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We understand the strain that medical bills and lost income can put on you and your family, and we’ve helped thousands of clients just like you put their lives back together after an accident. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you have the right to seek the maximum compensation that our laws allow.
Many slip and fall victims wonder, “How much is my case worth?” While no attorney can promise a specific amount, an experienced Jacksonville slip and fall attorney can estimate your potential compensation based on the details of your case and past local outcomes.
Every slip and fall case is different, but some of the most common types of compensation awarded include:
Medical Costs: In addition to the medical bills you’ve accumulated in the immediate aftermath of your accident, you may also be entitled to compensation for the cost of medical care that is expected to be necessary in the future.
Loss of Income: You may be entitled to recover wages and salary you have lost as a direct result of your accident injuries, as well as income you would have been able to make in the future if you had not been injured due to the negligence or carelessness of someone else.
Loss of Property: Compensation may be recoverable to repairs to or replacement of property, such as your vehicle or other belongings, that was damaged in the accident.
Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages may be recoverable, including loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, or mental anguish.
A slip on a wet floor or a trip on a broken sidewalk is usually just embarrassing. We’ve all taken a spill and then dusted ourselves off and gone on with our lives. But it doesn’t always work out that way. Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost work time, and other damages. The process can be complicated, though. It’s best to consult an experienced premises liability attorney with experience handling slip and fall cases right away.
At Harrell & Harrell, we have decades of experience fighting for injury victims in and around Jacksonville. We’re committed to getting the best possible settlement or verdict for every client. You can schedule a free consultation with a slip and fall attorney in our office right now by calling (904) 251-1111 or filling out the contact form on this page.
“Slip and fall” broadly describes accidents that happen when a person slips or trips. A slip and fall claim arises when someone else was responsible for that slip or trip, usually because the owner or person in control of the property where the accident happened didn’t maintain it in a safe condition.
Slip and fall accidents can happen in many ways, including:
Slipping on a wet surface, such as a floor that has been freshly mopped or where a drink has been spilled
Tripping on a broken or loose stair
Tripping on a loose floorboard or due to an unexpected change in the level of the floor
Falling due to a loose railing or unguarded drop-off
Tripping on objects left on the floor, sidewalk, or other area people are walking through, such as toys or tools
Tripping due to inadequate lighting, such as in an apartment complex stairwell
Tripping on something stretched across a walking area, such as a garden hose or electrical cord
In Florida, proving negligence requires showing that the property owner owed a duty of care, breached that duty, caused the accident, and that the accident resulted in damages. In slip and fall and other premises liability cases, the level of care a property owner must provide depends on the status of the injured person—whether they are an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
Invitees include customers in stores, hotel guests, and others visiting a business. Public invitees are those on public land for its intended use, such as someone picnicking in a park. Property owners owe invitees the highest duty of care, meaning they must fix known or foreseeable hazards or clearly warn visitors about them.
Licensees may be invited or uninvited. An invited licensee is typically a social guest in someone’s home, and property owners must take reasonable care to keep the premises safe for them. Uninvited licensees have limited protections and are generally treated similarly to trespassers under Florida premises liability law in most situations under the statutes today.
In Florida, landowners owe trespassers only a minimal duty, requiring them to avoid willful or wanton harm. The exception involves children. If a property owner knows that children may trespass, they must use reasonable care and warn of known dangers. In some cases, the duty is even higher. An experienced injury lawyer can clarify your situation.
The first step after any injury should always be to assess your injuries and seek medical attention if necessary, or if you’re unsure. That may mean you can’t take every step below. To the extent possible, you should:
A slip and fall accident can cause a wide range of injuries, from cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Some of the most common include:
Sprains — Damage to ligaments that can cause swelling, limited mobility, and ongoing pain.
Fractures — Broken bones that may require casting, surgery, or long-term rehabilitation.
Knee Injuries — Meniscus tears, ligament damage, or joint trauma that can impact mobility.
Spinal Injuries — Back or neck trauma that may lead to chronic pain or nerve-related symptoms.
Concussions — Mild traumatic brain injuries that can affect memory, balance, and cognitive function.
Soft Tissue Injuries — Strains, bruises, or muscle damage that may take weeks or months to heal.
