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Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman LLP Blog
Slip and Fall...New Legislation
This year, the legislature will meet in Tallahassee to discuss whether new guidelines and/or notice requirements will be required in slip and fall cases, which will affect the liability of supermarkets and other department stores relative to their negligence for failing to correct or warn customers of potential dangers in Florida stores.
For instance, assume you slip and fall and seriously injure yourself due to the negligence of the store and/or its personnel. Today, the store must prove it was not responsible for leaving the hazard on the floor. During this year’s session, the legislature will discuss a bill that will put the burden back on you (the patron) to prove that the store was aware of the hazard and failed to cure it. Obviously, this new burden is overreaching because it forces you (the patron) who is visiting that store as an invitee to prove the store had “notice” of the hazard before recovering anything for your injuries. Seem fair?
By: Michael J. Pike
Obviously, plaintiff lawyers around the state believe this is extremely unfair for patrons. Assume, for a moment, that a close family member slips and falls in a store, thereby breaking her arm and injuring her neck because store personnel failed to do their jobs. Obviously, your family member is not thinking about speaking to patrons, or interviewing store personnel to determine how long the dangerous condition was on the floor before she slipped and fell or whether the store had “notice” of the condition. Instead, the person is thinking about obtaining medical services to treat their injuries. This new legislation, if adopted, could affect your personal injury case.
The law firm of Burman, Critton, Luttier & Coleman respects your rights and remains informed of all pending legislation. Despite whether this bill passes or not, we will assist you with protecting your rights.
If you have been injured in an accident, your trusted advocates at Burman, Critton Luttier & Coleman will assist you in obtaining the maximum recovery to compensate you for the losses. If you or someone you know has been injured in a traffic accident or a slip and fall, or because of someone else’s negligence, please contact us at (561) 842-2820 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.