ORLANDO SLIP AND FALL ATTORNEY
A fall can cause a serious injury. The important question is whether a dangerous property condition should have been fixed or warned about.
The Jaspon Firm helps people injured in Orlando because of unsafe floors, walkways, stairs, parking areas, and other hazardous property conditions. Jeremiah Jaspon reviews the facts, preserves evidence, and explains whether a premises-liability claim may be available.
- Direct attorney involvement from Jeremiah Jaspon
- Early help preserving video, incident reports, and witness evidence
- Clear answers about property-owner responsibility and insurance
- No attorney’s fees or costs unless there is a recovery
A serious fall is not “just an accident”
Falls can result in fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, torn ligaments, shoulder and knee injuries, and lasting mobility limitations. Older adults can be especially vulnerable, but anyone can suffer a life-changing injury when a property owner or business fails to address a foreseeable hazard.
Not every fall creates a legal claim. A successful premises-liability case depends on the property condition, why it was dangerous, who controlled the area, what notice existed, whether warnings were provided, and the evidence available after the incident.
Examples of dangerous conditions that can cause a fall
- Wet floors, spills, leaks, or recently mopped surfaces without adequate warnings
- Uneven pavement, broken sidewalks, potholes, loose pavers, and damaged parking lots
- Unsafe stairs, missing handrails, poor lighting, or worn stair treads
- Loose rugs, floor mats, cords, clutter, and merchandise in walkways
- Falling merchandise, unsafe displays, or objects left in customer areas
- Defective elevators, escalators, doors, and entryways
- Unsafe pool decks, hotel areas, restaurants, theme parks, stores, and apartment complexes
- Construction debris, unmarked hazards, or dangerous work areas
What must be proven in a Florida slip-and-fall claim?
In a business-establishment case involving a temporary substance—such as a spill, leak, or other transitory foreign substance—the injured person must prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition and should have taken action to correct it.
Constructive knowledge may be shown when the condition existed long enough that the business should have discovered it through ordinary care, or when the condition occurred regularly enough that it was foreseeable. The law does not eliminate other common-law duties of care related to property possession or control. Read the current Florida premises-liability statute.
Evidence can disappear quickly after a fall
Many businesses have surveillance footage, cleaning logs, inspection records, incident reports, and employee information that may be important to proving notice. Video can be overwritten quickly, and the hazardous condition may be cleaned or repaired shortly after the incident.
- Photos and video of the exact hazard, surrounding area, lighting, and warning signs
- An incident report and the names of employees who responded
- Witness names and contact information
- Surveillance video and photographs from nearby businesses
- Cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and repair records
- Prior incident reports or complaints involving the same dangerous condition
- Medical records linking the injury to the fall
- Damaged shoes, clothing, or other physical evidence
What to do after a slip, trip, or fall
- Get medical care.
Your health comes first. Seek appropriate evaluation, especially for head pain, dizziness, severe pain, numbness, weakness, or inability to bear weight. - Report the incident.
Ask the business, property manager, or owner to prepare an incident report and request a copy or record the report number. - Photograph the condition immediately.
Take pictures of the hazard, floor, spill, lighting, lack of warning signs, stairs, shoes, and visible injuries before conditions change. - Get witness and employee information.
Names and contact details can be valuable if the business later disputes how the fall happened. - Do not give a recorded statement or sign a release without advice.
An insurer may seek information before the injury, evidence, and future treatment needs are understood. - Talk with a premises-liability attorney promptly.
An attorney can request preservation of video and other evidence before it disappears.
Common defenses in slip-and-fall cases
Property insurers often argue that the hazard was open and obvious, that there was adequate warning, that the business had no notice, that the injured person was distracted, or that shoes or a pre-existing condition caused the injury. Those arguments require evidence-based answers; they do not automatically end a claim.
Florida generally applies modified comparative fault in negligence cases. A person’s recovery may be reduced by their share of responsibility, and a person found more than 50% at fault generally cannot recover in a negligence action, subject to statutory exceptions. Each case must be evaluated on its own facts.
Compensation after a serious fall
When a property owner or business is legally responsible, a claim may seek compensation for medical treatment, rehabilitation, future care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, scarring, disability, and other legally recoverable losses. The value depends on liability evidence, the injury, medical documentation, available insurance, and the effect on your life.
How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Florida?
Many Florida negligence claims are subject to a two-year limitations period. However, property ownership, government involvement, lease relationships, and other facts can change the analysis. Do not rely on a general deadline for your specific case. Review the current Florida limitations statute.
Slip and fall questions
Can I sue a store if I slipped on a wet floor?
Possibly, but a fall alone does not prove liability. The issue is whether the business created the hazard or had actual or constructive knowledge of it and should have taken action.
What if there was a warning sign?
A warning sign may be relevant, but it does not automatically resolve the case. Its visibility, placement, the seriousness of the hazard, and the surrounding facts matter.
Should I report a fall if I do not feel seriously hurt right away?
Yes. Report the incident, document the location, and seek appropriate medical advice. Some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Who pays medical bills after a slip and fall?
Possible coverage can include health insurance, medical-payment coverage, or the property owner’s liability insurance, depending on the facts. A case review can identify the likely sources.
How much does a slip-and-fall lawyer cost?
The Jaspon Firm handles injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. There are no attorney’s fees or costs unless there is a recovery.