When you visit a business or public place, you expect to be in a safe environment. However, sometimes negligence on the part of a business owner or property manager can lead to an accident that leaves you or a loved one injured. When this happens, a Fort Lauderdale premises liability lawyer should be consulted.
This type of personal injury is called premises liability, and it involves any injuries that occur in a public place or publicly accessible place, such as a park, mall, library, hotel or store. An injury can lead to medical bills, lost wages, and other financial hardships that you deserve to be compensated for. An attorney can help you seek restitution for the damages you’ve incurred because of this incident.
Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Attorney
Lisa S. Levine has helped hundreds of clients across from cities such as Weston, Ft. Lauderdale, Potomac, and Pembroke Pines seek just compensation for the injuries they’ve suffered. She knows how to proactively pursue your case, and she goes the extra mile for each client. As an experienced personal injury lawyer, she can help you get back on your feet and recover from the financial losses that have been caused by another’s negligence. Call her today at 954-256-1820 to schedule a free consultation session.
Injury Victim
Types of Visitors to Public or Private Property in Florida
There are important distinctions between the types of visitors that are at a location and what responsibilities the owner has toward them.
Invitee – Invitees are those that the property owner has invited onto the premises. The most common example of this is a customer at a business, store, or office. The proprietor has a responsibility to keep the environment safe and to warn invitees of any potential hazard on the premises.
Licensees – these guests are typically present for social reasons and have been invited through actual or implied invitation. For instance, a friend visiting a person’s home has been invited by their relationship. The owner of the premises must provide a safe environment, but it is not as carefully required and inspected by law.
Trespassers – a trespasser has no reason or invitation of any kind to be on the premises. These guests still have rights to certain protections, but at a far lower level than invited guests. A proprietor is understandably under no obligation to warn trespassers of hazards, but they may not recklessly place objects that might endanger a trespasser.
The exception to this rule is Florida’s attractive nuisance doctrine. Under this rule, a Ft. Lauderdale proprietor is required to take precautions to keep children from potential danger. The proprietor may be liable for injuries if the following are true:
- the burden of eliminating a potential risk to a child is slight compared to potential harm
- the child, because of his or her age, does not understand the risk involved
- the dangerous condition is what enticed the child onto the property
- the owner fails to take reasonable care to remove the danger
- the owner has reason to know that the risk exists where children are likely to trespass
- the condition is known to be a reasonable risk of death or serious injury to trespassing children
In summary, a Weston proprietor must take special precautions to ensure that any dangerous area does not entice children and is kept from posing a risk to any children who trespass. If an owner knew of a potential risk and failed to act on it, they can be held liable for injuries that occur, even if the injured child was trespassing.
Common Examples of Premises Liability Injuries
Many different types of injuries can occur on another’s property, leading to injuries ranging from broken bones to sprained muscles. Some of the more common scenarios include:
Slip and fall – a wet patch on a hard floor is a common occurrence, and it can easily lead to a person slipping and injuring themselves.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – when carbon monoxide levels are not properly monitored, poisoning and serious illness can occur
Negligent security – the negligence of security staff can contribute to customers being hurt while crimes are being committed, such as a mugging in a parking garage
Dog bites – when the owner of a dog does not properly secure their pet and it attacks you on their property, they can be held liable for your injuries
Any of these types of injuries can leave you with medical costs and other expenses. A lawyer can help you seek out just compensation for damages that resulted from any of these scenarios.
Personal Injury Claims: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim Within a Certain Period of Time?
Each state has its own rules regarding the time period in which personal injury lawsuits must be filed, called the “statute of limitations”. A claim must be filed within two years if you are injured in Florida.
Is it Necessary to Notify My Insurance Company After an Accident?
Your insurance company should be notified of your accident. The majority of insurance companies require policyholders to notify them of car accidents. If you fail to notify them, some may drop your coverage.
You’re responsible for cooperating with your insurance company, but that doesn’t mean you should give them more information than they need. Avoid giving your opinion about who is to blame for the accident. Until you have an attorney present, only tell them the facts of the case as experienced by you.
How Much Does it Cost to Bring a Personal Injury Claim?
The cost of a case can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the case. We at Lisa Levine PA work on a contingency basis, so you don’t have to pay unless we win.
Broward County Property Accident Lawyer
If you have sustained an injury on someone else’s property, the owner may be at fault and liable for your medical bills and other damages. To speak to an experienced attorney about the specific circumstances of your injury, call Lisa Levine at 954-256-1820 today. She can review your case, inform you of your options, and may be able to help you seek compensation for the negligence of the property’s owner. Lisa Levine proudly serves as a personal injury lawyer for those injured in cities including Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Sunrise, Pembroke Pines, and throughout Florida.
