Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Lakeland
Slip and fall accidents often occur because property owners fail to keep their premises safe for visitors. Negligence may include not cleaning up spills, leaving debris in walkways, failing to fix broken flooring, letting a roof leak to keep making floor wet, stacking merchandise in a dangerous way so it falls, or allowing merchandise to stick out on corners. When these hazards go unaddressed, serious injuries such as fractures, head trauma, or back injuries can result.
If you are hurt in a slip and fall accident in Lakeland, the attorneys at Howell & Thornhill, P.A. can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. Our legal team will investigate the scene, gather evidence of negligence, and gather medical records to document your injuries. We can fight to hold the property owner accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
For a free case evaluation with our proven slip and fall accident attorney Lakeland, FL law firm, contact our law firm online or call us at (863) 293-3166.
Why Choose Our Legal Team for Your Slip and Fall Accident Case
When you are injured in a slip and fall accident, having a trusted local legal team makes all the difference. We are the local slip and fall accident lawyers you can trust, ready to stand beside you, advocate for your rights, and help you move forward with confidence.
Our Law Firm Has Got This
At Howell & Thornhill, P.A., our motto, “We Got This!”, reflects our commitment to fighting for you with experience, compassion, and determination. Our attorneys proudly serve Central Florida, using their deep knowledge of the region and its communities to better understand your needs and challenges.
More Than 120 Years of Combined Legal Experience
With over 120 years of combined legal experience, while practicing in Polk County, our lawyers have successfully represented more than 10,000 people. We are listeners and fighters—attorneys who genuinely care about our neighbors and treat every client with respect and dedication. If you are unable to come to us, our team can travel to meet you wherever you are for your consultation.
Client-Focused Representation in English and Spanish
At Howell & Thornhill, P.A., we work for you, not the insurance companies. We offer free consultations, ensuring that every injured person has access to justice regardless of their financial situation. For our Spanish-speaking clients, we also provide a Spanish-language website to make legal help more accessible.
How Much Is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?
The value of a slip and fall case depends on several key factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your medical treatment, and how the accident has impacted your daily life.
More serious injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, or head trauma, typically result in higher compensation because they often require long-term medical care and may prevent you from returning to work.
Other factors that influence case value include whether the property owner’s negligence clearly caused your fall and whether there were warning signs or hazardous conditions.
Types of Damages You May Be Eligible to Recover
In a slip and fall case, you may be eligible to recover several types of damages.
Economic damages cover financial losses such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. If your injuries limit your ability to work in the future, you may also recover compensation for loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages address the greatest harm, namely the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
In rare cases involving gross negligence or willful misconduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct in the future.
Working with our experienced Lakeland slip and fall accident attorneys can help to ensure that all of your damages are properly documented and pursued.
How Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Slip and fall accidents often happen because property owners fail to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. Under Florida law, property owners and managers have a legal duty to inspect their property, repair dangerous conditions, and warn visitors about potential hazards. When they fail to uphold this duty, serious accidents can occur.
Negligence can take many forms. Common examples include:
- Failing to clean up spills promptly
- Leaving debris or cords in walkways
- Stacking carelessly merchandise so it falls
- Neglecting to fix uneven flooring
- Putting products sticking at low on corners
- Ignoring pot holes in parking lots
- Failing to have handrails for stairs
Poor lighting in parking lots and hallways can also make hazards harder to see, increasing the likelihood of a fall. In many cases, these dangers are entirely preventable if property owners exercise proper care and attention.
Common Locations for Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur nearly anywhere, but certain locations in Lakeland are especially prone to them.
Restaurants and bars are common settings, as spilled drinks, food, and slippery floors create unsafe walking surfaces. Popular local spots such as downtown Lakeland’s restaurants and bars as well as venues along South Florida Avenue and US 98 N often see heavy foot traffic, which can lead to neglected spills or cluttered floors.
Grocery stores and retail establishments are also frequent sites for slip and fall accidents, especially when employees fail to clean up liquids or monitor aisles. In addition, shopping centers like Lakeside Village, parking lots, hotels, and apartment complexes pose significant risks when maintenance is ignored.
When property owners or managers fail to keep these areas safe, they may be held legally responsible for injuries that occur as a result of their negligence.
Liability for Sidewalk Accidents in Lakeland
In Lakeland, liability for sidewalk trip and fall accidents depends on who is responsible for maintaining the area where the injury occurred. In many cases, property owners, businesses, or local government entities may be held accountable if they failed to repair cracks, uneven pavement, or other dangerous conditions they knew existed.
When maintenance is ignored, and someone is injured as a result, that party can be legally liable for the accident victim’s damages.
Proving Slip and Fall Accident Cases
To succeed in a slip and fall claim, an injured person must prove several key legal elements. Each element plays a vital role in showing that the property owner’s negligence directly caused the accident and resulting injuries.
