The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after you are injured in a fall varies by state. How long after a slip and fall can you sue in Florida? This article discusses the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits.
According to 2014 data from the Florida Department of Health, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injury hospital admissions as well as injury-related deaths in the state. Many falling injuries result in substantial medical bills and long periods of missed work, which can severely impact your ability to support yourself and your family.
If you are hurt in a slip and fall accident, especially if you suspect another party’s negligence caused or contributed to your fall, it is in your best interest to explore your legal options for financial recovery.
But you don’t have unlimited time to file a lawsuit, so you need to start the process sooner rather than later.
In the Sunshine State, how long after a slip and fall can you sue?
Florida’s Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations
In Florida, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit against a property owner for a slip and fall injury (and personal injury in general) is four years from the date of the accident. Unless you qualify for an exception—a rare occurrence—the courts will likely dismiss your case if you miss this deadline.
While Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury is relatively generous (compared to states such as Kentucky and Connecticut, which require a lawsuit to be filed within one year and two years, respectively), starting the process as soon as possible is critical.
Here’s why.
Understanding Comparative Negligence in Florida
If the defendant decides not to settle your claim out of court, you should be prepared for them to present a case that you were partially at fault for your injuries. In Florida, personal injury cases operate on comparative negligence.
Talking to a personal injury attorney soon after your accident will help you preserve any evidence that supports your claim that the property owner was completely at fault.
How long after a slip and fall can you sue for your injuries in Florida? Get the answers you need directly from an expert attorney.
Take the Time You Need to Assess Your Injuries Completely
You also need to leave plenty of time to assess the full extent of your injuries. You may not feel the effects of your injuries for weeks or even months following the accident. In some cases, a year or more may pass before you are fully recovered.
To value your claim accurately, you need to know how much your medical bills are and how much work your injuries caused you to miss.
Find the Expert Guidance You Need for Your Florida Slip and Fall Case
Now that you know how long after a slip and fall you can sue in Florida, don’t waste another minute. Get the ball rolling on your case by contacting RRBH Law to set up a free case evaluation. We are here to help you get justice.