What Role Does Insurance Play in Slip and Fall Cases?

If you suffer injuries in a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property, the negligent party’s liability insurance company will typically be responsible for paying you compensation to cover your losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

A Fort Lauderdale slip and fall accident lawyer from our firm can guide you through the insurance process and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. You don’t have to settle for less. We will fight for you and your family.

What Is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is generally part of a homeowners, renters, or commercial property insurance policy. Property owners or renters typically purchase these policies to protect themselves (or their companies) from experiencing extensive financial losses if someone suffers injuries on their property due to negligence. 

While purchasing liability insurance is technically optional, many mortgage lenders and residential or commercial landlords require their tenants to purchase these policies when occupying a property. If a property owner chooses not to purchase liability insurance, they could have to pay for an injured party’s financial damages out of their pocket. 

Liability insurance plays a pivotal role in slip and fall cases, just as it does in car accidents and other types of accidents. After suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident, you can aim to hold the property owner liable for your injuries and financial expenses by filing a liability insurance claim with their provider. 

What Types of Damages Does Liability Insurance Cover After a Slip and Fall Accident?

While each policy is unique, liability insurance generally covers a variety of damages for injury victims, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and benefits
• Transportation costs
• Modifications to your home (such as wider doorways and wheelchair ramps)
• Household services (such as lawn care and cleaning)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Lost quality of life
• Physical and intellectual disabilities
• Disfigurement (such as scars or burns)

You can also file a wrongful death claim if you lost someone you love because of a slip and fall accident. A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer can help you claim various damages, such as:

• Funeral expenses
• Lost income
• Medical bills
• Mental pain and suffering

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Slip and Fall Accident?

You generally only have two years to file a lawsuit after a slip and fall accident, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. While most slip and fall claims settle before going to trial, you could lose your right to take the negligent party to court to recover compensation if you don’t file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.

The sooner you file an insurance claim and get started on the legal process, the better. 

Personal injury claims can take time to resolve. Your attorney will want to collect evidence before it disappears and obtain statements from witnesses before their memories of the accident fade. 

What Can You Do After a Slip and Fall Accident to Strengthen Your Insurance Claim?

You can take several steps after suffering injuries in a slip and fall accident that can strengthen your insurance claim and legal case. If possible, we recommend that you:

• Create a paper trail by immediately reporting the accident to the property owner or manager and requesting a copy of their internal incident report
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible, so your doctor can document your injuries and treatments in your medical records
• Gather evidence to support your claim, including photographs of the accident scene and contact information from witnesses
• Attend all of your follow-up medical appointments and comply with your treatment plan
• Avoid talking to the insurance company so you don’t say anything that could negatively impact your case
• Consult with a personal injury law firm to learn about your legal options and get advice

You don’t have to feel helpless after a slip and fall accident. A slip and fall injury attorney can help you every step of the way, so you don’t have to carry the burden alone.

A Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Can Walk You Through the Insurance Process

Personal injury attorneys with experience handling slip and fall accident cases understand the insurance and legal processes and can guide you through both. As you focus on your recovery from your injuries, your lawyer can do the following:

• Investigate the accident to identify the liable party and prove their negligence
• Collect evidence such as witness statements, video surveillance, photos of the hazardous condition that caused you to fall, safety records, inspection logs, medical records, and expert opinions
• Help you file an insurance claim and lawsuit
• Protect your rights
• Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance adjuster on your behalf
• Take your case to trial and represent you in court, if necessary

In addition, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers will:

• Provide personal attention and honest communication
• Work on contingency, so you only pay attorney fees if we win
• Send you regular status updates on your case
• Facilitate and encourage communication to develop your case smoothly and efficiently
• Come to your location, including visiting you in the hospital, if you can’t come to us

Learn More About the Role Insurance Plays in Slip and Fall Accident Cases Today

Insurance plays an important role in slip and fall accident cases because the property owner’s insurance provider will generally pay you compensation for your damages. Our Fort Lauderdale slip and fall accident lawyers will negotiate with the insurer and fight to maximize your settlement so you can get justice. 

At Chalik & Chalik, we have been fighting for victims and their families for over 30 years and have won multiple multi-million-dollar settlements and judgments for clients. For more information about the role of insurance in slip and fall cases, or to get a free consultation, please contact us today.

Slip and Fall Accidents Videos:

Slip, Trip & Fall Accidents

What To Do After A Slip, Trip Or Fall Injury

Slip and Fall Accidents Blog Posts:

Hidden slip and fall hazards of steps and stairways

Slip and fall accidents on stairs can cause serious injuries. Stairways come with inherent dangers that are usually not present on level surfaces. While sometimes the hazards may be obvious, in other cases they may be harder to detect. Property owners can be liable for stair accidents just like slip and falls in other locations....

Jury finds Florida woman at fault in Target slip-and-fall lawsuit

A Miami, Florida, woman was assigned 90 percent of the blame in a slip-and-fall lawsuit filed against Target Corp. in January 2014. Elvia Hernandez claimed she fell at a Target store in Miami after slipping on a “liquid or other similar foreign substance on the floor of the main aisle,” according to court documents. The...

Facts About Common Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents often lead to more than bruised egos. The National Safety Council reports that 8.9 million emergency room visits are made annually as a result of slip and fall accidents, which could involve injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic. In some cases, the injured party may be able to recover compensation from...

You May Be Able to Earn Compensation for Slip/Fall Accidents Caused By Lack of Supervision

Florida slip and fall accidents happen on a continual basis in a wide range of scary scenarios. These accidents account for over one million injuries every year in the U.S., while approximately 17,000 people die from their injuries. A slip and fall or trip and fall accident can happen in a wide variety of places...

Slip and Fall Accidents FAQ:

Can You Sue an Airport for Falling?

You may sue an airport for falling if you suffered injuries and have resulting expenses and losses. When a fall occurs, it is generally because of a preventable hazard. The property owner or another entity in charge of maintaining the property has an obligation to keep the area free from hazards. Your Florida slip and...

What to Do if I Slip and Fall at a Dollar Store?

If you slip and fall at a dollar store, these are the following steps you should take to ensure your health and possibly support your personal injury or premises liability claim: You should check for injuries and get immediate medical attention to address them. You should collect evidence while still inside the store by taking...

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall in Florida?

Legally, you are not required to hire a lawyer for a slip and fall in Florida. However, having an attorney who understands premises liability law, knows how to negotiate with insurance companies, and can represent your interests in court offers a healthy peace of mind—leaving you to focus on recovering from your injuries. If you...

How to Sue a Dollar Store for a Slip and Fall

If you or a loved one was injured when you fell in a dollar store, you can recover damages for your injuries and related expenses. Recovering those damages means filing an insurance claim. You must prove your fall was caused by negligence and then negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company. If you cannot...