Slip and fall accidents at private or public properties in Jacksonville may result in serious injuries, prolonged pain and suffering, lost income, and permanent disability. Florida law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation if a property owner’s negligence contributed to the fall, but proving liability is far from simple.
At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, our slip and fall attorneys in Jacksonville bring strategic advocacy, extensive experience, and sharp legal acumen to every case. Our slip, trip, and fall injury lawyers in Jacksonville, FL, will stand up for victims against negligent businesses, property owners, and powerful insurance companies.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Jacksonville
In the experience of our Florida slip and fall law firm, some of the common causes of slip and fall injuries in Jacksonville include:
- Wet or Slippery Floors: Seen in grocery stores, restaurants, and office buildings, where spills, mopping, or leaks aren’t promptly addressed.
- Uneven Sidewalks and Parking Lots: Cracked pavement, potholes, and uneven surfaces are frequent causes of outdoor falls.
- Poor Lighting: Dim or broken lighting in stairwells, hallways, or parking garages can obscure hazards.
- Unmarked Hazards: Property owners who fail to warn visitors about dangerous conditions, such as freshly waxed floors, may be liable for resulting injuries.
- Loose Carpeting and Floor Mats: Torn, unsecured, or bunched-up carpets and mats create tripping hazards.
- Broken Stairs or Handrails: Inadequate maintenance of staircases leads to dangerous conditions that can cause severe falls.
Establishing Liability in a Slip and Fall Case in Jacksonville
Winning a slip-and-fall case in Jacksonville requires much more than simply showing that a fall occurred. Victims must prove several critical elements under Florida law:
Duty of Care Owed by Property Owners
Florida property owners, including businesses, landlords, and government agencies, owe a legal “duty of care” to those who enter their premises. The level of duty varies depending on the status of the visitor:
- Invitees (such as customers) are owed the highest duty, requiring the property owner to regularly inspect for hazards and fix or warn about them.
- Licensees (social guests) are owed a duty to warn of known dangers.
- Trespassers are generally owed only a minimal duty, although special rules apply for child trespassers (attractive nuisance doctrine).
Proving Hazardous Conditions Existed
It must be shown that a dangerous condition existed on the property that posed an unreasonable risk of harm. Evidence such as photographs, video surveillance, and eyewitness accounts is vital to prove the hazard.
Proving Actual or Constructive Knowledge
Florida’s premises liability law, codified under Florida Statutes § 768.0755, requires slip and fall victims to prove that the property owner had either:
- Actual knowledge of the hazardous condition (they knew about the spill, broken floor tile, etc.)
- Constructive knowledge, meaning the condition existed for a sufficient length of time that the owner should have discovered it through ordinary care.
Constructive knowledge can be proven through evidence such as surveillance footage showing the hazard was present for a long time, employee testimony, or maintenance records showing inadequate inspections.
Slip and fall cases require swift investigation, diligent evidence gathering, and sometimes, expert testimony, which our accident lawyers in Jacksonville, FL, at Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers are equipped to provide.
Common Locations Where Slip-and-Falls Occur in Jacksonville
In the experience of our Jacksonville trip and fall lawyers, certain locations in the city are more prone to slip and fall accidents, including:
- Supermarkets and Grocery Stores (e.g., Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walmart)
- Shopping Malls (e.g., St. Johns Town Center)
- Restaurants and Bars (e.g., downtown Jacksonville nightlife venues)
- Hotels and Resorts (e.g., beachfront properties along Jacksonville Beach)
- Hospitals and Medical Offices
- Office Buildings
- Apartment Complexes
- Public Sidewalks and Parks
Each location presents unique challenges in pursuing a claim, especially when multiple entities, such as property managers, cleaning companies, or security contractors, share responsibility.
Slip and Fall Accidents May Involve Powerful Corporations: Why You Need Our Jacksonville Slip and Fall Lawyers on Your Side
Slip and fall accidents in Jacksonville sometimes involve large corporations that own or manage the property, including national retailers, hotel chains, and real estate management companies. These corporations are backed by powerful insurance carriers and defense attorneys who are trained to minimize payouts.
Common tactics they use include:
- Denying Knowledge: Claiming they had no notice of the hazard
- Blaming the Victim: Arguing that the victim was not paying attention or wore inappropriate footwear
- Disputing the Severity of Injuries: Minimizing the damages to avoid paying full compensation
- Dragging Out the Process: Hoping victims will accept lowball settlements out of financial desperation
At Amanda Demanda Injury Lawyers, we know these tactics, and we’re determined to beat them. Our Jacksonville slip and fall attorneys immediately move to secure critical evidence such as surveillance video, maintenance logs, and employee witness statements. We may work with accident reconstruction and building safety experts to prove their liability. We’re aggressive negotiators and seasoned litigators who will not hesitate to take your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement. To schedule your free consultation, call us 24/7 at 1-844-DEMANDA or contact us online.
