If you suffer injuries while legally present on property belonging to others, you could have a compensation claim related to your injuries. Our Clearwater premises liability lawyer can examine your situation and assess whether you have a valid case. We can work with you to pursue compensation for your accident-related losses from those whose carelessness caused your injuries.
Property owners have a legal duty to keep their property safe for others. When they fail to do so, you can hold them accountable for their actions through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Look to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine to get the legal advice and information that you want after you or a loved one is injured in an accident.
Deadlines for Filing Premises Liability Lawsuits
All states have deadlines for filing lawsuits, including premises liability lawsuits. Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), there is a four-year statute of limitations for filing premises liability lawsuits. As a result, you must file your premises liability lawsuit within four years of the date of the accident that led to your injuries.
If you fail to file your case on time, you generally will be unable to pursue compensation for your injuries. Getting legal assistance as quickly as possible following your accident can help ensure that you do not miss these or any other crucial deadlines for your case. Call us for legal help today.
Premises Liability Claims Under Florida Law
Premises liability is a broad area of the law covering different situations that might lead to someone being injured. The common factor in each situation is the fact that the injuries occur on property belonging to someone else, whether the property is residential, private, or public.
Depending on the circumstances, the property owner or manager can face liability or financial responsibility if a dangerous condition on the property leads to injuries.
When these accidents occur, the injured party may be able to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit under the legal theory of premises liability. Common types of situations that might lead to a premises liability case include:
- Slipping and falling on a spill on the floor of a grocery store
- Getting bitten by a dog who chases and attacks you
- Stepping into a hole in the yard while visiting your neighbor
- Falling into a neighboring pool that did not have a secure perimeter
- Being assaulted while walking to your car in a hotel parking garage
Any of these situations could lead to liability for the party in charge of maintaining the premises.
By enlisting the help of our Clearwater premises liability lawyer, you can determine whether you have a valid case and identify all potentially liable parties.
Premises Liability And The Duty of Care
Under state law, property owners and others who have control over property have a duty of care to reasonably maintain their property for the safety of others.
Generally, the property owner must inspect the property periodically for dangerous conditions and fix any conditions that might harm others. At the very least, the property owners must warn others of the dangerous conditions on their property.
When property owners fail to meet their required duty of care and someone gets hurt, the injured victim could hold the property owners liable for the costs of their injuries. The nature of this duty of care, however, does differ according to the injured victim’s status.
Business Invitees
Property owners owe the highest level of care to business invitees in that they must reasonably inspect their property for hazards and either remedy the issue or warn others that it exists. These hazards include not only the ones of which the owners have knowledge but also those of which they reasonably should be aware.
Business invitees are on a property for the purposes of conducting some business. They have specific permission or legal authorization to be on the property. Examples of business invitees include shoppers at grocery stores and workers who are invited to a home to perform repairs or other services.
Licensees
Property owners still owe a duty of care to licensees, but that duty is not high as that owed to business invitees. Still, they must take necessary precautions to keep licensees safe. Licensees, like invitees, have permission to be present on the property, but they do not enter the property for business purposes. These individuals include social guests.
Trespassers
Property owners owe the lowest duty of care to trespassers—those on their land without permission. Their only responsibility is to avoid intentionally harming the trespassers. Otherwise, they are not liable if a trespasser suffers injuries while on their land.
A Premises Liability Lawyer From Our Team Can Help
When you suffer injuries in an accident on a property that belongs to another, you may have a premises liability case against the property owner or anyone with control over the property.
Proving the elements necessary to show negligence in a premises liability case can be challenging. You can work with a Clearwater premises liability lawyer from our law firm to:
- Evaluate your situation
- Determine whether you have a case; and
- Identify all potentially liable parties
Severe injuries can have a significant effect on your everyday life, both personally and professionally. You may incur substantial medical bills, be unable to work, and experience daily pain, perhaps permanently.
When you are in this situation, the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine may be able to assist you. Call us at 1-800-747-3733 and get more information about how we can help during a free consultation.
We Can Help.
