You’re walking through a grocery store when a wet floor with no warning sign suddenly sends you crashing to the ground. In an instant, your life changes: pain, medical bills, and lost work pile up. At Souder Law, we aggressively fight to hold negligent property owners accountable and relentlessly pursue the full justice and compensation you deserve. We don’t back down from insurance companies. We demand justice for every client we represent in South Florida.
What Are Slip & Fall Accidents?
Slip and fall accidents are a serious public health issue in Florida. Each year, thousands of Floridians are hospitalized because of fall-related injuries, and older adults face the highest risk. These accidents are not just “minor mishaps”; they are a leading cause of catastrophic injuries and fatalities across the state. Slip and fall cases are part of premises liability, which makes property owners responsible for keeping their premises safe. Under Florida Statute §768.0755, if you slip on a “transitory foreign substance” (like water, oil, or food), you must prove that the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard and failed to correct it. Constructive knowledge can be shown if the spill was there long enough to be discovered or if it happened regularly enough to be foreseeable. In general, a slip and fall claim in Florida must show:
- The property owner owed you a legal duty of care
- The property owner breached that duty (e.g., unsafe flooring, lack of warning signs)
- The breach directly caused your fall and resulting injuries
- You suffered measurable damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering)
Common Causes of Slip & Fall Accidents:
- Wet, oily, or slippery floors without warning signs
- Uneven flooring, loose tiles, or cracked pavement
- Torn or loose carpeting creating tripping hazards
- Broken or missing handrails on stairways
- Clutter, debris, or fallen objects in walkways
- Poor lighting that obscures hazards
- Potholes or unsafe parking lot surfaces
- Spilled food, drinks, or merchandise in stores
- Damaged or broken steps on stairways
- Slippery surfaces near pools or public facilities
How We Handle Your Slip & Fall Accident Claim
At Souder Law, we begin by conducting a thorough investigation. We secure all evidence quickly, including photographs of the scene, surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements, before they can disappear. We work closely with medical providers to document the full extent of your injuries, from broken bones to long-term spinal damage, ensuring nothing is overlooked when calculating the impact on your health and livelihood.
We build a case that proves the property owner’s negligence under Florida law, including whether they had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard. We challenge insurance companies directly, using expert testimony, accident reconstruction, and damage assessments to demand full compensation. Our focus is on protecting your rights and ensuring you recover not just for medical bills, but also for lost wages, future care, and pain and suffering.
Damages Available in Slip & Fall Accidents
After a slip and fall accident, it is critical to identify all liable parties, from property owners and managers to maintenance companies and contractors, because each may share responsibility for your injuries. Overlooking a liable party can mean leaving compensation on the table. Florida law allows victims to pursue damages that reflect not only their immediate medical costs but also the long-term impact of their injuries on daily life and financial stability.
Once liability is established, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)
What if I Was Partly at Fault for the Accident?
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation if you were 50% or less at fault for the fall, but your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your award is reduced by 20%.
Steps to Take Immediately After Slip & Fall Accidents:
- Report the accident to the property owner or manager and request a written incident report
- Document the scene with photos of hazards, surroundings, and your injuries
- Gather witness names and contact information if anyone saw the fall
- Preserve evidence such as clothing or footwear worn at the time of the accident
- Seek medical treatment immediately, even if injuries seem minor
- Follow all medical advice and keep records of treatment and expenses
- Avoid giving statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney
- Contact a qualified slip and fall lawyer to protect your rights and build your claim
Find Out What Your Case is Worth (At No Cost)
Souder Law is relentless in fighting for those injured in slip and fall accidents across Jupiter, Palm Beach County, and throughout South Florida. Our team carefully evaluates every detail of your case to demand the full compensation you deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means it costs you nothing to pursue justice: no fees unless we win for you. Contact us today for a free case review and find out what your slip and fall claim may be worth.
