A slip and fall accident is a common type of premise liability case in Cocoa, Florida. It happens when someone gets hurt, usually because they fell on someone else’s property. The fall is often caused by a property owner’s negligence.
If you have slipped or fallen on someone else’s property in Cocoa, FL, call Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers. Our Cocoa slip and fall accident lawyers can explain your rights after this type of accident. You may be entitled to compensation.
Contact our office at 470-801-3000 to schedule a free consultation today with our Cocoa slip and fall accident attorney.
How Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Slip and Fall Accident In Cocoa, FL
Slip and fall accident cases can be complex in Cocoa, FL. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, you may not be sure where to start when asking for damages. Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers can help you navigate a legal case and insurance claim.
Our Cocoa personal injury lawyers have over 75 years of combined experience. We have recovered tens of millions for our injured clients since opening our law firm in 2020.
When you hire us to handle your case, we will:
- Investigate the cause of the slip and fall
- Collect evidence to support your case
- Identify the property owner and any other responsible parties
- File an insurance claim and negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Calculate your damages
- File a personal injury lawsuit
- Go to trial on your behalf
Speaking with a Cocoa slip and fall accident attorney can significantly increase your chances of recovering damages. Call us to set up a time to discuss your case today.
How Common Are Slip And Fall Accidents In Cocoa, FL
Cocoa, FL, is part of Brevard County. According to the Florida government, there were 113 deaths caused by accidental falls in Brevard County in 2022. This was an average rate of 10.1 per 100,000 people. This is slightly less than the statewide rate of 12.2 per 100,000.
These falls result in injuries ranging from relatively minor to severe.
What Is My Slip And Fall Case Worth?
Every slip and fall case has a different value. If you have suffered serious and debilitating injuries, then your case is probably worth more than someone who has suffered minor injuries. However, that is not necessarily always the case.
Generally, cases are worth more when:
- You have permanent injuries
- Your injuries are severe and life-altering
- Your injuries are painful and/or require ongoing medical treatment
- You are unable to work or earn the same income as before the accident
- Your injury has affected your overall quality and enjoyment of life
- You are unable to perform the same tasks and duties as before the accident
- You have suffered mentally and emotionally because of the injury or accident
We can help you calculate your case value because it can be tricky. This calculation will guide our negotiations and help us understand what is and is not a fair settlement offer.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available To Slip And Fall Accident Victims?
Slip and fall accident victims can request compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are money that is supposed to compensate a victim for their losses. These can be either actual and present losses or predicted future losses.
Compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for financial losses. This type of damage is pretty easy to calculate because it is usually tied to a bill, pay stub, or estimate.
The most common economic damages in a slip and fall case are:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Pharmaceutical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
Economic damages can also include miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses, such as increased childcare or transportation costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are non-financial losses. Often called pain and suffering, this type of payment is usually for emotional harm.
Examples of non-economic damages are:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Inconvenience
- Mental illness caused by a fall or injury
In many cases, non-economic damages may exceed economic damages. There are several ways to calculate non-economic damages, and a lawyer can help you do so.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?
Lawyers who handle slip and fall cases practice personal injury law. Most personal injury lawyers work for a contingency fee.
A contingency fee is an arraignment where the lawyer takes a percentage of the final settlement or judgment. This percentage is their fee. They will agree on the percentage at the beginning of the case and it will vary depending on the type of work that is necessary.
If the client doesn’t get any damages at the end of the case, then the lawyer doesn’t get paid. This incentivizes lawyers to work hard because their interests are directly aligned with the client. It also benefits the client because they won’t need to pay costly attorneys fees out of pocket along the way.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Slip And Fall Accident In Florida?
Yes, you usually recover some money if you are blamed for causing the slip and fall accident. This law is called comparative fault.
Under comparative fault, you can recover money as long as you are 50% or less responsible for the accident. If you are 51% or more responsible, you cannot recover any money at all.
If you are blamed for the slip and fall but are less than 51% responsible, you will get compensation that is proportionate to the defendant’s amount of fault.
For example, if the defendant is 60% responsible for causing the slip and fall, then you can recover 60% of your damages. You are not entitled to the remaining 40% because you were 40% at fault.
It’s always best to protect yourself from getting blamed after an accident so that you can recover the most money. Hiring a lawyer as soon as you get hurt is one of the best ways to do so. A slip and fall accident lawyer will advise you on what to say to avoid admitting fault. They will also be a barrier between you and the property owner or their insurance agency.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
You need a lawyer who understands how your injury has impacted you. We have experience working with clients suffering from all different types of injuries, even catastrophic and life-altering ones. Sometimes, we work with loved ones to bring a wrongful death case after someone has died because of a slip and fall.
Some of the most common types of injuries after a slip and fall accident are:
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Sprains and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Cuts and bruises
With your permission, we will request and review your medical records. Our work often includes speaking with your health providers when necessary. This will help us collect evidence to support your case.
What Causes Most Slip and Fall Accidents In Cocoa, Florida?
Most slip and falls happen because there is an unsafe condition on a property. Property owners are obligated to ensure their property is safe for visitors and guests.
Common causes of slip and falls are:
- Slippery or wet floors
- Uneven or cracked floors
- Bad lighting
- Lack of handrails on the stairs
- Unsecured rugs
- Debris or obstructions in a walkway
- Loose floorboards
Slip and falls can happen anywhere, but often occur in places of business like stores and restaurants.
How Do I Prove Negligence After A Slip And Fall Accident In Florida?
In order to prove a property owner’s negligence in a slip and fall case, you need to produce evidence of four elements:
- Duty
- Breach
- Causation
- Damages
The main crux of a slip and fall negligence case is proving that you were lawfully present on the property (such as a visitor or guest) and got hurt because of something unsafe. If a property owner knew about the unsafe condition and failed to fix it or warn you about it, it is easier to show that they were negligent.
However, in some cases, even if they aren’t aware of an unsafe condition, they can still be held responsible. That’s because a property owner generally must inspect their property for safety hazards, particularly if it is open to the public.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
In Florida, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you fail to do so before the statute of limitations expires, you will be barred from recovering damages for your injuries and losses.
Contact Our Cocoa Slip And Fall Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you are ready to get started on your case, call our Cocoa slip and fall accident lawyers at Norden Leacox Car Accident And Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
We are available to discuss the legal process, our law firm in Cocoa, FL, and the details of your case. There is no pressure during this consultation and no risk of getting more information for free.