If unsafe or deficient property conditions caused you harm, you might be entitled to compensation. A Punta Gorda premises liability lawyer with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you seek financial awards. Our team is here to help you get back on your feet. Call us today at 1-800-747-3733.
There are Many Types of Premises Liability Accidents
Premises liability is a branch of personal injury law that deals with injuries occurring on another person’s property because of the property owner’s negligence. Property owners have a duty to maintain their premises according to local, state, and nationwide ordinances and regulations. If they fail to do so, and this causes harm to someone legally on their property, they may be financially responsible.
Examples of premises liability cases include:
- Slip and falls – Potholes, torn or ripped carpeting, slippery, wet, or icy surfaces, and cracked sidewalks can all lead to slip and fall accidents. Injuries resulting from a slip and fall may include broken bones, sprains, strains, contusions, and neck, spine, and head injuries. Falls can be especially serious for older adults, resulting in more than 3 million emergency department visits and over 800,000 hospitalizations each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Assaults – A physical or sexual assault can happen anywhere, including at a bar, hotel, nightclub, restaurant, apartment building, or housing complex. A landlord or property owner may be liable for assault-related injuries that occur on their property because of negligent security measures.
- Dog bites – In Florida, if you are bitten by a dog, the animal’s owner is strictly liable. Often, dog bite injury claims can be resolved through the dog owner’s homeowners or renters insurance. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), more than 1,200 liability claims for dog-related injuries were filed in Florida in 2019, second only to California.
- Fires, floods, and hazardous substances – Property owners must take precautions to protect renters and patrons in the event of a fire. This may include installing fire detectors, creating an emergency evacuation plan, and ensuring exits are clearly marked. Property owners may be liable for damages caused by leaks or flooding, as well as illnesses and injuries related to exposure to toxic fumes, chemicals, or other harmful substances.
Of course, premises liability cases are not limited to the types of incidents mentioned above. If you were hurt on another person’s property, reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733. You can discuss your case with a member of our team and find out more about working with a Punta Gorda premises liability lawyer.
Pursuing Financial Awards
Medical treatment is often expensive, and the more serious your injuries, the higher your bills are likely to be. Even with health insurance, you may face thousands of dollars in health care costs. This is only one piece of the overall financial hardships an accident can create.
For example, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a slip and fall may require weeks or months of recovery and time lost at work. All the while, household bills, and expenses continue to add up. To fully heal from a TBI, you may need rehabilitation, physical therapy, or vocational training to learn or re-learn job-related skills. Some TBIs result in permanent physical and cognitive disabilities that can impact your future earning capacity for the rest of your life. Side effects from a TBI can lead to insomnia, depression, difficulty sleeping, and other conditions that can reduce the injured person’s quality of life.
If you or a loved one were injured on another party’s premises, you could win awards for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Damaged property
- Physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish
- Wrongful death
One way you may obtain compensation for your injuries is through an insurance claim. Business, home, and property owners often carry some form of liability insurance to protect them from lawsuits over accidents that happen on their premises. You can try to file an insurance claim alone, but working with a lawyer may help you achieve a better outcome.
Insurance companies want to keep payouts low in order to increase their profits. Insurers may attempt to deny or underpay your claims. An attorney can help you begin the claims process, collect and submit evidence, collect and file documents, and represent you in negotiations. Your lawyer will review any settlement the insurance company offers to ensure it is fair and adequate. If your attorney cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, they can help you take your case to civil court.
Do not wait too long to begin the process of seeking compensation. It is best to file an insurance claim as soon as possible following your accident. The claims process can take time, and if you are unable to settle, you must file your case in court before the statute of limitations expires. Florida Statutes § 95.11 allows four years from the time of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit and two years to file a suit for wrongful death.
Responsive Legal Care
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we go the extra mile for each and every one of our clients. We understand how stressful it is to juggle your physical recovery with worries over medical bills and other expenses. We want to help you get the money you need without putting an additional burden on you and your family.
A Punta Gorda premises liability lawyer can deal with insurance companies or help you with a lawsuit. Our attorneys will answer your questions and update you at every step of your case. You deserve justice, and you do not have to fight for it alone. To find out more about how the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help, call our team at 1-800-747-3733 for a no-risk, no-cost consultation.
We Can Help.