Many of these injuries have an impact that goes beyond temporary pain. They may result in lost work time, the need for ongoing medical treatment or physical therapy, and sometimes even permanent limitations.
If you’ve been seriously injured on someone else’s premises in Jacksonville, you’ll want to work with an experienced slip and fall lawyer.
I’m so thankful for the team at Harrell & Harrell. They took so much off my hands and truly put me at ease during such a stressful time. Their compassion and professionalism made all the difference.
Outstanding Performance from our paralegal and attorney. Kept us informed every step of the process. Nice, friendly, staff. I would recommend them over any other firm. Couldn’t be happier we chose Harrell & Harrell.
They were always available to assist me during a difficult time and did everything they could to help me. I would definitely recommend them and wouldn’t hesitate to hire them again.
They handled everything from start to finish. Stress free experience. Highly recommend!
Thank you everyone for all you did to make this injury into a positive outcome.
Harrell & Harrell provided me with expert legal services and representation during my case. They were always proactive and responsive to my needs and I truly appreciate their fairness and the respect shown to me and my family.
Absolutely the best Attorneys anywhere. They truly care about you. They are very nice but tigers in the mediation and court room. I recommend them as highly as possible.
I will count on them if I have any further accident and will recommend any one I know to this wonderful Law Firm.
Everyone that was involved in my case were extremely thoughtful, supportive, and extremely hard working. I would definitely have them handle another case should one arise.
Legal affairs and associated proceedings are personal and serious. We are grateful for their representation.
Thank you so very much for all your hard work on my case.
I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for everything that you did for me concerning my case. I truly felt seen and heard. You and your team kept me in informed every step of the way and in turn that gave me a great sense of confidence that I had chosen the right legal team to represent me!
The Grover family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to you and your family for your genuine kindness.
Muchas gracias por su ayuda en todo. Dios te bendiga a usted y su familia.
Great team that’s very informative and caring. I will definitely recommend Harrell & Harrell.
Undoubtedly, I made the right decision in selecting Harrell & Harrell to represent me… I want to thank you for all the hard work you put into my case.
Thank you for everything, you gave me hope.
Thank you for your amazing service.
Very professional helpful and honest and they truly fight for you.
You never want to “need” a lawyer but when you do Harrell & Harrell should be your choice. Walked me through my case, never once did my questions go unanswered.
Thank you for your diligent and conscientious work regarding my case. You were always pleasant, helpful and polite. That was greatly appreciated.
Professional firm, professional staff, professional result.
Very professional and fast updates. No waiting on information and everything in a timely manner.
I was involved in an auto accident and turned to Harrell & Harrell to handle my case. The Team that offered their support to my case did an excellent job to deliver a fair and just settlement for my injuries in this incident.
My most sincere thanks in all you did in representing me for my disability hearing.
I have never been involved in a workman’s comp case and it gave me comfort and security to know that Harrell & Harrell handled everything!
Jerry and I both would like to thank you for everything you have done for us. Your hard work at keeping up with our case and in touch with us at all times.
My sincere thanks in all you did to successfully complete my case. Thank you for your hard work, great service, efficient communication, and lots of support. Your help changed my life!
From start to finish they went above and beyond keeping me informed, answering all my questions, and truly fighting for the best outcome. I’m grateful for the care and support they provided.
The Harrell & Harrell team worked diligently and passionately towards my settlement. They kept explanations simple and made it easy to follow along with everything going on.
Not only highly professional attorneys, but friendly and polished staff throughout the firm. Direct and effective communication during the entire process.
From start to finish, Harrell & Harrell provided outstanding customer service. They truly made me feel heard and understood regarding my case, and their team was always there to guide me through every step of the process.
Every decision was placed in my hands, accompanied by sound legal advice, allowing me to make confident choices. I am incredibly grateful for their compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to my case.
Great people to work with. These lawyers make it there business to be sure you get the settlement you deserve. Frank Gaulden and Holly Berrier are the best!!!
The team never made me think twice. They all made me feel like a partner of the firm, and not just some client! I highly recommend this firm for personal injury.
They kept us posted on our case and got they got the max settlement with out having to go to court. Thank you guys so much.
