Gainesville Slip and Fall Attorneys
For generations, Avera & Smith has been the go-to law firm for serious slip and fall accidents in Gainesville.
Gainesville Office
- 2814 SW 13th St. Gainesville, FL
- 352-372-9999
By submitting this form, you authorize Avera & Smith to contact you regarding your potential case. Contacting us through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. See Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Gainesville Slip and Fall Attorneys Fighting for Injured Victims
Property owners in Gainesville have a legal responsibility to maintain safe premises. When they fail to address dangerous conditions, the resulting injuries can be devastating, leading to costly medical treatment, lost income, chronic pain, and lasting physical limitations.
Whether you slipped on a wet floor, tripped over a hazardous walkway, or were injured because of inadequate lighting or poor property maintenance, you may be entitled to significant compensation. For more than 70 years, Avera & Smith has been trusted to hold negligent property owners accountable throughout Gainesville, Alachua County, and North Central Florida, fighting aggressively to secure justice and maximum compensation for injured victims.
Call Avera & Smith today at 352-372-9999 for a free consultation — no upfront costs and no fee unless we win.
What Should I Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Gainesville?
The steps you take immediately after a slip and fall accident in Gainesville can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. Property owners and their insurance companies begin building their defense quickly, often arguing that the hazard didn't exist, that it was open and obvious, or that you were responsible for your own fall. Taking the right steps from the beginning protects your rights and strengthens your case.x
Report the accident immediately - Tell the property owner, manager, or supervisor about the accident before you leave the premises and make sure it is documented in writing. Request a copy of any incident report that is filed.
Seek medical attention right away - Even if your injuries don't seem serious, some conditions, like soft tissue injuries, concussions, and spinal injuries, don't present full symptoms immediately. Getting medical treatment right away creates a documented record that links your injuries to the accident.
Document everything you can - Take photographs of the hazard that caused your fall, the surrounding area, any warning signs that were or weren't present, and your injuries. If there were witnesses, gather their contact information before leaving.
Don't give a recorded statement -Insurance company adjusters often contact accident victims quickly hoping to get a recorded statement before they have legal representation. Do not speak with any insurance company before consulting with a Gainesville slip and fall attorney.
Contact Avera & Smith as soon as possible - Evidence from a slip and fall accident can disappear within days. The sooner we're involved, the better positioned we are to preserve the evidence that makes your case.
Why Insurance Companies Take Avera & Smith Seriously
When you hire Avera & Smith, you're not just hiring an attorney; you’re hiring a powerhouse firm backed by decades of experience, proven results, and a reputation for taking on insurance companies and winning. Property owners and their insurers know our reputation, and that reputation changes how your case is handled from day one.
70+ Years Serving Gainesville
Since Bill Avera opened his practice in Gainesville more than 70 years ago, our firm has been fighting for injured clients across Alachua County and North Central Florida. We know Gainesville's properties, its courts, and its community. This local knowledge gives our clients a strategic advantage.
Board Certified Trial Attorneys
Partners Mark Avera and Jennifer Cates Lester hold board certification in civil trial law from the Florida Bar, a distinction earned by fewer than 5% of Florida's licensed attorneys. When insurance companies see board certified trial attorneys on the other side, they take the case more seriously from the very first conversation.
We Build Every Case Like It's Going to Trial
Property owners and their insurers fight hard to deny or minimize slip and fall claims. We prepare every Gainesville slip and fall case for trial from day one. This preparation gives us leverage at every stage of negotiation.
Million Dollar Results
Our attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction reserved for lawyers who have secured settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million. We know what maximum compensation looks like and we know how to pursue it.
We Know How the Other Side Thinks
More than one of our attorneys spent time working at insurance defense firms before dedicating their careers to representing injured victims. We know exactly how insurers evaluate claims, where they look for weaknesses, and how to build a case they can't easily dismiss.
No Fee Unless We Win
We handle every slip and fall case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing out of pocket. If we don't recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing.
Meet the Attorneys Who Fight for You
Behind every successful case is a team that knows how to take on insurance companies and deliver results. At Avera & Smith, our attorneys bring decades of experience, proven outcomes, and a reputation that demands respect.
