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Slip-and-fall accidents occur and are over quickly, but the catastrophic damages to accident victims last a lifetime.

Across the United States, slip-and-fall accidents injure victims because others are negligent, especially businesses and services that have a duty to protect their customers. Here are a few recent catastrophic slip-and-fall accidents:

• Fall from an exam table – A truck driver needed a routine physical for work. As part of the physical, his blood needed to be drawn and tested. The clinic’s technician had the truck driver sit on an exam table while drawing the blood. When the tech was finished, she turned away to reach for a bandage. While turned, the driver passed out, and fell forward, breaking his neck in the process. The victim was left paralyzed and unable to perform daily tasks without assistance.
• Fall caused by a broken door – A Naples woman suffered a brain injury and a broken hip when she was knocked down by a broken door at a business she was visiting.
• Fall from a ladder – A Sebring man suffered a serious fracture to his right foot when he fell from a defective ladder.
• Fall from a defective staircase – An elderly Sarasota victim received a head injury when she fell because of a defective staircase.

Slip-and-fall accidents happen when they are least expected and take victims by surprise. The injuries from a fall may be so severe that they become overwhelming as soon as the accident occurs.

Every year, more than 800,000 victims seek emergency intervention for slip and fall injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medical treatment for fall-related injuries totaled $50 billion in a single year. One out of five slip-and-fall accidents causes serious injuries, such as broken bones or head injuries, making it difficult for accident victims to move around.

The CDC also says:

• Falls can cause broken bones, like wrist, arm, ankle, and hip fractures.
• Falls can cause head injuries. These can be very serious, especially if the person is taking certain medicines (like blood thinners). Older people who fall and hit their head should see their doctor right away to make sure they don’t have a brain injury.
• Many people who fall, even if they’re not injured, become afraid of falling. This fear may cause people to cut down on their everyday activities. When people are less active, they become weaker, and this increases their chances of falling. 

What Does Florida Consider a Catastrophic Injury?

Generally, catastrophic injuries refer to those that cause disfigurement or severely limit physical abilities. These include:

• Amputations or the loss of legs, arms, feet, and/or hands
• Paralysis, which may be partial or full
• Significant spinal cord injuries
• Severe burns
• Severe or traumatic brain injuries
• Blindness
• Loss of, or injuries to, other organs 

What you need to know about Florida slip and fall laws

Slip-and-fall accident victims need to know their rights, so they do not have to pay for another’s negligence. Businesses, public property owners, and private property owners have a requirement to protect their visitors from injury. They must prevent the possibility of a slip and fall by establishing and implementing regular maintenance and inspection of floor surfaces. They may be held liable if they knew they had a problem but did not properly address it. 

Florida Statute of Limitations 

Florida has a statute of limitations in which accident victims must take legal action against property owners or business owners. This time limitation is two years from the date of the injury. 

Damages from Florida Catastrophic Injuries 

Should you or a loved one receive catastrophic injuries, Florida law says you may be entitled to damages for accident-related medical expenses, loss of wages, lost earning capacity, pain, and suffering. 

How to Obtain Compensation for Catastrophic Slip-and-Fall Accidents? 

Contact Fort Myers Slip and Fall Lawyer Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. immediately after seeking medical attention. We offer free consultations for you or your family member. There are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a settlement or verdict for you. We may be reached 24/7 at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or contact us online at SpiveyLaw.com. We recommend you do not accept any insurance company settlements without contacting us first. We represent people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of our clients have unique personal injury cases. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.