Slip-and-fall claims sound simple but are among the hardest injury cases to prove. It isn't enough that you fell and got hurt. You generally have to show the property owner knew — or should have known — about the hazard and failed to fix or warn about it.
Businesses and their insurers know this, and they defend these cases aggressively. Surveillance video gets overwritten, incident reports get filed away, and 'the floor was clearly marked' becomes their story. Moving quickly to preserve evidence is critical.
Local knowledge that matters
From the Gardens Mall and Downtown at the Gardens to grocery stores, restaurants, and the resorts and rentals that fill up during season, Palm Beach County sees countless preventable falls. I know how local businesses and property managers operate — and how to get the video before it disappears.
What to do after slip & fall
- 1
Report the fall right away
Tell a manager and ask for a written incident report. Get a copy or the report number.
- 2
Photograph the hazard immediately
The wet floor, torn mat, broken step, or missing sign — before it's cleaned up or fixed.
- 3
Get names of witnesses
Anyone who saw the fall or the hazard can be invaluable later.
- 4
Keep what you were wearing
Especially your shoes — insurers often blame footwear.
- 5
See a doctor and call a lawyer
A prompt medical record and quick action to preserve video make a real difference.
Common injuries I see
- Broken hips, wrists, and ankles
- Head injuries and concussions
- Back and spinal injuries
- Torn ligaments and knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Deep bruising and lacerations
How Florida law applies
- You must prove notice of the hazard
- Under Florida Statute 768.0755, for a transitory foreign substance (like a spill) you generally must show the business knew or should have known about it and had time to address it. Evidence of how long the hazard existed is often decisive.
- Comparative negligence applies
- The property owner will often argue you weren't watching where you were going. Your recovery can be reduced by your share of fault, and barred if you're found more than 50% responsible.
- Two years to file
- Premises-liability injury claims are subject to Florida's two-year deadline. The practical clock is shorter — video evidence can be gone in weeks.
How I help with your case
- Move fast to preserve surveillance video and incident reports.
- Establish that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard.
- Document your injuries and how the fall has affected your life.
- Counter the standard defenses — 'it was obvious,' 'you weren't looking,' 'your shoes.'
Slip & Fall — frequently asked questions
No. You generally have to prove the store knew or should have known about the hazard and didn't act. That's why evidence of how long the spill or defect existed is so important, and why quick action matters.
Possibly. A sign doesn't automatically end a claim, especially if it was poorly placed, put out after the fact, or the hazard was worse than the sign suggested. Let me look at the specifics.
Generally two years in Florida. But the surveillance video that could prove your case is often erased within days or weeks, so the sooner you call, the better.