Most of us use sidewalks nearly every day, whether it's for commuting, exercise, or just walking from one point to another. Surprisingly, though, sidewalks are one of the most common and neglected sites of serious trip and fall injuries across Palm Beach Gardens, FL, due to an influx of cracked, defective, or broken infrastructure.
In the unfortunate event that you have fallen and were injured on a defective sidewalk outside a public space or private property, one of the first phone calls you should make is to The Law Offices of Matthew Konecky. Let our experienced Palm Beach Gardens slip and fall lawyer help you handle insurance companies and gather all the evidence necessary to prove your case.
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Common Sidewalk Injuries
With most sidewalks in Palm Beach Gardens being made of divided concrete, the risk of tripping over a defective sidewalk is much higher than anywhere else.
A multitude of serious injuries can occur from a sidewalk fall, including:
- Broken facial bones (jaw, nose, orbital bone)
- Broken or fractured wrists, elbows, shoulders
- Broken collarbone
- Skull fractures
Primary Causes of Sidewalk Accidents
Sidewalk injuries are serious and should not be taken lightly as they can lead to long-term or even lifelong disabilities, not to mention extensive medical bills for treatments and therapies. If the fall occurred due to negligence, you may be entitled to extensive compensation.
After a sidewalk trip and fall injury, a lawyer can help establish the exact cause of your sidewalk injury. In South Florida, palm trees tend to lift and destroy sidewalks depending on their size and proximity to the walkway. With the help of a Palm Beach Gardens slip and fall lawyer like Mathew Konecky, you can establish the cause of your injuries.
Some of the most common sidewalk injuries include:
- Uneven pavement
- Buckling
- Cracks
- Grates
- Loose bricks
- Debris
- Construction flaws
![How a Palm Beach Gardens slip and fall lawyer Can Help]()
Who is Responsible for Sidewalk Injuries?
Sidewalk liability differs depending on where the trip and fall incident occurred. Ultimately, the person who owns the property has a duty to maintain it in a reasonably safe condition for lawful visitors. If a sidewalk trip and fall occur outside a store in a strip mall, it is likely the strip mall owner, not the store owner, who is directly responsible for its maintenance.
Many cities in Florida have ordinances that impart full or even partial responsibility to homeowners. A Palm Beach Gardens slip and fall lawyer can help determine who may be responsible, whether it be:
- Individual homeowners
- Local and state government agencies
- Homeowners associations
- Condo associations
How to Prove a Sidewalk Injury Case
Because of Florida's limited liability laws, a general rule that you must show to a municipality is an "actual or constructive" notice of the dangerous condition before liability can be established. This can be done in the form of a written complaint expressing concern for the hazard. If the municipality fails to correct the failing infrastructure, they are completely liable for any injuries that occur on the premises. To have a successful sidewalk trip and fall injury case, you must prove:
- The party was aware of the condition and made no effort to fix it
- The sidewalk was a danger
- The sidewalk was the direct cause of the injury
- Proof that you suffered real and verifiable injuries (the first thing you should do after tripping and falling over a sidewalk in Palm Beach County or Broward County is to see a doctor.)
Contact a Palm Beach Gardens slip and fall lawyer
If you are aware that a cracked, defective, or broken sidewalk directly caused your fall, resulting in severe injuries, contact us or call us immediately at (561) 671-5995 to learn about your legal rights relating to negligent security in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
If you are not quite ready to call us, download our free, no-obligation personal injury guide, 'What the Heck Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?' in the meantime.
