Mid Florida, FL Personal Injury Law Firms & Lawyers

Yes, you can. One problem with most slip and falls is that it is difficult to prove that the store was aware of the slippery condition. In your case, if you can show they cause the slippery condition by mopping, you have half the battle won.

A lawyer should always maintain good communication with his/her client. Having said that, depending on the amount of the settlement and the bills/liens you owe, it can take a while to work out reductions. Some medical providers are easy to work with, others can be near impossible, particularly hospitals (which by law have liens that allow them to get their money first). If the goal is to maximize YOUR recovery, it may require patience and time. From what you said, it appears you took less money then the lawyers felt you could get if you pursued the claim (filed suit?). If that is the case, you may in fact have a lot of bills to pay out of a small settlement?  I hope this is not your situation, but it recently took my firm six months to get a bill reduced. Unfortunately, my client’s hospital outstanding bill was far more than the at-fault motorist’s policy.  The hospital wanted 90% of the entire settlement. Although they have a statutory lien, there is no law saying how fast we have to pay them, so we held onto the money until they finally agreed to accept a fraction of what they were trying to get from us.  Two weeks in not a long time if there are significant bills to reduce. If you don’t already know, ask your lawyer how much the bills are and which providers are giving them a hard time. A good lawyer should be happy to explain what is going on. Remember, the lawyer does not get paid until you do*, so they have no incentive to drag this out. (* No money gets distributed from the settlement (including to you or the lawyer), until you sign an accident closing statement; setting out the total settlement, the attorney fees, costs, medical bill reimbursements, any other deductions and your net settlement). Good luck.

You pose a very interesting question. I was unaware that two people could be on the title to a car. Generally, if a person has permission to use the car, then the owner is responsible for any damages or injuries they cause through negligence. But your question is unique in that what if one owner gave permission and the other did not. That begs the question of whether or not one owner has actual or apparent authority to give the other owner's permission to use the car even though the other owner knows nothing about it. Figuring this out could give you a headache. So, here's what I say: you go to this unlicensed operator, preferably with a witness, and make it absolutely clear that he or she does not have your permission to drive the car, that you forbid it, and that the other owner has no right to give this person your permission. Your other option is to seize possession of the car to protect yourself from any liability.