Duty of Care
The first element involves establishing that the property owner owed a duty of care to the injured individual. In Florida, property owners and occupiers are required to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for visitors. The level of duty depends on the visitor’s status. For example, customers in a store are considered invitees and are owed the highest duty of care, while trespassers are owed very little.
Breach of Duty
Next, the injured party must show that the property owner breached this duty. This means proving the owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn others. Common breaches include ignoring a wet floor, failing to repair uneven pavement, or neglecting to provide handrails in stairways.
Causation
The third element, causation, requires proving that the property owner’s negligence directly caused the slip and fall accident and the resulting injuries. The hazard must be the clear reason the injury occurred, not an unrelated factor.
Damages
Finally, the injured person must show that the accident led to measurable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Without proof of harm, a claim cannot succeed.
Most Common Injuries in Slip and Fall Incidents
Slip and fall accidents often lead to a wide range of injuries, some of which can have long-lasting physical and emotional effects.
The severity of injuries depends on several factors, including the height of the fall, the surface involved, and the age or physical condition of the victim. Elderly individuals are especially vulnerable to falls and injuries in Lakeland. While some individuals may recover quickly, others face permanent limitations that affect their ability to work and enjoy daily life.
- Broken bones are one of the most common injuries in slip and fall cases. Victims frequently sustain fractures in the wrists, arms, hips, and ankles when they instinctively try to break their fall. Hip fractures are particularly serious among older adults and can result in extended hospital stays, surgery, and months of rehabilitation.
- Head and brain injuries are also a significant concern. When a person strikes their head during a fall, they can suffer a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries may lead to memory loss, chronic headaches, dizziness, or confusion that can last indefinitely. Even a seemingly minor bump on the head should be evaluated by a doctor, as symptoms sometimes appear days later.
- Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains, and torn ligaments, are common but often overlooked. These injuries can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility, making everyday tasks difficult.
- Back and spinal cord injuries can also occur when a victim lands awkwardly, These injuries may result in herniated discs, nerve damage, or partial paralysis in severe cases.
Many slip and fall victims endure lasting consequences that interfere with their independence and quality of life.
How Howell & Thornhill, P.A., Fights for You After a Slip and Fall Accident
We Communicate and Negotiate with Insurance Companies
After a slip and fall accident in Lakeland, dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming. Insurers may try to minimize payouts or deny valid claims, hoping victims will accept less than they deserve. The experienced legal team at Howell & Thornhill, P.A., is committed to protecting your rights, handling negotiations with insurers, and pursuing the maximum compensation available under the law.
We Gather Evidence Relevant to Your Accident
From the start, our firm’s attorneys conduct a detailed investigation into your accident. We gather crucial evidence—such requesting that the store save surveillance footage – to prove that the property owner’s negligence caused your injuries. This evidence strengthens your case and prevents the insurance company from shifting blame or downplaying your losses.
We Know How to Combat Lowball Settlement Offers
Insurance adjusters may use tactics designed to reduce your compensation, including disputing the severity of your injuries or questioning whether the property owner was truly at fault. The attorneys at Howell & Thornhill, P.A., know these strategies well and counter them with medical records, expert testimony, and financial documentation that accurately show the full extent of your damages.
We’re Ready to Take Your Case to Court
Our legal team also ensures that every category of compensation is pursued, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of future earning capacity. If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, our attorneys will discuss the option of taking your case to court for a jury trial.
We Offer Personalized Guidance Through the Process
Throughout the process, Howell & Thornhill, P.A., provides personalized guidance and constant communication, ensuring you understand your rights and options at every step. By aggressively advocating for your best interests, our experienced lawyers can help level the playing field against powerful insurance companies and work tirelessly to secure the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
Most Important Steps to Take after a Slip and Fall in Lakeland
If you are injured in a slip and fall accident in Lakeland, FL, the actions you take immediately afterward can greatly affect your ability to recover compensation.
- Your health and safety should come first, so follow through with all recommended medical treatment. Additionally, prompt medical evaluations create a record that connects your injuries to the accident.
- Next, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or landlord, and ask for a written report. Be sure to document the scene yourself by taking photos or videos of any hazards that caused your fall (such as wet floors, broken pavement, or lack of handrails) before they are fixed or removed. Keep the names and contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur.
- Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and related expenses, as these will help demonstrate the financial impact of your injuries. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies until you have spoken with our attorneys to know your rights.
- Finally, contact the experienced Lakeland slip and fall accident attorneys at Howell & Thornhill, P.A., right away. Our legal team can work to preserve critical evidence, handle communication with insurers, and ensure your rights are protected while pursuing the maximum compensation available for your injuries.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Accident Attorney Lakeland FL Law Firm
At Howell & Thornhill, P.A., our legal team can work to gather the documentation necessary to prove your slip and fall accident case, to negotiate with insurance adjusters, and to maximize the compensation you recover for your losses. For a free case evaluation with our slip and fall accident attorney Lakeland, FL law firm, contact our law firm online or call us at (863) 293-3166.