You're on vacation in Florida and fell in a store, you thought nothing of it until.... You find out you have a broken arm! It happens, and when it happens in Florida while you’re visiting, it can feel extra overwhelming because you’re not at home. You don’t know the local doctors, you don’t know the rules, and you’re probably staring at a cast thinking, “How am I supposed to deal with this from out of state?” Here’s what to do, step-by-step. 1) Get medical care immediately (and document the broken arm) A broken arm isn’t a “wait and see” injury. If you haven’t already, go to an urgent care or ER and get proper imaging and treatment. If you already went and came back, keep everything: Discharge paperwork X-ray/imaging reports Doctor instructions Prescriptions Bills and receipts (including copays, braces, slings, and medications) Even if you’re thinking, “It’s obvious my arm is broken,” insurance companies still lean heavily on medical records. Your treatment timeline matters. 2) Tell the store and get an incident report—before you leave town If you fell in a store, you want a written incident report from the manager or the corporate process. Be calm and direct. Give the basics: Date and time Where it happened (aisle, entrance, restroom, etc.) What you slipped/tripped on (liquid, debris, uneven flooring, curled mat, clutter) That you were injured and sought medical care   Ask for: A copy of the incident report (some stores won’t give it, but ask anyway) The name/title of the person you spoke to The store number/location Any claim number if they open one If they won’t give you a copy, take a photo of the manager’s business card or write down their [...]

Picture this: You slip on a wet spot in a big-box store. Your back lights up. Your pride takes a hit. You’re embarrassed, shaken, and trying to get to your car without making a scene. Then the manager pulls you aside with a calm voice and a friendly smile, saying they'll take care of everything...Now, after the emotions have subsided and the chaos is over, you're wondering, "Should I trust that?" It sounds reassuring—like the problem is taken care of. But here’s the reality in Florida injury cases: a store manager’s promise is not a settlement, not a check, and definitely not a legal deadline extension. In many cases, it’s the beginning of a process run by a claims department that has one job: pay as little as possible, as late as possible, or not at all. And because Florida’s statute of limitations recently changed, waiting can cost you your entire case. Verbal promises vs. the claims department: two different worlds Store employees are trained to de-escalate. They may genuinely want to help. But most businesses—especially chains—don’t “handle” injury claims in the store. They report the incident, and the file gets kicked to corporate risk management or an insurance adjuster. That’s when the tone often changes: “We’re still investigating.” “We don’t see negligence.” “Can you give a recorded statement?” “We can offer you a small amount for your trouble—today.” None of that is “taking care of everything.” It’s positioning. A helpful way to think about it: the manager is like the front desk at a hotel after a bad room. They can apologize and offer a new key. The claims department is the corporate office deciding whether they owe you a refund at all. Why [...]