Stepping onto someone else’s property with permission in Florida comes with an implicit expectation that the property owner (or other responsible parties) has taken all necessary precautions to provide you with a safe visit free from avoidable hazards. Whether you are visiting a private residence, a commercial property, government building, or public space, there is a range of protections in place meant to guarantee that a visitor is financially protected in the event of an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or otherwise failed duty of care to visitors.
There are countless ways that someone can be injured while on someone else’s property. The resulting legal case can be extremely complicated as the insurance company or defense lawyers representing the property owner work to avoid financial responsibility entirely or settle a claim for as little as possible. Trying to face off against an aggressive team of attorneys or an insurance adjuster can be complicated for anyone. This is especially true for people suffering through the pain of injuries, medical care, and all other significant disruptions that unexpected injuries cause. Insurers know this and leverage a claimant’s anxiety or inexperience to their advantage.
Working with a personal injury attorney after a premises liability accident is one of the best ways to get the support you need through your claim and to fight for the money you rightfully deserve. However, finding an available attorney can feel like just one more complicated step to take after an accident. Unfortunately, many people simply file an insurance claim without partnering with a premises liability lawyer. 1-800-Injured makes it easy to connect with a Tallahassee premises liability attorney while still focusing on your own needs.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Connect With a Premises Liability Attorney With Ease
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. Instead of going through the process of finding a lawyer who is available to represent you, we will connect you with a personal injury attorney and schedule a free consultation for you. During your consultation, you will be able to go over all of the specifics of your situation and ask all of the questions you are certain to have about your legal options. Getting these answers can help you stay focused on your recovery without taking on additional and harmful anxiety that can negatively impact your health. Partnering with a lawyer will give you the support you need to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Read more below to get a better idea of some common premises liability issues in Florida, and contact us as soon as possible to get started on your case with the support of a proven personal injury attorney today.
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
The following are just a few of the many possible ways that someone can be injured or killed while visiting someone else’s property, and whether or not you see your situation listed below, remember that no two accidents are alike, no matter how similar they appear at the surface. Contact us now to speak with an attorney and learn about how they can help you get the money you deserve after an accident.
Slips, Trips, and Falls
Wet or slick floors, debris in walkways, or other hazards that can cause someone to slip or trip and fall can lead to severe injuries like fractures, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue damage, and more. These are the most common types of premises liability accidents because of how broad of a category these potential accidents fall under. We often see large yellow signs in grocery aisles and in front of public restrooms warning of wet floors to avoid these types of accidents when possible.
Elevator or Escalator Accidents
Elevators and escalators are very common in commercial, government, or other large buildings. Most often, we can ride them without a second thought; however, these machines are complex and require extensive maintenance to ensure that they continue to run smoothly and without incident. If you are hurt in an accident on an elevator or escalator, there are many different parties that may be held liable depending on things like maintenance contracts and more.
Uneven Flooring
Uneven flooring such as loose wood panels, bunched carpeting, or otherwise unsafe flooring can cause a tripping hazard and lead to a serious injury. If you have tripped and fallen as a result of some sort of uneven surface, try to take a picture of the hazard as soon as possible to clearly show the issue and convey the seriousness of the situation to both your attorney as well as the insurance company or defense team you will be working with to recover compensation for your injuries.
Inadequate Lighting
Inadequate lighting in places like stairwells, hallways, or parking garages can lead to various dangerous situations, including slips and trips, as well as violent attacks, robberies, or sexual assaults. Property owners are expected to provide adequate lighting for visitors to keep them safe from all sorts of harm. A failure to do so may mean that the owner is held liable for any injuries sustained due to this failure.
Dangerous Stairways
Stairs must be built and maintained to the Florida building code, including specific tread depths, riser heights, handrails, and more. Things like loose stairs treads, missing or broken railings, cluttered stairs, bunched tread carpeting, and any number of other hazards can lead to serious or fatal injuries that a property owner must be held accountable for.
Who Is Responsible For Your Accident?
Depending on whether you were on private premises, a government building, a commercial location, a construction zone, or a public space, the liable party will vary depending on a number of specifics. Property owners may have management contracts with third-party companies. These contracts may hold the maintenance company liable for any accidents on the premises. This is just one of the many examples of the complications that can come with determining who you can seek compensation from.
Connecting with an attorney as soon as possible helps you make sense of these first steps and get started on your legal journey while giving your recovery the time and attention that it needs to facilitate your healing.