Client: Colling, Gilbert, Wright & Carter
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Slip and Fall Questions
In Orlando, Florida
1. What is a slip and fall accident?
Slip and fall accidents are classified as personal injury accidents. There are four general types of similar falling accidents:
� Slip and fall results from an issue with the shoe not correctly meeting the floor.
� Trip and fall results from an existence of a foreign object in the walking path.
� Step and fall results from an unexpected failure in the surface of the walking area, such as a hole.
� Stump and fall results from an impediment in the walking surface, such as a raised and uneven portion of pavement.
2. Who is responsible for a slip and fall accident?
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the slip and fall accident, both the owner of the property and the injured party can be found at fault. The owner has a responsibility to keep the property and walking areas safe. Each individual has the responsibility to watch where they are going and to realize that there may be instances where something may fall or spill onto a walking surface.
3. What is comparative negligence?
Comparative negligence relates to the level of your own responsibility in the accident, compared to the responsibility of the property owner. The court will determine percentages of liability for each of the parties involved in the claim. This percentage of liability determines what each of the parties is responsible for paying.
4. What information is an insurance adjustor seeking?
It is the insurance adjustor's job to attempt to establish the existence of an injury and what your responsibility in the fall was. The adjustor may attempt to settle the case immediately. Some questions you may be asked include:
� What is the type and extent of your injury?
� What warnings were present indicating danger that you may have overlooked?
� What was your reason for being in the area?
It is in your best interests to avoid speaking to any adjustor. Consult with a qualified attorney about your case before answering any questions from anyone.
5. What is a hazardous condition and who is responsible for its existence?
A hazardous condition is a situation where the potential for injury exists. These types of conditions can be temporary like ice on the sidewalk or permanent like a broken step. In the case of a temporary condition, the property owner may not have known about the situation and may be found innocent of responsibility. In a permanent condition, the owner is negligent in repairing the condition because they should have known about it.
To learn more about slip and fall accidents in Orlando or anywhere else in Florida, contact The Law Firm of Colling, Gilbert, Wright and Carter today.