The Harrell & Harrell team were absolutely incredible, and integral to helping with my Workers Comp case. They were kind, caring, compassionate, and always responsive.
I had an amazing experience with Harrell and Harrell. They kept me informed and in contact throughout the whole process. I’m grateful for everything they have done and highly recommend them!
Excelente trabajo muy agradecida con ustedes gracias por todo. Son los mejores.
“Slip and fall” and “trip and fall” are terms used to describe falls that happen on someone else’s property due to negligent maintenance, failure to warn, or the landowner in some other way not living up to their responsibilities. Some common examples include tripping on a broken stair or floorboard, or slipping on the wet floor of a grocery store.
Getting hurt on someone else’s property doesn’t necessarily mean you have a personal injury claim. To establish a slip and fall claim, you must be able to show that the landowner or person in control of the property failed in their duty to maintain the property in reasonably safe condition, or to warn you of hazards you might not notice. This standard applies whether you’re a customer in a business establishment or a guest in a friend’s home. However, these obligations generally do not extend to trespassers.
If you’re able, gather whatever evidence you can. However, the most important thing to do after a slip and fall injury or any type of injury is to ensure that you get whatever medical care is necessary. If you’re unsure, err on the side of getting checked out by a doctor. Then, you should contact an experienced slip and fall lawyer right away, as important evidence can be lost if you don’t act quickly.
If you’re able, you should photograph the scene of your accident, particularly whatever caused you to slip or trip. If there are witnesses, collect contact information. Make sure you know the name of the business or address of the property where you fell. Look around to see whether there are cameras that may have captured the incident. If so, let your slip and fall attorney know right away, as they will likely have to act quickly to preserve the footage.
It’s important for both your health and your case. Immediately after a fall, you may not realize the extent of your injuries. But, carrying on business as usual can make them worse. And, if you later discover that your injuries are serious and you didn’t see a doctor right away, you may have trouble establishing that the fall was the cause of your injuries.
Yes, you should report the injury to the owner or person responsible for the property. However, you should keep the conversation short and factual. Don’t talk about fault or what you were doing at the time of the fall or share other details that seem harmless but may be used against you. If their insurance carrier calls you, refer them to your slip and fall lawyer.
That’s a job for your slip and fall attorney. Proving liability in a slip and fall case requires showing that the property owner had a legal duty, failed in that duty, and that failure caused your injuries. The owner’s negligence can be established through evidence of the condition of the property, including photos and video, witness testimony, and other evidence.
Damages are different in every case, but some common types of damages awarded in an injury case include lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Your slip and fall lawyer can give you more information about the types of damages that may be available in your particular case.
Florida law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. For most negligence cases, including slip and fall accidents, the current statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury.
However, the law changed on March 24, 2023, and injuries that occurred before that date may still fall under the previous four-year deadline. Because filing deadlines can depend on the details of your case, it is best to speak with an experienced local slip and fall attorney.
It’s best to speak with a slip and fall lawyer before you talk to the insurance company. In fact, your attorney will likely take over communications with the insurance company, meaning that you never speak with them. Insurance companies don’t always play fair, and innocent comments during your conversation could hurt your case. The insurance company may also try to get you to settle quickly, before you know the full extent of your damages.
Most personal injury law firms, such as Harrell & Harrell, work on a contingency basis. That means that legal fees are based on a percentage of the settlement or jury award you receive. You don’t pay any fees upfront, and you also don’t pay any fees if you lose your case. In other words, the slip and fall lawyer only gets paid if you do, and their fees are in proportion to the settlement or verdict they secure for you.
The insurance company rep may make it seem as if they’re trying to help you. Often, they use language like “We want to get that to you as soon as possible,” knowing that you may be in a tough financial spot. But, there’s another reason insurance companies may push hard for a quick settlement. If they get you to enter into a settlement agreement before you know how serious or long-lasting your medical expenses may be, they may pay a lot less than they would when all of the information is available. If that happens, you could later discover the need for costly medical care, or that you’re off work much longer than expected, and have to absorb those costs yourself.
Navigating a personal injury claim can be overwhelming. Our quick, easy-to-understand videos cover the most common questions we hear from clients — so you can feel informed and confident every step of the way.
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