Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyer

If you were injured on someone else’s property and suspect negligence may be to blame, call our law firm as soon as possible. We can work to obtain full compensation and help you move forward from the incident.

Each attorney on our staff has the skill and experience needed to make your case as strong as possible. If you would like us to put our knowledge and expertise to work for you, use our online contact form or call (561) 655-1990 for a free evaluation of your case.

Steps to take if you were hurt on someone else’s property

If you’ve been hurt on someone’s property, taking the following steps will be important because they’ll help ensure your health, and they’ll help you build a very strong case.

1. Visit a doctor as soon as possible

Your first step should always be to get medical attention. Even when someone falls and suffers severe injuries, they might not think they’re hurt badly because the symptoms of their injury can be masked by adrenaline. 

As the effects of that adrenaline subside, they’ll start to feel the aches and pains or might experience other potentially dangerous side effects.

Even if you think you’re alright, see a doctor as soon as you can because untreated injuries can become significantly worse, and their effects might be irreversible. Quick medical intervention could be the difference between a relatively fast recovery and an injury that lingers for months.

It’s also essential that you understand that the negligent party’s insurance company is going to use any excuse possible to deny you the compensation you deserve.

Failing to get timely medical help will play right into their hands — they could claim your injury wasn’t as serious as you’re letting on, or they can claim you had a pre-existing injury and you’re just trying to get the defendant to foot the bill.

 2. Take photographs and gather evidence

If possible and if it’s safe for you to do so (considering your injuries and the safety of the scene itself), take photos and videos of the accident scene, the surrounding area, your injuries, and any other damage that was caused. Your photos could provide the powerful evidence it will take to help you obtain maximum compensation.

Get the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of any witnesses who witnessed what happened or who were in the area around the time of the accident. They can corroborate your statement of events, or they can attest to the unsafe conditions on the property.

You don’t need to worry about getting their statement because your Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer can do that for you.

3. File an incident or police report

You might be considering legal action because your accident happened in a public place such as your local mall, a hardware store, or a restaurant parking lot. You’ll need to fill out an incident report as quickly as possible and submit it to the property owner or manager.

If you can’t locate a manager, landlord, or another person to whom you should submit a report, file a police report. Keep a copy of your report for your records so you’re protected against any potential unethical behavior.

4. Keep copies of your medical and expense records

Don’t throw away anything that is related to your accident and your injuries. This is especially true when it comes to paperwork involving your medical treatment and its costs because your Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyer will use that paperwork to help prove your medical expenses as part of the damages you should recover. 

5. Speak with an attorney

Finally, you should get in touch with a Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyer as soon as you can. Your legal representative will investigate your accident to determine how the accident happened, the identity of all liable parties, and can retain medical and vocational experts that might be necessary and helpful for your case.

Types of premises liability cases

There are several actions that give rise to a premises liability lawsuit. Here’s a look at some of the incidents we handle regularly. 

Slip-and-falls

Slip-and-falls are probably the most common form of a premises liability lawsuit. When someone slips on a wet surface or trips on a box or some other obstruction, the injuries they suffer can be devastating.

Falling merchandise or debris

The people who stock shelves sometimes rush through their job which can pose major injury risks to shoppers and patrons because products that weren’t properly shelved, stored, or stacked could fall on someone and cause serious, catastrophic injuries. 

Faulty elevators or escalators

Elevator and escalator accidents can also be horrible and can cause injuries with life-long impacts. A common cause of these incidents is the improper maintenance of the machinery. 

Inadequate or negligent security

Property owners have a duty to visitors to ensure their properties are safe, including the exterior. If you tripped in a poorly lit parking lot, you might have grounds for a premises liability lawsuit.

Playground or amusement park accidents

Children suffer playground and amusement park injuries far too often. Negligent supervision can be to blame, as can faulty maintenance of rides and other equipment. 

Swimming pool accidents

There are many tragedies involving swimming pools each year. Sometimes the issue is that no one is watching children which can cause them to drown, or they might fall while running around the pool. In other instances, a property owner might not have installed proper fencing around the pool or have failed to ensure the gate is properly secured. If a child enters and is hurt (or worse), that property owner could be held liable.

Dog or other animal bites

Whether a dog was being protective of their owners, escaped from their home, or believed they were in danger and attacked someone, it can cause horrible bodily damage. The owner of the animal could be held responsible.

Possible damages you can claim

Damages are your financial losses stemming from the accident and resulting injury. There are two types of damages that you may be able to recover: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are those that are easily calculable using bills, invoices, and receipts. They include medical bills, lost wages, and more.

You may also be able to claim non-economic damages, which are not as easily calculable and  include emotional trauma, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.

Only a skilled premises liability lawyer can properly calculate the amount of damages to which you’re entitled.

Common premises liability injuries

A property owner’s negligence can cause all kinds of incidents, many of which lead to serious injuries such as:

• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal injuries
• Neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Make sure you file a claim on time

Florida has a Two-year statute of limitations for premises liability lawsuits. This means you have two years from the date of your accident to take legal action.

However, you should act immediately so that your Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer can provide the most effective possible representation before potentially pivotal evidence disappears.

We’ll work to obtain maximum compensation

When you turn to Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we’ll fight for your rights at every turn. No matter how formidable the opposition may be, we’ll work to gather the solid evidence needed to help you win your case. 

Who may be liable for your injury

Multiple parties could potentially be liable for your injuries in a premises liability lawsuit. 

For example, if you slipped on a spill in a grocery store, the owner of the store could be liable because no one bothered to clean the spill in a timely manner or no one put up signs to warn patrons of the potential hazard. If you were robbed in a parking lot in an area known for a high crime rate, the owner could be liable for failing to provide adequate security.

The fact that more than one party could be responsible is just one of the reasons why it’s so important to get legal help as soon as possible. The earlier you hire a Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyer, the earlier we can start our investigation. 

There are a lot of complexities involved in this kind of case, but a skilled lawyer can navigate you through them and will help you get the money you deserve.

How our attorneys prove liability

Our attorneys have decades of experience investigating these kinds of accidents and proving that a property or business owner failed to keep their property safe.

We prove this by establishing that the property owner:

• Knew of the potential danger(s)
• Had a duty to ensure their property was safe for you
• Failed to uphold that duty and caused you harm

We know how to collect essential evidence and how to present that evidence in the most compelling manner possible. 

Cost of hiring a premises liability lawyer

When you choose Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, you won’t pay us a dime unless and until we win your case. If we’re successful, we’ll receive a portion of your compensation. There are other advantages available to our clients, such as medical liens which help keep money in your pocket while you recover. 

Our Port St. Lucie premises liability lawyers are here to help

Please get in touch with a Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath as soon as you can following an injury on someone else’s property. You can schedule a free case review by contacting us online or giving us a call at (561) 655-1990.