| The following is an expert answer given by Florida Slip | | | | as I stepped in, I slipped immediately. I am very upset |
| And Fall Injury Lawyer, Joseph M. Maus, and taken | | | | because I am missing work, shows, and just the overall |
| from AllExperts.com, a free Q & A service on the | | | | quality of life because I have to keep this brace on for |
| internet: | | | | another 3 weeks, then go through physical therapy |
| Question: I am a 25 year old female who lives in | | | | because I can't invert my ankle. I was wondering did I |
| Michigan. About a week ago it was raining really hard | | | | have a case? Thank you for your time. |
| and I went to the gas station across the street for a | | | | Answer: The answer to your questions depends on |
| cup of coffee, which is normal for me. I opened the | | | | the law in Michigan for a slip and fall injury. Florida |
| door, walked in and immediately violently slipped and | | | | personal injury claims such as car accidents, slip and |
| caught myself before I hit the ground. There was no | | | | fall cases, and work accidents are what I specialize in. |
| rug at the door like there normally is. The attendant | | | | However, laws vary from state to state so what |
| looked at me and said "I can't do anything for you, | | | | happens in a Florida slip and fall injury may not be the |
| there is a wet floor sign." He pointed to the sign which | | | | case in Michigan. |
| was very small and below knee level. My knee and | | | | The best advice I would give you is do speak with |
| ankle immediately started throbbing so I drove myself | | | | your about your claim. He can advise you what the |
| to the hospital and they gave me xrays. Nothing was | | | | law is in Michigan for slip and fall accidents which occur |
| broken, but they told me I had a knee strain and gave | | | | such as yours. He also knows the facts of your |
| me crutches, wrapped my ankle in an ace bandage, | | | | case, good and bad, and can give you an idea of |
| and put my left leg in a immobilizer from my thigh to | | | | whether you have a good case. |
| almost my ankle. I contacted a lawyer who took my | | | | Generally, a store owner owes two duties to persons |
| case, but I was just wondering how hard it would be to | | | | lawfully on the property - maintain the property in a |
| win my case. There is a surveillance video, and also I | | | | reasonably safe condition, and to warn persons on the |
| sent a friend to take pictures the same day. You can | | | | property of dangerous conditions that the person may |
| not see the sign from the outside, and the attendant | | | | not be able to appreciate themselves. The fact that |
| had moved the rug and the sign to where it was | | | | the store put a "wet floor" sign at the entrance may |
| supposed to be. The lawyer sent me to a doctor, who | | | | hurt your case, but maybe just walking in the door you |
| informed me I had messsed up my knee pretty badly | | | | didn't have a chance to see it. |
| (MCL?) and the ligaments in my ankle were messed | | | | Has your attorney received a copy of the surveillance |
| up. I have multiple contusions in my back and my legs | | | | video? That will be the best evidence as they are |
| and am in constant pain and not comfortable. I can't do | | | | usually trained right on the entrance/exit. If the store |
| anything including work for at least a month and I just | | | | hasn't provided a copy yet, your attorney should have |
| started a new job. Another thing is, I am a model, and | | | | at least written to the store to make sure they |
| do quite a bit of runway shows and photoshoots. I live | | | | preserve the video as they get recorded over after a |
| on the third floor of an apartment building and have to | | | | certain period of time, i.e. every 24-48 hrs. |
| have constant help with the stairs, cooking and | | | | I specialize in Florida slip and fall injury cases, but not all |
| cleaning etc. I go to this gas station almost everyday, | | | | lawyers do. Make sure your attorney is one that |
| and have never slipped or anything. I had on flip flops, | | | | specializes in premises liability claims. Many attorneys |
| and was not on my cell phone. Also when asked, the | | | | say they do "personal injury" claims, but after asking |
| attendants would not call the police, so I asked another | | | | around, you'll find they take anything that walks in the |
| lady at the pump would she and she said she did not | | | | door. Ask how many claims like yours they have |
| have her cell phone. Before I could ask her anything | | | | handled. Ask them if they have tried any cases like |
| else the attendant came up behind me and closed the | | | | yours. And, how many slip and fall claims they |
| door, prohibiting me from getting a witness statement | | | | currently have now. |
| because the lady drove away. The floor was muddy | | | | I think you have a good claim based upon the injury, |
| and wet, as it had been raining really hard and it looked | | | | your profession, and the limitations you have right now. |
| like people had been in and out the gas station | | | | The most difficult part of the claim is going to be |
| because it is open 24 hours. The rug that was | | | | proving liability against the store when they have the |
| supposed to be by the door was pulled all the way | | | | "wet floor" sign out. Make sure you document and |
| back leaving a good 2 feet of open, wet, muddy tile. I | | | | keep records of the income you are losing as a result |
| didn't have a chance to see the sign because as soon | | | | of the injury. |