Discount stores like Dollar Tree offer customers a wide range of items for sale at low prices. While many customers visit Dollar Tree to save money, you can end up facing serious losses if you are hurt in a slip and fall accident while in the store.

Fortunately, you could secure compensation for your losses by contacting the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik. Our injury lawyers for slip and fall accidents at Dollar Tree in Florida are standing by to start working on your case now.

Our personal injury lawyers can help you fight for compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Facts About Dollar Tree and Slip and Fall Accidents in Florida

As of 2022, there were over 15,500 Dollar Trees around the U.S., with many stores located throughout Florida. As with all other businesses in Florida, Dollar Tree stores are required to maintain safe premises and promptly address hazards that could endanger customers.

However, many hazards may go unnoticed, especially if a store is particularly busy. Crowded aisles and high customer traffic can make it more difficult for employees to spot and clean up hazards in a timely fashion, increasing the risk of slip and fall incidents.

Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Dollar Tree

Slip and fall accidents may occur in Dollar Tree stores for a number of reasons. Some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents include:

Obstacles like boxes or products left in the aisle
Improperly maintained entrance and exit doors
Wet spots on the floor caused by leaking products
Damp areas from mopping that are improperly marked
Improperly lit areas of the store
Torn or uneven flooring and floor mats
Spills from broken merchandise or beverage containers

Any of these situations could result in serious injuries. Make sure that you seek immediate medical care if you are hurt in a slip and fall accident. Getting prompt treatment can help your lawyer prove that your injuries were caused by your accident, which can boost your chances of getting fair compensation.

Compensation for Losses Caused by Florida Slip and Fall Accidents

Generally, you can seek compensation following a Dollar Tree slip and fall accident by filing a premises liability claim. This claim can help you secure the damages you need to cover your:

Current medical expenses, including emergency medical care
Future medical expenses, including physical therapy costs
Lost wages at work and lost earning potential
Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

Here at the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik, we understand how expensive medical treatment can be. Let us help you if you experienced a slip and fall accident that led to:

Broken bones or fractures
Bruises, abrasions, and cuts
Head, neck, back, or spine injuries
Soft tissue injuries and sprains
Hip injuries and dislocations

We are ready to start working on your claim right now.

Demonstrating Negligence in Dollar Tree Slip and Fall Cases

You will only be able to get compensation for your losses after a slip and fall accident if your Florida slip and fall attorney can demonstrate that:

There was a hazard in the Dollar Tree store
The property owners or employees were aware of the hazard or should have been aware through reasonable inspection
Despite this awareness, the hazard was not removed or corrected
The hazard directly led to your injuries

Jason and Debi Chalik can work to build your claim by investigating your accident right away. We can speak with witnesses who saw your accident, request video surveillance records from Dollar Tree, and review any reports regarding your accident to gather evidence.

What if You Are Partially at Fault for Your Florida Dollar Tree Slip and Fall?

Comparative negligence is a legal concept that states when an accident occurs, the negligence or fault of each involved party is based on their individual contributions to the event. Florida recognizes modified comparative negligence (as amended effective March 24, 2023), in which the court determines to what degree a claimant was responsible. Compensation awarded to the claimant by the court will then be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, if the claimant is found to be more than 50% at fault for their own harm, they are completely barred from recovering any damages.

For example, if an accident victim were considered 25% at fault and is awarded a verdict of $100,000, they would receive $75,000 due to a 25% reduction. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence system, codified in Florida Statute Section 768.81(6), a claimant who is found to be more than 50% at fault for their own harm is completely barred from recovering any damages in most negligence actions, with the exception of medical malpractice cases.

Duties of a Dollar Tree Slip and Fall Attorney from Our Team

The primary functions of a slip and fall or personal injury attorney are to advise clients, protect their rights, handle settlement negotiations, and represent them in premises liability claims. They also provide certain legally interested parties with relevant information, such as insurance companies, courts, defendants, and their legal counsel.

More specifically, slip and fall injury attorneys are also responsible for the following:

Discussing injuries and accident-related details with clients and notifying relevant parties of their legal representation
Advising clients of their legal rights and how they will be protected
Case investigation and discovery, such as collecting evidence, contacting eyewitnesses, and gathering pertinent documentation, including accident reports and medical records
Using evidence to prove the property owner or company’s negligence
Identifying the client’s recoverable damages and calculating their worth
Negotiating with the company’s insurance company and attempting to secure a fair settlement
Filing a legal claim by preparing a formal complaint and submitting it to the applicable court
Filing or responding to pre-trial motions requesting that the court decides on a particular issue before the trial begins
Representing their client at trial if necessary

What Is the Time Limit to File a Dollar Tree Slip and Fall Lawsuit?

The Florida statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a slip and fall injury is two years from the accident date under Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a). For a wrongful death lawsuit, the time limit is also two years. Failure to file a lawsuit before this deadline will likely result in your case being permanently dismissed.

However, under Florida Statutes § 95.051, you could be eligible for a rare exception. For this reason, you are encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.

What Could a Family Recover After a Wrongful Death Slip and Fall Claim?

When a person is fatally injured and another person or party is at fault, some of the decedent’s surviving relatives may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation under Florida Statutes § 768.19.

A personal injury attorney can help family members identify which damages they can be awarded for their losses, as these depend on their familial relationship with the decedent. Such losses can include the following:

Loss of the decedent’s earnings
Loss of the decedent’s companionship, guidance, and services
The survivors’ mental anguish
Funeral and burial costs
Medical expenses for the decedent’s care before death

Don’t Accept a Low Settlement After a Dollar Tree Slip and Fall Accident

Many times, insurance representatives for Dollar Tree will approach you after a slip and fall accident. They may try to get you to admit fault for your accident. They can also try to convince you to accept a subpar settlement offer to cover your losses.

You should not speak with these insurance representatives without first speaking with your slip and fall lawyer. In fact, it is in your best interests to allow your lawyer to handle all communication with Dollar Tree representatives. Let the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik start protecting you now.

Speak With Slip and Fall Legal Professionals in Florida Right Now

Individuals pursuing compensation after a slip and fall accident can speak with a lawyer from our experienced team. Contact our Dollar Tree slip and fall attorneys in Florida today at the Law Offices of Chalik & Chalik. You can reach us for a free consultation by calling us or filling out our online contact form.