What to Do if I Had a Slip & Fall at a Resort in the Florida Keys?
Did you slip and injure yourself while vacationing in the Florida Keys? You may be able to seek compensation for your medical bills and related losses, but you must act fast.
Take several specific steps right away. Then, for specific advice about your situation, contact an experienced Florida slip and fall attorney.
Slip and Fall “Accidents” Aren’t Accidental
More often than not, slip and fall injuries happen due to a defect or hazardous condition on the premises.
Resort managers and property owners owe guests a legal duty to actively seek out potential hazards on the premises and address them promptly. They must also place warning signs or barriers around hazards until they can be cleaned up or fixed.
Even if the property owner didn’t invite you onto their premises, they still owe you a duty of care if you had a license to enter — such as to make deliveries, drop off mail, or read the meter. While Florida law doesn’t oblige property owners to actively look for problems and fix them, they must still fix and warn you of known dangerous conditions.
Steps To Take After a Slip and Fall Accident at a Florida Keys Resort
Take these steps immediately after a slip and fall accident to maximize your potential payout later:
1. Report the Accident
Let someone at the establishment know what happened right away. Make sure they document the accident in writing and request a copy of the report.
2. Document the Scene
Use your phone to take photographs and videos of the scene (or ask someone else to do this for you), including any hazards that may have contributed to your accident. Be sure to also take photos of your injuries.
If you don’t take photographs or video of the scene, that evidence will “magically disappear” the second you leave the area. Do NOT rely on the resort and/or their employees to memorialize the evidence for you. This is especially true for transitory substances, i.e. liquid on the floor.
3. Talk to Eyewitnesses
If anyone saw the accident or the hazardous condition — or both — see if they are willing to share their contact information. Witness testimony can be an invaluable piece of evidence down the line.
4. Seek Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t feel any pain or have no visible injuries. Some conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal organ damage, may not present symptoms at first.
Make sure your treating physician documents your injuries properly and request copies of all medical documentation, including:
- Receipts
- Invoices
- Prescriptions
- Medical reports
- Diagnostic tests results
5. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Contact a Florida slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner a fall accident lawyer starts working on your case, the higher your chance of securing maximum compensation. If you wait, crucial evidence can be destroyed or go missing.
6. Don’t Talk to the Insurance Company Early
Insurers are not your friends. They will do everything possible to minimize your payout or avoid making one altogether.
Don’t give a recorded statement or accept offers for early settlement before consulting with an attorney. In fact, avoid discussing the accident with representatives of the insurance company at all.
Be especially careful not to say anything that could be construed as an admission of fault. An all-too-common trick insurers use is to blame you for your injuries, such as by claiming that you’d had too much to drink or weren’t watching your step. Don’t give them ammunition.
Did You Fall and Injure Yourself While Vacationing in the Florida Keys? We Can Help
Our team at Florida Keys Injury has been helping slip and fall victims seek compensation for their injuries for over a decade. Call 786-605-8500 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Florida slip and fall attorney.