What Our Gainesville Clients Say
“Thank you SO much, Avera & Smith, for representing me so well, and seeing to it that I was fairly compensated for the injuries I sustained in my accident!
I really appreciate the wonderful way I was treated with skill, competence, integrity, compassion, and dignity throughout the entire process."
Sherry Underwood
“I cannot recommend Lance Avera highly enough for anyone facing a workers’ compensation case. After my workplace injury, I felt overwhelmed with the insurance company trying to make medical decisions and minimize my injuries, but Lance, Dana & Jenny immediately stepped in with unwavering determination."
Chris Russsel
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Gainesville
Slip and fall accidents in Gainesville are commonly caused by wet or slippery floors – including recently mopped or waxed floors - without adequate warning signs, uneven or broken pavement and sidewalks, poor lighting in stairwells, parking lots, and walkways, loose or torn carpeting and flooring, cluttered walkways and aisles, and broken or missing handrails. In a city with a large student population and significant foot traffic around the University of Florida and surrounding commercial areas, these hazards are unfortunately common. Avera & Smith investigates every angle of your case to identify the specific cause of your fall and hold the responsible party accountable.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Gainesville Slip and Fall?
A successful slip and fall claim in Gainesville can provide compensation for medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and future care needs, lost wages and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work, pain and suffering, permanent disability or scarring, and wrongful death damages if a loved one was lost in a slip and fall accident. Florida's comparative fault rules mean that if you are found partially at fault for your accident, your compensation may be reduced proportionally — which is one of the reasons having an experienced Gainesville slip and fall attorney on your side is so important. Our attorneys fight to make sure fault is accurately assigned, and your compensation reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Our Gainesville Office
2814 SW 13th Street Gainesville, FL 32608
Phone: 352-372-9999
Toll Free: 800-654-4659
Fax: 352-375-2526
Frequently Asked Questions: Slip and Fall Accidents in Gainesville
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Gainesville?
Florida's statute of limitations for slip and fall claims is generally two years from the date of your accident. Missing this deadline can permanently eliminate your right to seek compensation regardless of how strong your case is. In Gainesville, critical evidence like surveillance footage from the property where you fell can disappear within days or weeks. That’s why contacting a slip and fall attorney as soon as possible after your accident is so important. Avera & Smith offers free consultations and is ready to get to work on your case immediately.
How Much Is a Slip and Fall Case Worth in Gainesville?
The value of a slip and fall case depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment now and in the future, how much income you've lost while recovering, and the overall impact the injuries have had on your daily life. Florida's comparative fault rules can also affect your compensation if you are found partially responsible for the accident. Avera & Smith's attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have secured settlements and verdicts exceeding $1 million for their clients. Contact us for a free consultation and we'll give you an honest assessment of what your case may be worth.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for My Slip and Fall?
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your accident. However, you must be found 50% or less at fault. Your compensation will then be awarded based on your fault percentage. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. Insurance companies frequently argue that slip and fall victims were partially or fully responsible for their own accidents. That’s why you need an experienced Gainesville slip and fall attorney on your side to ensure you receive full and fair compensation. Avera & Smith fights to make sure you receive every dollar you deserve.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Slip and Fall in Gainesville?
If you've been injured in a slip and fall in Gainesville, having an attorney significantly improves your chances of recovering full compensation. Property owners and their insurance companies have experienced legal teams whose job is to minimize what they pay, often arguing the hazard was open and obvious, that you weren't paying attention, or that your injuries aren't as serious as claimed. An experienced Gainesville slip and fall attorney knows how to counter these arguments, gather the evidence needed to prove liability, and fight for a result that truly reflects the impact your injuries have had on your life. At Avera & Smith consultations are always free, so there is no risk in finding out where you stand.
Injured in Gainesville? We're Ready to Fight for You.
For over 70 years, Avera & Smith has been the law firm Gainesville turns to after serious slip and fall accidents. Don't let property owners and their insurance companies decide what your case is worth. Contact us today for a free consultation — no upfront costs and no fees unless we win.
By submitting this form, you authorize Avera & Smith to contact you regarding your potential case. Contacting us through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. See Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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