Suffering from a slip and fall accident on someone else’s property?
Injured on someone else's property? Maaswinkel Law handles premises liability claims across Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties on a contingency fee basis.
Serving injured Floridians since 1997
Orlando based Premises Liability Attorney
Why Choose Maaswinkel Law for Your Slip and Fall Case?
When you’re hurt due to a property owner’s negligence, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a fierce advocate who understands Florida’s complex premises liability laws. At Maaswinkel Law, we combine deep local knowledge with national-level results to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Practicing Since 1997
Founding attorney Greg Maaswinkel has represented injured Floridians since 1997.
Contingency Fee Basis
Fees and costs are explained in writing before you hire us.
Local & Responsive
Based in Orlando, we know the courts, the property owners, and their insurers.
Personalized Service
You’ll always talk to your attorney, not a call center, about your injury claim.
Common Slip & Fall Injuries & Damages
Injuries from a trip and fall aren’t always minor. They can result in life-changing costs for medical bills, time away from work, and pain.
- Spinal cord injuries (herniated discs or nerve damage)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) from hitting your head on the floor
- Complex fractures (especially hip fractures, ankles, or wrists)
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, ligament tears, and contusions)
- Shoulder, rotator cuff, and meniscus tears requiring surgery
- Chronic pain and reduced mobility issues
The Maaswinkel Law Difference
What We Fight to Recover:
- Hospital bills and future medical treatment (e.g., surgeries)
- Lost wages & loss of earning capacity
- Pain & suffering, emotional distress
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Damaged personal property (e.g., shattered phone, glasses, watch)
- Punitive damages (when gross negligence is proven)
Not sure what you can claim? Contact our Orlando slip and fall attorney now — we’ll help you understand what your case is worth.
What You Should Do After a Slip and Fall Accident
Your actions immediately following a fall can make or break your ability to prove owner negligence. Follow these critical steps:
Ensure safety & call 911 if you are seriously injured.
Collect evidence — Take photos of the hazard (wet floor, broken railing, inadequate lighting) and your injuries.
Exchange info with witnesses & property management (but avoid giving extensive statements).
Complete an incident report with the store or property manager.
Seek medical treatment immediately to document your injuries.
Avoid recorded statements with insurance adjusters.
Call Maaswinkel Law before signing anything or agreeing to a low offer.
If you delay medical treatment, property insurers may claim your injuries weren’t caused by the fall.
How Maaswinkel Law Handles Your Case
From day one, we take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovery and finding the best medical care.
Case Evaluation & Investigation
We gather incident reports, secure surveillance footage, inspect the property, and establish the owner’s knowledge (actual or constructive) of the hazard.
Settlement Negotiation
We demand full compensation from the commercial or homeowner’s liability insurance carrier, building a case based on proving premises liability.
Filing a Lawsuit
If insurers lowball, we file a formal lawsuit to enforce your rights in court.
Discovery & Mediation
We engage in depositions of property owners and witnesses, gather expert testimony, and participate in formal settlement talks.
Trial
Slip & Fall Risks & Statistics
As experienced premises liability lawyers in Orlando, we know local risks. Slip and fall accidents are common in high-traffic commercial and public areas. Common causes in Central Florida include: inadequate lighting in parking lots, unmarked spills in retail stores, broken stairs or railings in apartments, and damaged sidewalks near tourist areas. We are prepared to hold owners of large commercial properties, grocery stores, and tourist attractions accountable for failing to maintain safe premises.
Common Slip and Fall Questions
Florida sets a higher bar for slip and fall claims than most states. Section 768.0755 requires proof that a business knew or should have known about the hazard. These answers cover what that means in practice.
What do I have to prove in a Florida slip and fall case?
Florida sets a higher bar than most states. Under Section 768.0755, if you slipped on a transitory substance in a business, you must prove the business had actual knowledge of the hazard, or constructive knowledge — that it existed long enough they should have found it, or occurred regularly enough to be foreseeable. Incident reports, surveillance footage, and inspection logs usually decide these cases.
What kind of negligence state is Florida?
Florida uses modified comparative negligence, adopted under House Bill 837 in 2023 and codified at Section 768.81. If you are found more than 50% at fault for your own fall, you recover nothing. At 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. This replaced Florida’s earlier pure comparative negligence system, so older guidance online is out of date.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall claim in Florida?
Two years from the date of the fall for claims arising on or after March 24, 2023. Falls before that date are generally governed by the prior four-year period. You will find page-one results still citing four years — that guidance predates the 2023 change. Claims against government entities follow different and shorter notice rules.
What if I fell on city or county property?
Different rules apply. Claims against a city, county, or state entity require formal written pre-suit notice before a lawsuit can be filed, and sovereign immunity under Section 768.28 caps the recoverable amount. The notice deadlines are shorter than the standard filing deadline, so these claims need attention quickly.