If you suffered injuries on someone else’s property through no fault of your own, do not hesitate to contact the St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers. We might be able to represent you in a premises liability claim against the property owner or another party. You could recover compensation for your medical treatment and other incurred costs.
A property owner has a responsibility to maintain their property adequately. They must ensure they meet all safety and building codes, perform regular inspections, and repair or remove defects on the property. If property owners fail to keep visitors safe and prevent accidents, they could be liable for accident-related injuries and losses.
Premises liability cases can be challenging to prove. Homeowners and business owners typically don’t want to admit they are at fault for the dangerous conditions on their properties. Additionally, liability and homeowners’ insurance carriers don’t want to accept liability for their policyholder’s negligent actions.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers knows state laws and how to handle a premises liability case effectively. We have represented clients against property owners and insurance companies since 2007. You don’t have to assume the burden of gathering evidence, filing a claim, or communicating with the at-fault party’s insurance adjuster. We are ready to take on the responsibility, so you don’t face any of the burdens that go with pursuing compensation.
For a free consultation with one of our dedicated and experienced premises liability attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL, call us today at (727) 605-1100.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases
A range of scenarios can arise that cause a person’s injury or death on someone else’s property. Whether you visit a friend’s house or dine out at a restaurant, you could encounter dangerous conditions that increase the risk of an accident.
The most common types of premises liability cases Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers take on include:
- Swimming pool accidents – Accidents at public or private swimming pools can result from various hazards, such as a broken railing, unchlorinated pool, or inexperienced lifeguards.
- Dog bites – Dogs typically attack when they feel threatened or provoked. However, they can also bite a person for no good reason. Florida’s strict liability statute dictates that the dog’s owner is liable for the injury if the victim is lawfully on or in private property or on or in a public place at the time of the attack.
- Escalator and elevator accidents – An elevator or escalator could malfunction if the owner doesn’t maintain them properly. Any occupant could sustain an injury due to a defect or damage.
- Parking lot accidents – Accidents in parking lots don’t only involve car crashes. A pedestrian could trip on a pothole or step on broken glass.
- Collapsing porch or balcony – Balconies must be stable and contain railings or structures that prevent people from falling off the edge. Structural damage or a missing railing could lead to fatal falls.
- Slip/trip and falls – Various hazards, such as a wet floor or defective staircase, could cause a guest to slip or trip and get hurt. Property owners must remove hazards promptly or place warning signs to inform visitors of the dangers.
- Construction accidents – Construction sites are common on commercial and residential properties. It’s the owner’s responsibility to ensure the area is secure so no one who isn’t working on the site can enter and materials or debris don’t obstruct walkways or entrances to the building.
- Flooding – A leaking roof or pipe could cause flooding. Standing water can lead to severe structural damage and mold issues. Anyone could slip on the wet surface or suffer a medical condition from inhaling toxic mold.
- Fires – Adequate fire protection equipment and emergency exits are vital at stores, restaurants, and other businesses. If there’s a fire, guests could suffer burn injuries if they don’t have anything to protect them from the flames and smoke or a way to escape.
You should reach out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers immediately if you suffered injuries in any type of premises liability accident. Our St. Petersburg premises liability attorneys can review the circumstances of your accident and determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injury.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Accidents
Business owners and homeowners must always create safe conditions for their guests. They could be liable for any accident due to the dangers they knew about but didn’t address.
However, property owners aren’t the only people who could be at fault for premises liability accidents. A movie theater employee, landlord of an apartment complex, or homeowner’s child could create dangerous conditions.
The most common causes of accidents on private and public premises include:
- Wet floors – A slippery or wet floor from a leaking pipe, spilled beverage, or recently mopped floor can cause a slip and fall. Various injuries can result from this type of accident that requires medical treatment to heal.
- Potholes – Potholes often form in high-traffic areas or from adverse weather and normal wear and tear. Someone could trip on a pothole while walking through a parking lot and sprain their ankle or fall and suffer another type of injury.
- Inexperienced security guards – Security personnel are supposed to protect people during emergencies or dangerous situations. Inexperience prevents security guards from knowing how to keep guests safe when problems arise.
- Loose rugs and mats – Rugs and mats should not move around when someone walks on them. They should contain slip-resistant material.
- Inadequate lighting – Lights are necessary for certain areas of properties, such as stairwells and places that don’t get natural sunlight. Poor lighting could cause someone to trip on a hazard.
- Uneven sidewalk – Maintaining the exterior of a property is just as important as the interior. Cracks can form on a sidewalk, causing an uneven or unstable place for people to walk.
- Damaged or missing handrails – Railings offer support while people walk down the stairs, stand on a balcony, or navigate a poorly lit area. People may be unable to keep themselves from falling if they must use a loose or damaged handrail.
- Defective steps – Stairs should not be too narrow, steep, or contain defects. Defective steps could cause someone to lose their footing and fall.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we understand the challenges you face while pursuing a claim or legal action and simultaneously recovering from an injury. It can seem overwhelming when you must deal with the burden of handling an insurance claim or lawsuit. Our premises liability attorneys in St. Petersburg, FL, can take over and complete every step of your claim or lawsuit on your behalf so you can focus on healing.
Common Injuries in Premises Liability
Any type of injury could entitle you to compensation. Someone else must be at fault for the accident, such as a business owner or an employee. Even if the injury is minor, you might be able to recover a financial award for your medical bills.
The most common injuries in premises liability cases include:
- Tissue and nerve damage
- Smoke inhalation
- Dislocated joints
- Broken or sprained ankles
- Electrical shock
- Torn ligaments or tendons
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burn injuries
Guests could also suffer psychological trauma from the incident. Some situations are scary and lead to phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depression and anxiety are also common when someone sustains a permanent or disfiguring injury.
Compensation for Injuries in Premises Liability Accidents
You should receive a monetary award for your injury if someone else is responsible for causing the accident. Whether you file a claim with the property owner’s liability insurance carrier or sue them directly, the compensation you receive might cover your accident-related losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Damage to personal property
Many people worry about the implications of seeking legal action following an accident at a family member’s or friend’s house. You might think it will ruin the relationship or cause financial strain. However, you’re not seeking money directly from the homeowner in a premises liability case. Instead, you can file a claim with their homeowner’s insurance carrier for a settlement.
If you file a lawsuit, you might also recover punitive damages. You must show clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s intentional misconduct or gross negligence to receive this type of compensation.
Statute of Limitations in a Lawsuit
In Florida, the statute of limitations allows an injured party to file their lawsuit within a four-year timeframe. That means you have four years from the date of the incident to sue the at-fault party.
Once the timeframe passes, you could lose your right to pursue compensation through the legal system. The court will likely dismiss your case even if you try to file suit.
Contact Us
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has the resources and experience to take on the most complex premises liability cases in St. Petersburg. We will customize a plan to meet the unique needs of your case and try to resolve it favorably. Our team isn’t afraid to be aggressive in settlement negotiations and fight for our clients in court. You can rest assured that we will go to battle for you against the negligent property owner.
Our St. Petersburg premises liability attorneys understand the economic impact of getting hurt in an accident. Medical bills are an expense many people can’t afford. We don’t want you to worry about additional costs while representing you. We take cases on contingency, so you don’t have to pay upfront fees or costs. We won’t expect you to pay our legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you suffered an injury in an accident due to a property owner’s actions or inaction, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (727) 605-1100 for your free consultation or reach out to us online.
