Premise liability cases address instances where people are injured (while on another person’s property) because of the property owner’s negligence. The property can be residential or commercial, and properties subject to premise liability claims can include but are limited to:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Airports
- Residences
- Sidewalks (or other exterior grounds associated with a property)
People can be injured on someone else’s property in a variety of situations. Due to dangerous conditions and lack of safeguards on a property, people can sustain serious injuries. Typically, Florida premises liability cases arise from the following types of circumstances:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Being bitten by an animal
- Falling due to sidewalk, walkway, or step disrepair
- Negligence at a retail store or restaurant
- Swimming pool injuries
Generally speaking, if you are invited into another person's home, you have a personal relationship with that person. In other cases, you might be on someone else’s property to perform a service.
Based on recent studies, if the injured party has a relationship with the property owner, they are far less likely to pursue the damages they are owed in premise liability suits. Yet, that same reluctance does not exist with other types of cases, like car accidents.
People’s unwillingness to pursue damages for injuries in a premises liability claim is often rooted in a misunderstanding of how these cases function. Just as in car accidents, insurance claims can be made against the property owner, who is presumed to have insurance coverage on the property. Insurance requirements exist to protect both the property owner and their guests.
Damages Available in a Florida Premise Liability Lawsuit
If you have suffered because of an injury you sustained on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation. The damages you are entitled to recover will vary based on the specific facts of your case. Generally, you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages encompass all your expenses related to the injury. These expenses include:
- Fees associated with transportation to and from medical care
- The cost of the medical care, follow-up care, and/or physical therapy
- Bills for prescriptions, slings, walking boots, braces, crutches, and/or over-the-counter medication
- Any lost income or income opportunities and/or damage to personal property
Non-economic damages aim to compensate you for those damages that do not come with an exact price tag, such as the pain and suffering you’ve experienced. You can be compensated for the “loss of consortium” as well, which factors in any undue stress and/or strains placed on you and your familial relationships.
Speak to Our Florida-Based Premise Liability Lawyers Today
If you are suffering after being injured on someone else’s property, you should immediately reach out to our attorneys. There are time limits to proceed on a premise liability claim, specifically you have four years—from the time of the injury—to file a claim.
The Watson Firm, PLLC will work hard to maximize your compensation. We will take the time to review your case thoroughly, assemble the evidence to present your claim from a position of strength, and submit your claim to the insurance company.
Call us today so you can make an informed decision about the best course of action for you. To schedule your free initial consultation, reach out to The Watson Firm, PLLC at (850) 607-2929 or contact us online.