involves issues unique to the region, such as slip and fall incidents in popular tourist spots and residential complexes, which require a tailored legal approach to be addressed effectively.
Types of Slip & Fall Accidents
Slip & Falls on Water
Water is one of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents in Fort Myers, especially in high-traffic areas like store entrances, pool decks, walkways, and stairwells, where rain, spills, or poor drainage create slick surfaces. Even a thin layer of moisture can lead to serious injuries when property owners fail to place mats, clean spills promptly, or maintain safe flooring.
Trip and Fall Accidents Due to Inadequate Lighting
Trip and fall accidents caused by inadequate lighting are common in Fort Myers, especially in parking lots, stairwells, walkways, and building entrances where dim or uneven lighting hides cracks, steps, uneven surfaces, and other hazards. Poor visibility makes it difficult for pedestrians to spot dangers or judge changes in elevation, increasing the risk of serious injuries. Property owners in Florida have a legal duty to maintain safe, well-lit areas, and when they fail to correct lighting issues, they may be held responsible.
Trip & Fall Accidents Due to Uneven Pavement
Uneven pavement is one of the most common — and most preventable — causes of trip-and-fall accidents in Fort Myers. Raised sidewalk slabs, cracked or sinking concrete, and abrupt elevation changes can easily catch a person’s foot and lead to serious injuries, especially when poor lighting or weather conditions make the hazard harder to see. Property owners and managers have a responsibility to maintain safe walking surfaces, repair dangerous defects, or warn visitors when hazards exist. When they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, the injured person may have a valid premises liability claim.
What Sets Pittman Law Firm Apart?
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We can do everything large firms can do, but better.
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We've won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
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We are local and have convenient locations.
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We return all calls - don't get lost in the system of a large firm!
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We treat every case like we were handling it for a family member.
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We are a full-service law firm and can help you with all aspects of your case, including your car.
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We handle every case personally.
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We have over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases.
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“I’ll be sure to recommend you to anyone in need of an outstanding accident attorney.”
- Arcadia A.I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for all the hard work and dedication you put into my case. Your professionalism, persistence, and clear communication made a stressful situation much easier to handle. I truly appreciate the way you guided me through every step and fought to reach a fair settlement. It was a pleasure working with someone so committed and knowledgeable. I’ll be sure to recommend you to anyone in need of an outstanding accident attorney.
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“They treated us with care & like family.”
“Kristin Pittman always answered our questions, assured us, and helped us every step of the way.”- Manny S. -
“Kristin Pittman was the best that could happen to us after our accident.”
“Kristin listened to our situation and came up with out-of-the-box solutions that helped us get everything resolved in our favor.”- Dirk F. -
“Kristin Pittman was a ray of sunshine in a horrible experience.”
“Kristin was always available to answer our questions, compassionately helped us through this turmoil in our lives, and brought it to a very positive conclusion.”- Michael G. -
“They always kept me informed, responded quickly to questions I had, & gave me excellent guidance.”
“I have never met a more harder-working and tenacious legal team.”- Janet G. -
“Kristin Pittman has truly been a blessing in the extremely stressful car accident I was involved in, which had left me in complete distress.”
“- Chandler S.I felt like this was the first time through this whole process that someone actually cared about what happened to me and wanted to fight for me, not just for the win but for me entirely.
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“Dave and Kristin are awesome! They are kind and treat you like family.”
“I highly recommend their Personal Injury Attorney services in Florida!”- Steve I. -
“Kristin is professional & compassionate.”
“I highly recommend Pittman Law Firm, P.L., to serve your needs.”- Cecilia P.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip & Falls
Slip and fall accidents can lead to severe injuries and chronic pain. Regardless of what caused your slip and fall accident, the impact your body takes in a fall can be traumatic. The most common injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident include the following:
- Broken Bones: Falling onto appendages or using an arm or leg to break your fall can lead to bone fractures and severe bone damage.
- Spinal Injuries: When someone falls backward, which can happen in slipping accidents, it's not uncommon to land on one's back. Falls, where one's back is impacted, can lead to herniated discs and vertebrae fractures.
- Facial Injuries: During slip and fall accidents, falling on one's face is not uncommon. If your face strikes the ground, you can experience broken teeth, serious cuts, and jaw and nose fractures.
- Neck Injuries: Neck injuries can occur from the impact even if you break your fall with your arms and legs. Whiplash is a common neck injury that happens when the delicate tendons and nerves in the neck are damaged from forceful back-and-forth movement.
- Concussions & Traumatic Brain Injury: When your head collides with a hard surface, the violent impact can cause brain injury. Even if the head doesn't impact a surface, the force of the impact can shake the brain enough to cause trauma.
- Chronic Pain: Falling can lead to severe injury, and while your body can heal from the trauma, many victims experience long-term pain from their injuries.
In addition to these physical injuries, victims may also face psychological impacts such as anxiety and depression, stemming from the trauma of their fall or the stress of dealing with ongoing pain and medical treatments. Navigating day-to-day activities might become challenging, and returning to work or engaging in previously enjoyed activities can seem daunting. The ripple effects of a slip and fall accident are extensive, emphasizing the importance of securing the right legal support to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of the injury.
Common Slip & Fall Locations in Fort Myers
Fort Myers is home to a variety of popular locations that, while charming, may inadvertently host potential hazards for slips and falls. Local shopping malls and marketplaces, bustling with foot traffic, often harbor hidden dangers like wet floors or uneven tiles. Similarly, tourist attractions, which bring in visitors from near and far, are prone to experiencing slip and fall accidents due to overcrowding or insufficient maintenance. With these areas being central to Fort Myers' social and economic life, navigating them becomes a priority for both safety and legal reasons.
Residential neighborhoods, often featuring lush greenery and intricate pathways, may also pose risks when not properly maintained. Property owners must regularly inspect their premises for potential threats, adhering to city ordinances. For residents and visitors, knowing these risks and their rights is essential. The legal practice at Pittman Law Firm, P.L. focuses on advocating for those affected by these accidents, ensuring that Fort Myers remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.