What to Do if You Slipped and Fell at St. Pete Pier?

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Slip and Fall

What to Do if You Slipped and Fell at St. Pete Pier?

The St. Pete Pier or St. Petersburg Pier extends from downtown St. Petersburg into Tampa Bay. Thousands of people visit the pier yearly to enjoy swimming, shopping, bicycling, walking, dining, and other activities. The pier has many attractions, including the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Tampa Bay Watch Discover Center. The pier is the property of the City of St. Petersburg.

Slip and Fall Accidents at St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, FL

A visit to St. Pete Pier is usually an enjoyable experience. However, slip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries. Hazards around the pier can cause slips, trips, and fall accidents. Examples of causes of slip and fall accidents at St. Pete Pier include, but are not limited to:

  • Uneven surfaces
  • Slippery and wet surfaces
  • Broken stairs and steps
  • Inadequate lighting
  • Damaged and broken flooring
  • Lack of handrails
  • Cluttered walkways

Slip and fall accidents at St. Pete Pier can cause numerous injuries. Injuries at St. Pete Pier may include broken bones, traumatic brain injury, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, and lacerations. If you are injured in a slip and fall accident at St. Pete Pier, seek immediate medical treatment for your injuries.

Who Is Responsible for Slip and Fall Accidents at St. Pete Pier?

The circumstances of your injury and the location of your slip and fall accident directly impact who is liable for your damages. If your accident occurred on city-owned property, you may have a claim against the city for damages.

However, if your slip and fall occurred in a restaurant, shop, or other business, the business owner, property owner, or other party in control of the property could be liable for your damages. A St. Petersburg slip and fall lawyer will investigate your claim to determine what caused your injuries and who is responsible for your damages.

Can I Sue the City of St. Petersburg for a Slip and Fall Accident at St. Pete Pier?

Government entities are protected by sovereign immunity. This means that you cannot sue the government without its permission. However, Florida has waived sovereign immunity for tort actions involving negligence. Therefore, you can sue the City of St. Petersburg if the city’s negligence caused your slip and fall accident. That includes the negligence of its employees.

However, before you can sue the city for a slip and fall accident, you must file an administrative claim with the city. You have three years to file a written claim with the City of St. Petersburg. The city then has 180 days to investigate your claim. If the city denies your claim, you can proceed with a lawsuit.

It is important to remember that the lawsuit must be filed within three years of your accident date. The 180 days to respond to your claim does not extend the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. Therefore, do not wait to pursue a claim against the City of St. Petersburg for a slip and fall accident.

It is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an injury. The longer you wait to talk with an attorney, the harder it might become to prove the city is responsible for your injuries. Evidence may be destroyed or lost. Witnesses may move to another state. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better your chance of winning a case.

What Damages Can I Receive for a St. Pete Pier Slip and Fall Accident?

Slip and fall accidents can result in emotional, physical, and financial damages. You can seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

Examples of damages in a slip and fall accident include, but are not limited to:

  • Out-of-pocket expenses, including household expenses, travel expenses, and personal care
  • Medical treatment, including surgeries, doctor’s bills, and rehabilitative therapies
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Impairment and disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages, including future earning capacity
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Scarring and disfigurement

The value of your damages depends on many factors. If the city or other party makes a settlement offer, it could be lower than the value of your damages. We encourage you to call our office to speak with an attorney before accepting a settlement offer or signing documents. Once you sign a settlement agreement and waiver, you give up the right to sue the party for damages, even if the settlement amount is lower than the value of your damages.

If you have questions about a slip and fall accident, contact Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with an attorney. 

Contact the Pinellas County Slip and Fall Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg Slip and Fall law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 349-1728