Owners have an obligation of care toward the people who lawfully visit their home, property or business. This includes protecting their visitors from harm by maintaining a safe environment. When they are negligent in this care, say for failing to mop up a wet floor and a visitor becomes injured, Florida’s premise liability laws give that visitor the right to seek compensation for the losses stemming from those injuries.
Depending on the circumstances that caused the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for past and present medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages from the owners or managers of the property.
Property Hazards That Can Cause Injuries
In addition to wet, slippery floors, other examples of property hazards with the potential to cause serious injury include:
- Uneven walkways
- Trip and fall hazards
- Vicious animals
- Poorly lit hallways and stairways
- Broken railings and steps
- Assault
Injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, bone fractures, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, disfigurement, amputation, animal bite injuries, and even knife and gunshot wounds can result from these types of accidents. They can often require long-term medical care that may prevent the victim from ever being able to go back to work again.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property
If you were injured in an accident on someone else’s property, it’s important to take steps to protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Before speaking to the owner or manager of the place where you were hurt, or speaking with their insurance company, talk to an experienced Florida premises liability attorney.
Florida’s premises liability laws protect “invitees” — basically anyone who is legally visiting a property, including guests, visitors, customers, employees, and contractors. Trespassers are generally not protected by these laws.
In order to prevail in a premises liability claim, you’ll need to show a few things:
- You were on the premises legally;
- The owners or managers were negligent in maintaining a safe environment;
- Their negligence resulted in your injuries; and
- You suffered damages as a result of these injuries.
How a Premises Liability Attorney Can Help
An attorney can help you in every step of the personal injury claims process, including:
- Collecting the needed evidence to support your claim.
- Filing the necessary paperwork.
- Assigning a monetary value to your damages.
- Negotiating with an insurance company.
- Representing you in court.
Contact Winter Haven Premises Liability Attorney Tania Rivas If You Were Injured on Someone Else’s Property
If you’ve been injured in a premises liability accident in Central Florida, don’t try to go it alone. Winter Haven premises liability Tania Rivas and Rivas Law Group are here to help. Tania has successfully represented clients in Winter Haven, Lakeland, Lutz and other Central Florida communities who have been injured in premises liability and other accidents.
Don’t wait too long to seek legal representation. Florida has strict statute of limitations laws that limit the amount of time in which you have to file your claim. If you wait too long, the courts may refuse to hear your case!
Contact Rivas Law Group at (877) 299-5539 to schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation with Winter Haven premises liability attorney Tania Rivas. Tania handles most premises liability cases on a contingency basis, which means there are no up-front costs for her clients and she only collects her fee after she’s won your case.
