When Can You Sue a Tampa Restaurant for a Slip-and-Fall?

A Tampa restaurant may face slip-and-fall lawsuits for many reasons. If you slipped and fell in one of these establishments, you should consider your legal options carefully. If you’re facing serious non-economic and economic damages as a result of your fall, you should do everything in your power to pursue fair compensation. An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer in Tampa can help you determine whether a lawsuit is possible.

Liquid Spills 

A liquid spill is perhaps the most obvious reason to sue a restaurant for a slip-and-fall. For example, you might have slipped on a puddle of water after walking past the restroom area. Maybe you lost your footing while filling up a drink by a leaky pop dispenser. Perhaps your waiter spilled wine by your table and never bothered to clean it up, causing you to lose your footing when you stood up. Whatever the case may be, these liquid spills represent negligence – and they can lead to slip-and-fall lawsuits.

 Solid Debris 

Solid debris on the floor can also cause you to slip and fall. For example, you might have slipped on a discarded donut while walking to the exit. Maybe someone left a plastic fork on the ground, causing you to slip and strike your head on the hard tile flooring. Staff members must keep walking areas clear, and any debris that sits on these floors for long periods of time represents negligence.

 Dimly Lit Areas

 A more subtle example of negligence is a dimly lit area. If you can’t see where you’re walking, it may be difficult to avoid falling. This is especially true for disabled, elderly, or visually-impaired people. For example, you might have stumbled while walking down a dark hallway toward the bathroom.

Maybe you were walking down a dark staircase when you lost your footing and tumbled down toward the ground floor. Whatever the case may be, restaurant owners have a legal responsibility to replace lightbulbs. They must also adhere to the Florida Building Code, which requires a certain number of “footcandles” per square foot of space.

 Hazardous Parking Lots

 Parking lots can also be quite dangerous, and property owners should carefully evaluate walking hazards on a regular basis. For example, a broken set of stairs can cause people to slip and fall before hitting concrete surfaces and breaking their hips. A parking lot with significant cracks, divots, and potholes may be impossible to walk on safely. Many parking lots also lack sufficient lighting, making walking in these areas especially dangerous after dark.

Can a Tampa Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help Me? 

A Tampa slip-and-fall lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation after an accident at a restaurant. During a consultation, you can discuss your situation with a lawyer and determine whether a lawsuit is possible. From there, you can gather evidence of negligence and pursue the compensation you need to cover your damages. To take the next step, contact Anderson & Anderson today.

Source:

codes.iccsafe.org/s/FLBC2023P1/chapter-4-special-detailed-requirements-based-on-occupancy-and-use/FLBC2023P1-Ch04-Sec452.2.7#:~:text=All%20areas%20of%20the%20facility,properly%20maintained%20and%20kept%20clean.