Slip and Fall Lawyer
Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
Injured After a Fall? Our South Florida Attorneys Can Help.
Slips, trips, and falls can happen anywhere, at any time. If you were hurt because a property wasn’t kept safe, you may have a right to compensation for your medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, P.A., we have over 70 years of experience representing injured individuals and ensuring that they receive the compensation they need to move forward. Our compassionate, dedicated legal services have resulted in a track record worth millions of dollars. Contact us and let our team of nationally recognized attorneys advocate for you.
What To Do After a Slip and Fall Injury
- Seek medical treatment
See a doctor as soon as possible. It helps you get the right treatment and creates a record of your injuries if you decide to file a claim.
- Report the incident
Notify the property owner and ask for a copy of the written accident report.
- Document everything
Take photos that show the hazard, the area where you fell, and any unsafe conditions. Keep the shoes and clothes you were wearing; they may be useful evidence.
- Identify witnesses
Ask for the names and contact details of anyone who saw your fall or the unsafe conditions.
- Call an attorney
Insurance companies move fast on behalf of the property owner. You’ll need an attorney to handle communication, investigate the scene, and protect your claim from the start.
OUR results
$41 Million
PREMISES LIABILITY
$41,000,000.00 verdict for Jim Schnurr, the former chief accountant of the United States Security and Exchange Commission, after Mr. Schnurr became a quadriplegic resulting from a bicycle accident while traveling along a bike path in his community in Jupiter, Florida.
$6.5 Million
PREMISES LIABILITY
$6.5 Million Dollars in an personal injury negligence case based on an amusement ride accident.
$2.5 Million
PREMISES LIABILITY
Our client was watching a baseball game when she was hit between the eyes by a wild pitch coming out of the bullpen. The jury found that the protective screen was too low to prevent the injury, which resulted in a broken nose and chronic migraine headaches.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents?
Hazardous property conditions are a leading cause of slip and fall accidents, resulting in thousands of preventable injuries every year. According to the CDC, more than 2 million older adults visit emergency departments annually for fall-related injuries, and around 650 lose their lives as a result. If you’re wondering whether unsafe conditions may have contributed to your fall, here are some common hazards that often lead to serious injuries:
- Wet, icy, or otherwise slippery surfaces
- Poor lighting, or a lack of lighting
- Uneven surfaces (such as large cracks in floors or sidewalks)
- Unsecured electrical wires and cords
- Cluttered hallways and floors
- Loose or torn carpeting, rugs, or mats
- Broken or missing handrails on stairs or ramps
- Leaks or spills that aren’t cleaned up promptly
- Lack of warning signs for known hazards
- Poorly maintained elevators or escalators
When property owners ignore unsafe conditions, they put you at risk. At Schlesinger Law Offices, our attorneys have decades of experience investigating unsafe conditions, proving negligence, and securing compensation for those injured due to a property owner’s carelessness.
Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?
Every property owner has a duty to maintain safe conditions and protect visitors from preventable harm. However, some locations are more prone to accidents because of constant foot traffic, wet surfaces, or poor maintenance practices. From busy restaurants to hotel walkways, unsafe conditions can develop quickly when regular inspections are neglected. Here are a few common places where falls occur and commonly occurring hazards:
- Bars and restaurants: spilled drinks, cluttered floors, dim lighting or uneven walkways can cause serious accidents.
- Grocery stores, shopping malls, and retail stores: leaks, damaged flooring, or poor lighting can create dangerous conditions for customers.
- Hotels and resorts: wet pool decks, slippery tiles, or poorly maintained stairways can lead to preventable injuries.
- Parking lots and garages: cracked pavement, potholes, or inadequate lighting are common hazards.
- Sidewalks, pathways, and staircases: uneven concrete, loose handrails, or missing warning signs can cause falls.
- Schools and college campuses: neglected maintenance, wet hallways, or outdoor hazards can injure students, staff, and visitors.
