Practice Areas Slip & Falls Slip And Falls In Malls And Public Areas

Boca Raton Attorneys Representing Victims in Premises Liability Claims

There are many malls and other shopping areas throughout South Florida. Customers usually expect these businesses to provide a safe shopping experience, but unfortunately, many people are injured in slip and fall accidents in stores each year. In many instances, though, the falls are preventable and only occur because of the property owner’s carelessness. If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, you might be able to recover compensation and should speak to a lawyer regarding your rights. The dedicated Boca Raton slip and fall lawyers at The Grife Law Firm can bring claims based on slip and falls in malls and public areas.

Causes of Slip and Falls in Malls and Public Areas

Numerous factors can cause slip and fall accidents in a mall or another public area. For example, if a floor has recently been mopped and is wet, it can lead to a fall, especially if no signs warning of the floor’s condition are posted. Similarly, if it is raining, water may be tracked inside by customers, making floors slippery. A floor may also be slippery due to liquid that spilled or leaked onto a floor or debris like food, lotion, or other viscous substances. In some instances, a property owner may be directly responsible for the condition that causes a person to fall, such as when slippery flooring material is used, or a floor is coated with wax or another substance that makes it slick.

Damages Awarded in Slip and Fall Cases

Slip and falls in malls and public areas can cause serious injuries that are painful and cause financial distress. As a result, many people hurt in falls seek damages from the party responsible for a fall in a premises liability lawsuit. Usually, the property owner will be named as a defendant, and the plaintiff will assert a negligence claim. In Florida, a plaintiff alleging negligence must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, the defendant breached the duty, and the plaintiff suffered actual harm that was proximately caused by the breach.

Multiple factors will affect both the duty owed and the evidence that the plaintiff must produce to demonstrate a breach in a case arising out of a slip and fall in a mall or public area. Broadly speaking, business owners have a duty to prevent people who lawfully enter their property from sustaining foreseeable harm. This requires property owners to warn about known dangers and remove any harmful conditions of which they are aware.

In cases in which a fall was caused by a condition that the defendant either created or knew to exist, the plaintiff must produce evidence demonstrating the defendant’s knowledge of the condition and failure to prevent it from hurting visitors. If harm is caused by transitory substances, such as liquid or debris, however, Florida Statute 768.0755 dictates that the plaintiff must show that the defendant had actual or constructive knowledge of the condition. This requires evidence regarding the length of time for which the substance existed and proof that such conditions were a regular occurrence at the defendant’s business and therefore were foreseeable.

Meet With a Trusted Boca Raton Attorney

Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, but often there are reasonable measures that property owners can take to prevent such incidents from happening. If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident at a mall or public area, the owner of the property may owe you compensation, and it is advisable to consult a lawyer. At The Grife Law Firm, our premises liability lawyers take pride in helping injured people seek compensation for their losses. We often assist people hurt in slip and fall accidents in the area around Boca Raton, where we have an office. We also represent injured people in lawsuits in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and West Palm Beach. You can contact us via our form online or at 855-998-0770 to set up a conference.