Slip & Fall Law

The trial attorneys of Van Riper & Nies, Tim Nies, a former insurance company attorney and Army Ranger Veteran, and Chris Van Riper, a former Prosecutor, represents individuals and families in Palm Beach county who have suffered an injury due to a fall caused by the carelessness or reckless of others. We are known by insurance company attorneys for our trial skills, for leaving no stone unturned and for being legal warriors for our clients. 

Filing a claim quickly is critical to a successful slip and fall or trip and fall claim.  Oftentimes, the scene of the fall may be altered and important evidence may be lost if not documented and retained quickly. Our attorneys and investigators quickly investigate claims in order to preserve evidence. According to our attorney Timothy Nies, a former insurance defense attorney for the largest insurance defense firm in the world, who has litigated and tried slip and fall cases for insurance companies, comments that fall cases usually involve: 

- Water or other liquids left on a floor,

- Slippery or dangerous flooring,

- Obstructed or blocked store aisles,

- Misplaced merchandise, 

- Narrow stairways, 

- Improperly designed stairs, 

- Inadequate stair handrails, 

- Inadequate or improper lighting, 

- Improperly designed and unsafe balconies,

- Ripped or torn carpeting.

The Florida legislature, which is heavily in favor of business over people, recently changed to the law relating to slip and falls in favor of businesses. Now, before one can be compensated for their harms and losses, such as payment of past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, or inconvenience, it must be proven that a homeowner or business owner had notice of the unsafe condition or should have discovered the unsafe condition. Insurance company attorneys are very familiar with Florida’s slip and fall laws. You need an experienced attorney on your side fighting for your rights.

To determine the specific cause of an injury, an attorney often must hire an expert, such as an engineer, an accident reconstruction expert or a human factors expert to investigate the incident and testify before a jury. Our personal injury law firm utilizes experienced expert witnesses to assist in the investigation of the claim and at trial. We spare no expense.

Insurance companies of homeowner and businesses know that many slip and fall and trip and fall cases are dismissed prior to a jury trial because the injured plaintiff may be incapable of proving the elements of such a claim. If we accept your case, rest assured that we will quickly investigate your claim and file a claim with the insurance company or immediately file a complaint in the Palm Beach Circuit Court. It is our policy to prepare every case as if it is going to trial.

For more information about our injury practice, please call us at 561-948-5588 or email Tim Nies at tim@vanriperandnies.com.