Slip & Fall Attorneys
Slip and fall accidents can result in serious and permanent injuries that can have devastating long-term effects. Selecting the right slip and fall attorney to represent you is critical. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a slip and fall accident, contact our Florida law firm for a fast, free and confidential evaluation of your slip and fall injury by completing our online consultation form or contact us to discuss any legal questions you may have.
The partners at Hancock & Hancock, P.A. possess the experience of over 35 years of personal injury law in the following types of cases:
Claire D. Hancock
Michael F. Hancock
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Slip and Fall Cases
What is a "slip and fall" accident?
To be very precise a "slip and fall" accident occurs when a person falls due to a slipperiness of the surface of the floor. However, the phrase has sometimes been used more generically, to include just about any fall that occurs on someone else's premises. In a broader context, it would include a "trip and fall" or a misstep and fall caused by a change in surface elevation. A more accurate term to describe all of the accidents that result from falls on premises would probably be "fall down" accidents. As a broader general rule, the owner of a house, building, parking lot or other premises is responsible for injuries resulting from an unreasonably dangerous condition which causes a slip and fall on the premises. An occupier of the premises, such as a tenant in an apartment building or a storeowner who leases a store, may also be liable for injuries if the occupier has control over the premises in which the injury occurred. A "slip and fall" accident may be caused by:
- An uneven floor
- An unseen danger such as a hole covered up by a rug
- Poor lighting
- A slippery floor surface professionally
Is the owner of the business or other premises legally responsible for injuries sustained in "slip and fall" or "fall down" accidents?
In Florida, the obligation or duty of the landowner to the injured person changes to some degree, depending on the particular status of that person at the time of the fall. Generally, the duty of a property owner is to maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn a visitor of any dangerous conditions that are known, or should be known to them.
What are the defenses that I can expect will be raised against me in my claim based upon a fall on someone else's premises?
One of the most common defenses is to deny the existence of any dangerous condition on the premises or to deny having timely knowledge of its existence. Another common defense is to argue that you were careless or negligent in failing to observe the dangerous condition (the spill, the hole, the uneven surface, or other obstruction) and as a result, should either have all compensation denied or reduced according to your own percentage of comparative fault.
How is my Florida slip and fall attorney paid? What if I can't afford a slip and fall attorney?
Hancock and Hancock, P.A. handles all cases on what is called a "contingency fee" basis. This means that no fees or costs are charged unless we collect monetary damages for you. All of the consultations with our office are absolutely free. When you receive compensation, meaning we (as your slip and fall attorneys) have successfully concluded your case, either by settlement or litigation, our fees are a percentage of the gross settlement. This percentage is agreed upon before we begin work, in writing signed by you and the slip and fall attorneys and is comprised 33% prior to filing suit and 40% after the lawsuit is filed, up through trial.
The slip and fall attorney's fee is separate from the "costs" that the firm advances on behalf of the client. "Costs" include expenses for obtaining copies of medical records from hospital and doctors, investigations fees, expert witness fees, accident reconstructionists, filing fees at the courthouse, costs of taking depositions and other expenses. We advance all costs related to your case. Only upon obtaining a recovery for a client are we are reimbursed the costs advanced by us.
Free Consultation from your slip and fall attorneys in Tampa
If you or someone you care about has suffered injuries in a slip and fall accident, contact Hancock & Hancock, P.A. for a free, immediate and confidential evaluation of your slip and fall case. Attorneys Michael Hancock or Claire Hancock will personally provide detailed and comprehensive answers to your important questions by reviewing your law consultation form, evaluating your claim and responding to you, either by e-mail or telephone, within 24 hours. If you prefer, call attorneys Michael Hancock or Claire Hancock in Tampa at 813-915-1110 or toll free from anywhere in the United States at 1-888-975-1110. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will answer your questions, without charge, and there is no obligation to use our services.
As committed Florida slip and fall attorneys, and many other types of personal injury cases, justice will be served for you.