Case Example: In 2024, a jury awarded $2.75 million to a customer who slipped at an Outback Steakhouse and suffered severe, life-changing hip injuries. This underscores how quickly a business’s failure to follow basic safety procedures can lead to serious harm. Whether your fall happened in a business, a public area, or on private property, the key question is whether the responsible party failed to maintain safe conditions.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, we can investigate the cause of your fall, identify who was responsible, and take action to hold them accountable.
What Injuries Can Be Caused by a Fall?
Every slip and fall accident is different. The severity of injuries after a fall depends on the type of hazard, the force of impact, and the person’s age and overall health. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or fractured bones, which can be especially dangerous for older adults
- Sprains and strains, often affecting the ankles, wrists, or back
- Torn ligaments, which can cause lasting pain and reduced mobility
- Knee and hip injuries, including dislocations, cartilage tears, or joint damage
- Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or joint separations from bracing a fall
- Lacerations and deep cuts, which can lead to infection, scarring, or disfigurement
- Spinal or nerve injuries, which may result in chronic pain or permanent impairment
These injuries can cause everything from temporary setbacks to life-altering conditions that require long-term care, rehabilitation, and financial support. Understanding how Florida law protects victims of preventable falls is an important step toward holding negligent property owners accountable.
What Does Florida Law Say?
Florida law gives powerful protection to people who are hurt because owners and managers failed to keep their property safe. Owners have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions and to fix or warn about any hazardous conditions that could cause harm. This duty applies to all types of properties, from grocery stores and apartment complexes to hotels, restaurants, and public spaces.
Florida law holds businesses responsible when unsafe conditions, like spills, leaks, holes, or debris, that cause someone to get hurt. To recover compensation, the injured person must show that the property owner failed to correct a hazard within a reasonable amount of time.
Property negligence can take many forms such as:
- Failing to inspect the property regularly
- Ignoring needed repairs or maintenance
- Poor lighting in walkways or stairways
- Not posting warning signs for known hazards
- Allowing clutter, trash, or cords to block pathways
When property owners fail to act responsibly, Florida law allows injured people to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, we’ve been advocating for victims of unsafe premises for decades. We know what evidence to look for, how to prove negligence, and how to hold property owners accountable.
Get Started with a Free Case Review
Our Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyers are prepared to take on your case. During a case review, we go over your rights and answer any questions you may have. Then, if you choose to work with us, we start building a compelling case and aim to handle as much of the legal process as possible, so that you can focus on recovery. Our award-winning team is ready to represent you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Accidents
How do I know if I have a slip and fall case in Florida?
You may have a case if your injury was the result of hazardous conditions that should have been remedied by a property owner. For example, a spill, uneven floor, or poor lighting that wasn’t fixed or properly marked. Florida law holds property owners responsible when negligence leads to injury.
What should I do right after a slip or fall incident?
Your health comes first. Get medical attention immediately, report the incident to the property owner or manager, take photos of the area, collect witness contact information, and call an attorney before speaking with insurance companies.
What are common slip/fall injuries?
Falls can cause head injuries, fractures, sprains, ligament tears, back or spinal injuries, and long-term mobility problems. Even minor injuries can worsen over time and lead to lasting pain or financial hardship.
What does Florida law say about slip and fall liability?
In Florida, businesses owners can be held responsible if they knew about a dangerous condition and didn’t fix it, or if the hazard existed long enough that they should have discovered and repaired it.
Where do most slip and fall accidents happen?
Common locations include restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, parking lots, sidewalks, and apartment complexes. Any property open to the public must be maintained in a reasonably safe condition.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically two years from the date of the accident. If your claim is not filed within the applicable time limit, you may be permanently barred from pursuing your claim, regardless of its merits.
Why should I choose Schlesinger Law Offices for my case?
With over 70 years of experience, Schlesinger Law Offices has a proven record of holding negligent property owners accountable. Our attorneys handle every aspect of your case, from the initial investigation to securing a successful resolution, so you can focus on your recovery.