St. Petersburg Slip and Fall Attorney

Experienced St. Petersburg attorneys helping victims of slip and fall accidents get the justice and compensation they deserve

A slip and fall accident in St. Petersburg can turn your life upside down, leaving you with painful injuries and unexpected bills that keep coming. Unfortunately, figuring out who’s at fault isn’t always simple. 

You might be dealing with a landlord, a management company, or even a maintenance crew that wants to avoid taking responsibility. And while you’re recovering, you might find yourself facing uncooperative property owners who don’t take your calls or pressure from insurance companies to settle fast—and often for far less than you need to fully recover. 

If you’re in this situation, you don’t have to handle it alone. At Palmer Lopez, our experienced St. Petersburg slip and fall attorneys know how to cut through the red tape and get you the compensation you deserve. We’ll gather evidence, handle the negotiations, and make sure you’re not pressured into accepting a lowball settlement.

Case results

Medical negligence $2.5 million

Medical negligence $2.4 million

Automobile accident $1.49 million

Automobile accident $1.118 million

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Who’s liable for a slip and fall accident in Florida?

In Florida, as in other states, liability for a slip and fall injury often falls on the property owner or manager, but other parties may also be held responsible depending on the circumstances. 

For example, in places like hotels, potentially liable parties might include:

• Hotel owner or management company. If a hotel guest slips in the lobby because of a spill that wasn’t promptly cleaned or marked with a caution sign, the hotel’s owner or management company may be liable. They are responsible for ensuring common areas are hazard-free and safe.
• Third-party contractor. Many hotels hire outside contractors for maintenance, cleaning, and repairs. If a slip and fall results after a cleaning crew leaves water or debris on the floor or a maintenance company fails to properly service a revolving door, leading to an automatic door accident, both the contractor and the hotel could be held liable for any injuries that occur.
• Individual employees. If a hotel staff member sees a spill in a hallway but ignores it, or if they create a hazard (like leaving equipment in a walkway), the hotel could be liable for the negligence of its employees under Florida law.

To pursue a successful claim, you’ll need to show that the responsible party knew (or should have known) about a dangerous condition and failed to address it or provide adequate warning.

How do you prove negligence after a slip and fall accident?

Negligence is the key to any successful slip and fall case. To get compensation, you’ll need to prove that the property owner or another responsible party failed to keep the premises reasonably safe and that failure directly led to the accident and your resulting injuries and damages. 

This will require certain types of evidence, including:

Collecting and organizing these pieces of evidence is essential to establishing a strong case for negligence in a slip and fall lawsuit, but this often isn’t a straightforward task. An experienced attorney has the knowledge and resources needed to act quickly to secure crucial evidence, like surveillance footage or maintenance records, before it’s lost or deleted.

How much are most slip and fall settlements?

Slip and fall settlements vary significantly depending on the severity of the injury and how it impacts your daily life, ability to work, and overall quality of life. For example, injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, or broken hips (especially in older adults) that require extensive treatment generally lead to higher settlements. 

These types of catastrophic injuries often result in ongoing medical care, long-term rehabilitation, and substantial time off work, all of which drive up the total compensation.

Aside from covering medical bills and lost wages, settlements can also include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any reduced earning capacity if the injury has lasting effects. Calculating these damages accurately—especially for long-term or permanent injuries—requires careful assessment of both current and future costs. 

An experienced attorney can be invaluable in estimating these damages by working with medical experts, reviewing records, and building a solid case to secure the full compensation you deserve. With their guidance, you can ensure that all aspects of your injury and its impact on your life are accounted for in the settlement.

Why are slip and fall cases hard to win?

Slip and fall cases can be difficult to win because proving liability hinges on demonstrating that the property owner was negligent in a way that directly led to the accident. Unlike other personal injury cases, like car accidents caused by drunk driving or medical malpractice caused by misdiagnoses, liability in slip and fall accidents isn’t always clear. 

Below are some factors that often make slip and fall cases more challenging for victims:

1. Knowledge of hazard. You must prove that the property owner or responsible party knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition but failed to address it. This can be challenging, as owners often argue they were unaware of the hazard or that it appeared suddenly, leaving them no time to respond.
2. Reasonable care. Property owners are not required to guarantee absolute safety but only to take “reasonable care” in maintaining their premises. This standard can be subjective, and owners may argue they met this responsibility by following regular cleaning or maintenance schedules.
3. Comparative negligence. The property owner may claim the victim was partly or wholly responsible for the fall—by being distracted, wearing inappropriate footwear, or ignoring warning signs. If a victim is found partially at fault, their compensation will be reduced under Florida’s comparative negligence rules according to their degree of fault. It’s important to note that you can’t recover any compensation if you’re determined to be more than 50% at fault for the accident.
4. Documentation and evidence. Many slip and fall cases simply lack solid evidence, like video footage or independent witness accounts, which makes it harder to prove negligence. Key evidence, such as accident reports or maintenance records, might be controlled by the property owner and can be difficult to access without an attorney’s help.

While this may seem overwhelming, remember that if you’re a slip and fall accident victim, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Working with an experienced attorney can make all the difference—they know how to gather evidence quickly, build a compelling case, and negotiate with property owners and insurance companies on your behalf to get the compensation you deserve.

Why Palmer Lopez is the right choice for your St. Petersburg slip and fall case

Slip and fall expertise

Slip and fall cases require a deep understanding of premises liability law. With extensive experience in these cases, we have the knowledge and skill to overcome the challenges that can arise and build a case that stands up to scrutiny. You’ll have a team that understands how to address and resolve the specific complications that often come with slip and fall claims.

Client-centered approach

We’re not just here to represent you; we’re here to support you from start to finish. From answering questions to coordinating with medical providers to negotiating with insurance companies, we approach every case with the care and attention our clients deserve.

Direct access to your attorney

We believe in straightforward communication with our clients. At Palmer Lopez, we make sure you can reach your attorney directly—no layers of intermediaries, just clear and open communication whenever you need it. We’ll keep you updated on your case’s progress so you’re always informed and involved.

Proven results

We’re dedicated to securing maximum compensation for our clients. Our track record in slip and fall cases speaks for itself, with substantial settlements and verdicts achieved for injured clients across Florida. We won’t settle for a quick resolution if it means compromising on the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost income, ongoing care, and more.

Looking for the best St. Petersburg slip and fall attorney near you?

If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury or wrongful death after a slip and fall caused by negligence, the knowledgeable St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys at Palmer Lopez are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. 

We have more than 35 years of experience in premises liability and slip and fall cases, so we know what tactics property owners and insurance companies use to minimize or deny claims. From disputing the cause of the accident to questioning the extent of your injuries, they attempt to undervalue your claim at every turn, but we know how to effectively combat these strategies.

Ready to learn more about your legal options?

Contact Palmer Lopez today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation you need to recover.