Have You Had a Slip and Fall Accident?

Sarasota Injury Lawyer Maria Gerber Will Fight for Your Right to Compensation

Slip and FallWhile you are running errands, going shopping or enjoying a fun evening out, you probably are not thinking extra carefully about watching your step. You expect that when you enter a public place, the premises will be safe and free of obstacles. You expect that the business owners will appreciate their duty to protect their customers, so when you go to the grocery store, the coffee shop or a movie theater, you expect without question that you will be safe. The last thing a restaurant or shop patron might expect upon entry is to suffer a serious injury from a slip and fall accident. Sarasota accident lawyer Maria Gerber has seen enough slip and fall accidents, however, to know that these types of accidents can cause very serious personal injury or even death. The Gerber Law Group, P.A. provides our clients with legal representation that is personal, yet aggressive. Contact Maria Gerber right away for a FREE consultation if you have suffered a slip and fall accident and you believe someone else is at fault.

Slip and fall accidents can occur if a business owner or property manager fails to maintain walkways properly, or if a hazard such as spilled liquid appears but the business owner or property manager fails to remove it or warn patrons. Some hazards that can cause slip and fall accidents include:

  • Wet floors
  • Poorly constructed steps
  • Torn carpeting
  • Poor lighting
  • Concealed or non-obvious objects in the walkway, such as electrical cords, power lines, door jambs and door lips
  • Poorly maintained walkways
  • Uneven flooring or walkways

Slip and Fall Statistics

According to the National Safety Council, 20,600 fall-related deaths occurred in 2007. Further statistics are just as alarming:

  • Over one million people endure slip and fall accidents each year
  • Slip and fall accidents are the number one reason for an emergency room visit
  • One quarter of all slip and fall accidents occur in the workplace
  • Slip and falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury and death behind car accidents
  • These types of accidents cost the U.S. around $36 billion annually
  • One third of people over age 65 will have a slip and fall accident each year
  • People over age 75 are six times more likely to die from a slip and fall injury than any other group

A slip and fall accident can have debilitating and life-changing consequences, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and broken bones. In fact, falls account for almost 30 percent of all traumatic brain injuries. Elderly people are most likely to suffer spinal cord injuries because of a fall than because of any other factor. Injuries from slip and fall accidents include:

Property Owner Responsibility

Property owners and tenants alike have a responsibility to ensure that their business premises are safe for the public or for visitors. If you have business to conduct on another party’s property, the law requires that other party to divulge any outstanding safety hazards prior to your visit. If you have suffered a serious slip and fall injury that someone could have prevented, you may be eligible for compensation to cover damages such as:

  • Lost wages and diminished earning ability
  • Pain, suffering and diminished quality of life
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Physical therapy and occupational training

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident

If you have been a victim of a slip and fall, documentation is important. If possible, keep your footwear, your soiled or torn clothing (without washing or removing stains) and photos of dangerous condition, such as spillage or wet flooring. If physically able, complete an accident/incident report at the time of the injury or return to the location at the earliest possible date to report the incident to the appropriate personnel and complete the necessary paperwork.

The amount of compensation you receive depends on the specific circumstances, but the Gerber Law Group, P.A. is dedicated to getting you the justice you deserve. Sarasota injury attorney Maria Gerber and her staff are ready to provide you with personal, yet aggressive legal representation. Proving that someone else is responsible for your slip and fall can be difficult, and having knowledgeable and experienced legal counsel in such a case is important. Maria Gerber is both experienced and knowledgeable, and she will obtain justice for you and your family in your time of need.

Contact the Gerber Law Group, P.A. today for a FREE consultation if you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident. Unlike large companies, we treat our clients in a personal and caring way. You will always work directly with a lawyer. With offices in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, the Gerber Law Group, P.A.  serves the southwest coast of Florida.

NO FEE UNLESS WE RECOVER MONEY FOR YOU.

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