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Was Your Child Seriously Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident in Florida? A Prompt Investigation into What Caused the Accident is Important in Proving Negligence

Falls are an all too common source of child injury. They may occur if a child falls because someone allowed a slippery substance to be left on the floor; or because they failed to adequately supervise your child when they had a responsibility to do so; or because of their failure to safely maintain their property or keep playground or other equipment safely maintained. When the unexpected happens, what should you do?

One of the first things is to do your best to document what caused the accident to happen. Take a photograph and take note of what was wrong. The person in possession of the property should usually be notified of what occurred so they are aware of the circumstances. Make sure your child receives prompt medical attention as needed. Make sure you tell the medical provider the injury happened because of a fall and be accurate in what details you provide.

If your child has suffered a serious injury, involving a brain injury, serious lacerations with multiple stitches, broken bones which require surgery, serious facial and dental injuries, nerve injury or other surgery, you should consider consulting a lawyer right away. I fully realize not every injury requires you to hire a lawyer. In cases with minor injuries you may be just as well off trying to handle the case on your own. But those cases with such serious injuries may need a prompt investigation in order to hold the responsible person liable and fully recover for the damages your child has suffered.

Please understand the insurance company for the party responsible will assign a specially trained adjuster to begin the investigation right away. It doesn't matter to them it was your child. They have a responsibility to the person they insure to investigate the accident, find a way to deny the claim, or find away to argue you or your child were partially, if not completely, at fault for what happened. They would like nothing better than to convince you that they will be fair in settling the claim, despite the seriousness of the injury suffered, and have you deal with them with out a lawyer. Doing so creates an uneven playing field, and they know it.

The insurance adjuster has a specific objective in contacting you right after and accident, often before the full extent of the injuries are known to you. They will commonly ask you to give them a recorded statement "to better understand what happened", have you give them permission to get a copy of your child's medical records or "sign a few forms". I would suggest you politely put them off and request a copy of my book, "When Kids Suffer Big Injuries." It is available without cost for accidents occurring in Florida. I wrote it to help parents understand the issues they will face in dealing with what to do after such an accident.

Of course, if you have immediate questions you would like to discuss with Mr. Dodson, please call our office at 1-888-340-0840 and schedule a convenient time for you to discuss your concerns. There is no charge, nor is there any obligation to hire an attorney. You may schedule a video conference in the comfort of your home, if you prefer.

You may also choose to submit any questions to Mr. Dodson using the "contact" box on this page.

The Dodson Law Firm represents Florida personal injury claims and child injury claims in the Clearwater | St. Petersburg area: Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Bradenton, Lakewood Village, Dunedin, Largo, Oldsmar, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Belleair, Belleair Bluffs, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearwater Beach, Palm Harbor, Crystal Beach, Bradenton, Palmetto, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Ellenton, Kenneth City, Belleair Shores, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg Beach, Tierra Verde, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Bayonet Point, Holiday, Land O'Lakes, Odessa, Tampa, Temple Terrace, Sebring, Wesley Chapel, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County and all other Florida counties.

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