When you suffer a slip and fall injury in Santa Rosa Beach, the physical pain and financial burden can feel overwhelming. Medical bills pile up. Lost wages mount. You’re left wondering how to move forward. The Bruner Law Firm understands what you’re facing.
We represent injured people exclusively, never property owners or businesses, which means your interests come first, always. Our firm has served the Santa Rosa Beach community since 1992 through our local office at 2441 US Highway 98, Suite 110. We’ve built our reputation on one principle: aggressive representation for people injured through no fault of their own.
With a 5.0 Google rating from many of our clients, we’ve earned the trust of Santa Rosa Beach residents and visitors alike. Our legal team includes five attorneys with decades of combined experience in personal injury law. Our attorneys have received recognition as Super Lawyers and Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.
We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing up front. We only recover a fee if we win your case or reach a settlement. That means we’re invested in your success from day one. Call (850) 608-8715 for your free consultation today.
Understanding Slip and Fall Accidents in Santa Rosa Beach
Santa Rosa Beach sits at the heart of Florida’s 30A corridor, one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. Highway 30A brings thousands of visitors annually to our beaches, restaurants, shops, and resorts. With this constant flow of foot traffic comes a reality: slip and fall accidents happen frequently.
The environment here creates unique hazards. Wet floors from beach access create risks. Sand tracked into commercial spaces causes problems. Seasonal weather changes and high visitor volume all contribute to slip and fall risks. We see accidents in retail stores along 30A, beachfront restaurants, resort lobbies, parking lots, and public beach areas.
Property owners must maintain heightened vigilance in this environment. Tourism, coastal weather, and busy commercial activity make Santa Rosa Beach a location where accidents occur regularly.
A slip and fall isn’t just a minor inconvenience. These accidents cause serious injuries: broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, and soft tissue damage. When someone else’s negligence causes your fall, you have the right to pursue compensation. That’s where we come in.
How Premises Liability Works in Florida
To understand your slip and fall case, you need to understand premises liability. This legal principle holds property owners and managers responsible for maintaining safe conditions for visitors. Learn more about what premises liability is and when you can sue.
In Florida, property owners owe a duty of care to people on their property. This duty varies depending on your status:
- Invitee: A customer or guest (highest duty of care)
- Licensee: Someone with permission but no business purpose (moderate duty)
- Trespasser: Someone without permission (lowest duty)
Most slip and fall victims are invitees. This means the property owner owes you the highest level of care.
To win a premises liability case, we must prove four elements of negligence:
- Duty: The property owner had a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions or warn of hazards.
- Breach: The owner failed to maintain safe conditions or failed to warn you of known dangers.
- Causation: This breach directly caused your slip and fall accident.
- Damages: You suffered measurable injuries and losses as a result.
If the accident occurred on or after March 24, 2023, Florida law gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a premises liability claim. If your accident occurred before March 24, 2023, your case still qualifies for the previous four-year limit. These deadlines matter. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move away. Memories fade. Acting quickly protects your rights.
Types of Slip and Fall Cases We Handle
Slip and fall accidents occur in countless settings. We handle cases involving:
- Retail stores: Wet floors, inadequate warning signs, cluttered aisles, and poor maintenance
- Restaurants and bars: Spilled food or beverages, grease on kitchen floors, and slippery entryways
- Hotels and resorts: Unsafe hallways, pool deck hazards, and inadequate housekeeping. Learn more about hotel injuries in Florida.
- Parking lots: Potholes, uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and inadequate lighting
- Uneven surfaces: Cracked sidewalks, broken steps, and trip hazards
- Inadequate lighting: Dark stairwells, poorly lit parking areas, and unmarked obstacles
- Beach and boardwalk accidents: Sand accumulation, uneven surfaces, and hazardous conditions
Each case is unique. What matters is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it or warn you. We also handle common causes of workplace slip and fall accidents if your injury occurred at work. Our workplace injury lawyers can help you recover compensation for on-the-job accidents.
