When you visit another person’s property, it’s reasonable that you expect that they keep their property in safe and hazard-free condition. However, unsuspecting guests still sustain injuries all of the time. If you or a loved one are the victim of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages under a premises liability case.
There are local, state, and federal laws that obligate property owners to meet certain duties of care to keep their building and land safe for others. Property owners must be held accountable for their negligence when they breach their duty of care to others. This accountability can be sought through a premises liability case.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability law is a concept that attributes legal responsibility to a property owner when an injury is caused by some type of hazard or defective condition on the property.
Premises liability injuries, similar to many personal injury cases, are born out of negligence on the part of the property owner. “Property owners” can refer to homeowners, business owners, rental property management companies or owners, and commercial property owners.
When you bring a premises liability case against someone, you must prove that:
- The person causing the injury (defendant) owned, occupied, leased, or managed the property where the injury occurred
- The defendant was negligent regarding the conditions of the property
- The victim (plaintiff) was harmed
- The defendant’s negligence played a significant role in causing the injury
Premises liability laws can vary by state, so it’s crucial that you have an experienced premises liability lawyer on your side who knows the ins and outs of your state’s laws. A good premises liability lawyer will be able to prove each of the above elements regarding your case and fight for maximum recovery on your behalf.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases
Premises liability can cover a wide range of cases, so you’ll want to research the different types to find a lawyer who has experience with your specific accident.
There are many different types of premises liability cases that our firm handles, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Dog bites
- Snow and ice accidents
- Defective conditions on the premises
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Unsafe staircase accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Toxic fumes or chemicals
- Poor or inadequate building security that led to an injury or assault
- Puddles, leaks, or flooding accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Smoke and fire-related injuries
- Electrocution accidents
These types of premises liability cases often result in serious injuries such as broken bones, electric shocks, neck injuries, or burns. It’s critical that victims take these injuries seriously and seek immediate medical treatment.
Slip and Fall Accident Injuries
The most common type of premises liability case that our firm sees are slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents are one of the top three leading causes of unintentional death. At best, a slip and fall victim sustains an injury that they can recover from. At worst, a fall victim dies or becomes severely disabled.
Common slip and fall accident injuries include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Severe sprains
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Soft tissue injuries
Many of these injuries often lead to other complications and require extensive physical therapy or long recovery timelines, not to mention hefty medical expenses. A premises liability case can help victims recover the damages they need to heal from their injuries.
Contact a Florida Premises Liability Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one have sustained an injury as a result of a property owner’s negligence, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages. Property owners have a duty to their guests and invitees to maintain a safe environment; hold them accountable with a premises liability case.
Contact Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath at For Your Rights at (561) 655-1990 for a risk-free case consultation. We can match you with an experienced Florida premises liability lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
