Common Types of Premises Liability Lawsuits in Hollywood, FL
When visiting someone else’s property, patronizing a business, or going out in a public space, you have every right to expect that you will be reasonably safe from harm in Hollywood, Florida. Unfortunately, if a property owner or manager fails to inspect the property and address hazards or warn visitors of dangers they might face, severe injury accidents could easily happen. You should not be left to bear the costs of losses in situations like these.
Contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A. today if you’ve been hurt in an accident on someone else’s unsafe property. Our Hollywood, FL, premises liability lawyers can go over the accident with you and determine if you may be eligible for compensation. We’ve secured many significant settlements and verdicts for our clients.
For more than four decades, our team has provided skilled legal representation to injured Floridians. We are ready to stand up and fight for you if you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property.
Get your free initial consultation with a Hollywood, FL, premises liability attorney by calling us or reaching out to us online today.
What Is a Premises Liability Lawsuit?
Property owners and occupiers have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for tenants, guests, customers of their business, and so on. If a property owner or occupier fails in their obligation to other people on their property, they can be held liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence.
Property owners owe different levels of responsibility to different people on their property, depending on the relationship between the property owner and the other party.
If someone is on the property with permission, the property owner or occupier has a greater responsibility toward that person. Social guests, tenants, and other visitors can hold a property owner or occupier responsible for not taking reasonable steps to prevent injuries from known hazards.
If the injured person is a business customer, they can even hold the property owner or occupier liable for unknown hazards if there’s a reasonable belief that the property owner or occupier should have known about the danger.
If someone is on the property without permission, the property owner or occupier can be held liable only for intentional or willful injuries to the trespasser.
Most Common Premises Liability Lawsuits
Property owners and occupiers can be negligent in many ways, leading to accidents on their property. Some of the most common premises liability cases include:
- Slip-and-Fall Cases — Spilled liquids, loose objects, stray cords, and other hazards can cause someone to lose their footing and slip. Slip-and-fall accidents can lead to severe injuries like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries.
- Inadequate Property Maintenance — Property owners and occupiers should make sure walkways, sidewalks, and other common areas of their property are free of potential hazards. These hazards could include wet floors, sinkholes, loose or broken railings, worn stairs, etc. If they don’t adequately maintain a property, any of these dangers could lead to a serious accident.
- Dog and Other Animal Bites — Aggressive dogs and other animals can do tremendous damage if the animal attacks. Property owners and occupiers must ensure others are protected from potentially dangerous animals on their grounds.
- Construction Site Negligence — Construction sites are full of potential hazards that could cause an accident, from heavy tools and industrial equipment to falling objects and toxic chemicals. Someone can easily be injured at a construction site if supervisors and workers don’t take safety seriously.
- Parking Lot Accidents — Cracked pavement and potholes in parking lots frequently cause people to lose their balance and fall, sometimes leading to significant injuries. Property owners and occupiers should take steps to minimize these types of accidents in parking lots.
- Inadequate Security/Negligent Security — Intruders could assault or rob tenants and guests if proper security measures aren’t in place. Maintaining a secure environment to protect visitors, tenants, and guests is a responsibility of a property owner or occupier.
How to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit
If you’ve been injured in a premises liability accident, the steps you can take to establish a strong premises liability lawsuit include:
- Taking pictures of the accident scene and any injuries you sustained
- Seeking medical attention and obtaining records of your medical treatment
- Getting the names of any eyewitnesses
- Filing a written accident report with the property owner, landlord, or property manager
- Avoid providing statements to insurance companies
- Avoid posting about the accident on social media
After completing these steps, it’s time to talk to a lawyer. An experienced lawyer can help review your rights and walk you through the process of filing a premises liability claim. It’s essential to meet with a lawyer before giving any statements to an insurance company. Your lawyer can provide advice about legal options and how to proceed with a claim.
Your attorney will then take your evidence and conduct their own investigation. They will determine if you’re eligible for compensation and who could potentially be held liable for your losses. Your lawyer can then file a claim with the responsible party’s property insurance company to seek fair compensation for your losses.
From here, there are two ways your case can end. One potential conclusion is your lawyer helps you reach a fair settlement with the insurance company. If the settlement is acceptable, you’ll sign it, receive compensation, and the case is over. However, you may need to bring your case to court if the insurance company won’t agree to a fair settlement. If your case goes to court, having an experienced trial attorney on your side is essential.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Cases in Florida?
The statute of limitations for premises liability sets the deadline for the time frame to file a lawsuit after an accident. In Florida, you have two years from the date of an accident to file a premises liability suit. However, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to make sure critical evidence isn’t lost.
Common Damages Your Claim Could Pursue
Premise liability claims can include compensation for the following factors associated with an accident:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Psychological injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death
Contact our Experienced Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyer for Help Today
Contact us online or call Rosen & Ohr, P.A., now to speak to a Hollywood premises liability attorney if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property through no fault of your own. Our legal team will be ready to fight for the full and fair compensation you’re owed. Our consultations are free and confidential.