As an experienced slip and fall attorney in Florida, I have seen countless cases where individuals have suffered serious injuries due to a slip and fall accident. One of the most common mistakes people make after a slip and fall is waiting too long to seek medical treatment. While there is no specific time limit for seeking medical treatment, it is crucial to do so as soon as possible after the accident. Many people are unaware that they can seek medical treatment days, weeks, or even months after a slip and fall accident. However, seeking immediate medical attention can significantly affect the prognosis of your injuries.
This is especially important if you have experienced a slip and fall in a commercial establishment such as a grocery store, mall, or restaurant. In these cases, it is essential to properly document the conditions that caused your fall. From a legal standpoint, it is recommended to seek medical attention within 72 hours of a slip and fall accident. This not only ensures that your injuries are properly treated, but it also strengthens your case against the responsible party. Injuries reported to medical professionals must match the accident reports included in legal claims. Waiting too long to seek medical treatment can be used against you by insurance companies and in your case.
Even if you do not think your injuries are severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor, it is crucial to do so. Injuries from slip and fall accidents may not be immediately apparent and can manifest in the days following the accident. For example, you may not realize that you have fractured a bone or suffered another serious injury when you slipped and fell. It is important to note that not all wet surfaces are dangerous to walk on. However, if the surface is too smooth and becomes wet, there is a risk of slipping, and this can be considered negligent on the part of the property owner. In order to have a successful slip and fall case, the plaintiff must show that their injuries were a direct result of the slip and fall accident.
This means that the victim's injury was "reasonably foreseeable" due to the defendant's negligent conduct. While slip and fall accidents can cause serious medical problems, many individuals are unaware of potential health issues and may not even realize that they need to see a doctor. If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, it is crucial to contact an experienced slip and fall attorney as soon as possible. They can help you gather evidence for your case, including statements, interrogations, or subpoenas. In Florida, unintentional falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among residents over the age of 65. In fact, forty percent of fatal injuries among people age 65 and older are the result of slip and fall accidents. One of the challenges in slip and fall cases is proving negligence on the part of the property owner.
This is where expert witnesses, such as those who specialize in friction coefficients, can be crucial. However, it is not uncommon for establishments to lie and claim that the expert's findings are not representative of the conditions at the time of the fall. In Florida, if a person ingests a transient foreign substance in a business establishment, they must demonstrate that the establishment had knowledge of the condition (either real or constructive) and failed to take steps to remedy it. As an experienced slip and fall lawyer with 38 years of experience, I have seen Florida slip and fall law related to commercial establishments evolve tremendously over the past fifteen years.
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