Premises liability cases generally fall into one of two categories: Slip and Fall and Negligent Security.

Slip-and-Fall Cases

Slip-and-fall cases involve a claimant who slips and falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on someone else’s property. Slip-and-fall accidents can occur in various places, including inside or outside a building, and on residential, public or commercial premises. The outcome of any slip-and-fall case depends largely on the level of duty of care that the property or building owners owe to the injured party and on the extent of the owner’s knowledge of the dangerous condition.

You may have a slip-and-fall claim if you sustained an injury because of any of the following:

• Dangerous objects in store aisles
• Uneven steps
• Potholes (i.e., in parking lots or on sidewalks)
• Uneven or cracked sidewalks
• Broken tiles or uneven/torn carpeting
• Other structural damages to a building or property that cause a fire or other dangerous condition
• Non-compliance with building codes (i.e., codes regarding the presence of handrails and height guidelines on building structures)

What To Do After a Slip-and_fall Accident

Document: Preserve it! Inspect the area where you fell. What caused you to fall? Be sure to take photographs of the scene and the injury and to preserve any other evidence. Regardless of whether the condition that caused your fall is permanent or semi-permanent (for example, ice on a sidewalk), take pictures so a record of the incident is made.

Get a copy of any incident or accident report that is made. If one is not completed, ask the manager, property owner or other appropriate person to create one. Insist that you are given a copy of what is recorded.

Witnesses: Get the proper information. Did anyone see you fall? Write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of anyone in the vicinity of the incident, both those who saw you fall and others who were there after the incident. You may need them to testify on your behalf.

Even if someone did not actually see the fall, the witness could describe your pain and the conditions of the floor, lighting, faulty conditions or other circumstances immediately after you fell.

Records: Request a copy of business records. If the incident occurred in a place of business, speak with the manager or supervisor on duty. Ask him or her to make a record of the incident and get a copy of anything prepared by the business representative.

If anyone—especially an employee, supervisor or manager—makes a comment suggesting that this has occurred before, or that they were aware of the condition before your fall, write this down or get the contact information for any witness that may have been a part of this conversation.

As soon as you leave the location of the accident, write down the name and the exact comments of witnesses. Also make a record of anyone who heard the witness make the statement.

Medical and legal consultation: Seek appropriate help immediately. Contact a medical professional to evaluate your injuries and a legal professional to preserve and protect your rights. Under Florida law, accident claims have a specific time period in which they must be filed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident, do not delay in pursuing a claim. You may have a valid claim, but as with most injury cases, slip-and-fall claims are subject to a statute of limitations. For complete information, we invite you to contact the experienced attorneys at Camerlengo Law Group.

Negligent Security Cases

If you are injured or assaulted in a parking lot, shopping mall, elevator, parking garage or other unsafe location, inadequate security may be to blame. Camerlengo Law Group handles cases in which negligent security on another’s property is the cause of injury to you or a loved one. Common circumstances include inadequate security at:

• Apartment and condominium complexes
• Hotels or motels
• Other commercial premises, including shopping malls, parking garages, convenience stores and others

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the lack of adequate security at or near a business, don’t delay in pursuing a claim. You may have a valid claim, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires. The attorneys at Camerlengo Law Group are able to offer complete legal advice about your situation.