Last Update: 12/15/25
Learn How To Evaluate Your Claim To Determine The Correct Amount Of Damages To Make You Whole Again
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, often resulting in serious injuries like ankle fractures or sprains. These injuries can cause significant physical pain, emotional distress, and financial burdens. Fortunately, Florida’s premises liability law allows victims to recover compensation for their damages. Here’s what you need to know about ankle injuries caused by slip and falls and how to evaluate your claim.
Quick Tip: The Average Ankle Injury Settlement (with surgery) Is $175,000.00 (Details)
What Are The Most Common Types Of Ankle Injuries Caused By Slip and Falls?
- Sprains: Damage to the ligaments, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and months of recovery. In some cases, sprains can lead to chronic instability in the ankle.
- Fractures: Broken bones in the ankle joint or lower leg, which may require surgery, immobilization, and long-term rehabilitation. Severe fractures can result in permanent mobility issues.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to tendons or cartilage, which can weaken the ankle joint and cause chronic pain or arthritis. These injuries may not heal completely, leading to long-term limitations.
These injuries can vary in severity, with some leading to permanent disabilities that impact daily life and work.
What Damages Should You Get For An Ankle Injury Slip and Fall?
If a victim is able to prove that the property owner or business owner was negligent, by showing the property knew or should have known about the dangerous condition that caused the victim’s ankle injury, then the victim can recover a variety of damages. Florida law recognizes two types of damages in a premises liability claim. They are: economic (monetary) damages, and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are monetary out of pocket expenses, such as:
- Medical bills (e.g., surgery, physical therapy, medications)
- EMS bills and transportation costs
- Lost wages due to missed work or reduced earning capacity.
Conditions caused by a slip and fall like ankle pain or being unable to participate in regular activities are called non-economic damages, and they include:
- Pain and suffering caused by the injury
- Emotional distress such as anxiety or depression
- Loss of the enjoyment of life, such as being unable to participate in hobbies or activities.
These damages aim to make you “whole” again by addressing both financial and emotional losses.
For more, read: Personal Injury Damages
Different Lifestyles Mean Different Issues To Consider When Valuing An Ankle Injury Claim
Not all ankle injury victims face the same outcomes. It is not just a matter of the different type of injury — break or strain, bone or tendon. There are many other factors that come into play when determining the amount of compensation it will take to make a victim whole. Factors like occupation, lifestyle, and age can significantly impact the value of your claim.
Let’s consider two examples of ankle injuries:
- Example 1: Joe Fisher, a commercial fisherman who had a good day at the Big Easy Casino down the street before he slipped and fell on water in the restaurant there and broke his ankle bone. His active lifestyle and physically demanding job mean his injury could prevent him from working, leading to higher compensation for lost wages and emotional distress.
- Example 2: Jim Lazyboi, a retired stockbroker addicted to stamp collecting slipped and fell on some spilled coffee at the coffee shop and broke his ankle bone when he and his lovely wife stopped for a break while shopping at Hallandale’s RK Center or at the Publix on East Hallanale Beach Boulevard. While his medical bills may be similar, his sedentary lifestyle means his claim for lost wages or emotional distress may be lower.
These examples highlight how compensation is tailored to each victim’s unique circumstances.
For more, read: Can Age Affect Settlement Of A Personal Injury Claim?
Quick Legal Tip: A lawsuit based on negligence must be filed in the appropriate Florida court within two (2) years of the date the incident occurred.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Slip and Fall?
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the report.
- Be truthful and accurate when describing the accident.
- Do not over or understate your injury
- Document the scene with photos and gather contact information from witnesses.
- Be aware that businesses may have surveillance footage of the incident.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
What Should You Do Now?
Ankle injuries from slip and fall accidents can have life-altering consequences, from mounting medical bills to long-term pain and loss of mobility. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t navigate the claims process alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights, evaluate your claim, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Alan Sackrin, a Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Expert, has decades of experience helping slip and fall victims recover the compensation they need to move forward.
If you’ve suffered an ankle injury in a slip and fall accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Contact Alan Sackrin, an experienced personal injury lawyer, for a free consultation. Call 954-458-8655 today and let Alan fight for the compensation you deserve.
NOW WATCH:
What are the types of pain and suffering damages you can recover in a Florida slip and fall lawsuit?
Related:
- Do You Have A Slip And Fall Case?
- What’s Your Slip And Fall Case Worth?
- Florida Slip/Trip and Fall Law
_______________
Do you have questions or comments? Then please feel free to send Alan an email or call him now at (954) 458-8655.
If you found this information helpful, please share this article and bookmark it for your future reference.
