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This month has been very rainy and the storms are loud. I’m sure you have noticed. Florida’s summer rainy season is in full swing, and with it comes a hidden hazard that sends thousands of people to the emergency room every year: slip and fall accidents. In Brevard County and the Space Coast, heavy afternoon downpours can turn store entrances, restaurant floors, and parking lots into slippery traps. If you or a loved one has been injured after a fall on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation.
When you combine rainfall with other substances on the ground you get a perfect recipe for slip and fall. Slip and fall (premises liability) cases typically make up around 15-20% of personal injury claims, though exact figures vary by source and whether we’re talking about filed lawsuits, settled claims, or trials.
Businesses Have a Legal Duty to Keep Their Property Safe
Under Florida premises liability law, property owners and businesses owe a duty of care to visitors. This means they must:
- Regularly inspect floors and walkways for hazards
- Promptly clean up tracked-in water, spills, or wet areas
- Use warning signs, mats, or cones when floors are wet
- Maintain proper drainage in parking lots and sidewalks
- Train staff to respond quickly during heavy rain
Various injuries can occur when the ground is unusually slippery. These injuries can prevent a person from working, earning a living, or otherwise living a comfortable lifestyle.
Common Injuries from Slip and Fall Accidents
Even a seemingly minor fall can cause serious harm:
- Broken bones (wrist, hip, ankle)
- Spinal cord injuries and herniated discs
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Knee and shoulder damage requiring surgery
- Chronic pain and long-term mobility issues
Going to the ER, getting scans and X-rays and treatment can cause medical bills to add up very quickly. Just to be seen and released from an ER for a slip and fall will cost you well over $1,000. If the injury requires long-term care, then medical bills can skyrocket well above this number. If you add in the amount of time you miss from work total losses can exceed $10,000. You have a right to be made whole if the ground was slippery and not maintained within a business.
What Drives the Cost of a Slip and Fall ER Visit?
- Basic evaluation + X-rays: Often $1,000–$2,000
- With CT scans, labs, or specialist consults: $3,000–$8,000+
- Factors that increase costs: Age (older adults cost more), fractures, head injuries, or admission to the hospital (which jumps the average to ~$18,000+ per inpatient stay for falls).
A local Brevard County attorney who specializes in slip-and-fall cases is your best option to recover the funds you missed from work and compensation for your medical bills. Give us a call today and see what your options are. Consultation is free. Call 321-242-7000