Proving Your Slip and Fall Claim
Winning your case requires solid evidence. We investigate thoroughly to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Our investigation includes photographing the accident scene and documenting the hazardous condition. We collect surveillance footage if available. We interview witnesses who saw your fall. We obtain maintenance records to show whether the property owner knew about the hazard. We review prior incident reports that reveal a pattern of negligence.
When necessary, we work with expert witnesses such as safety engineers, medical professionals, and others to establish how the accident occurred. These experts explain why the property owner bears responsibility. We gather your medical records and bills to document your injuries and treatment. We calculate your lost wages and document your pain and suffering.
The property owner’s insurance company will investigate, too. They’ll look for reasons to deny or minimize your claim. That’s why having experienced representation matters. We are aware of their tactics and can counter them effectively. Learn more about how to document your personal injury for a successful claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Florida law allows you to recover damages for your slip and fall injuries. These include:
- Medical expenses: All reasonable costs for emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and ongoing treatment. This includes future medical care you’ll need.
- Lost wages: Income you lost while recovering from your injuries, plus lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. We can help you claim lost wages from your accident.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: Additional damages if your injuries cause lasting physical changes or functional limitations. If you’ve suffered paralysis or spinal cord injuries, we can help you pursue maximum compensation.
- Emotional distress: Compensation for anxiety, depression, or psychological trauma resulting from your accident.
- Punitive damages: In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, Florida allows punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Discover what makes a case eligible for punitive damages in Florida.
We fight to maximize every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Our Santa Rosa Beach Slip and Fall Case Process
When you hire The Bruner Law Firm, here’s what happens:
- Free consultation: We meet with you to understand your accident, injuries, and concerns. We explain your rights and answer your questions. There’s no obligation and no cost.
- Investigation: We investigate the accident scene, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and obtain records from the property owner.
- Demand and negotiation: We prepare a detailed demand letter explaining your case and the compensation you deserve. We negotiate with the property owner’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement. Learn what happens after your lawyer sends a demand letter.
- Settlement or litigation: Many cases settle during negotiation. If the insurance company refuses a fair offer, we prepare your case for trial. We handle all aspects of litigation, from discovery to courtroom representation.
- Contingency representation: Throughout this entire process, you pay nothing. We only recover a fee if we win your case or reach a settlement.
Discover our client testimonials and explore our successful outcomes to see our commitment in action.
Frequently Asked Questions About Slip and Fall Cases
Our legal team has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you better understand your rights and what to expect in a slip and fall case.
What should I do immediately after a slip and fall accident in Santa Rosa Beach?
First, seek medical attention if you’re injured. Your health comes first. Then, document everything: take photos or video of the hazardous condition, the scene, and your injuries. Report the accident to the property manager or owner and ask them to document it in writing. Get contact information from anyone who witnessed your fall. Preserve any physical evidence—the shoes you wore, your clothing, anything relevant. Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible. The sooner we begin our investigation, the better.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Florida?
You have four years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. However, don’t wait. Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage is often deleted after 30 days. Witnesses move away or forget details. The property owner may alter or destroy evidence. Acting quickly protects your rights and strengthens your case. Contact us immediately after your accident. Learn more about how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida.
Do I need an attorney for my slip and fall case?
Yes. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. They’ll use your own words against you and look for any reason to deny your claim. An experienced attorney levels the playing field. We know premises liability law. We understand insurance tactics. We fight for maximum compensation. Plus, we work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. Discover the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer.
How much does it cost to hire The Bruner Law Firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only recover a fee if we win your case or reach a settlement. You never pay out of pocket for our services. We discuss our fee agreement during your free consultation so you understand exactly how we’re compensated. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours: we only succeed when you succeed. Learn more about how much lawyers take from settlements.
Contact Our Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers Today
Injured in a slip and fall accident in Santa Rosa Beach? Don’t face the insurance company alone. Call The Bruner Law Firm at (850) 608-8715 for your free consultation. Our Santa Rosa Beach personal injury attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
