Property owners in South Florida are legally required to reduce the risk of injury to guests on their property. If you’ve been hurt while on someone else’s property, you may be able to sue the owner in a premises liability lawsuit. Through a lawsuit, you can recover your medical bills, lost work income, and other losses.
A personal injury lawyer in Fort Pierce from GOLDLAW can help injured victims find justice and closure for the harm done to them. We have a deep understanding of premises liability law in Florida and know how to hold negligent landowners accountable for their wrongdoing.
Call our offices or send us a message online to discuss your case with a Fort Pierce premises liability lawyer today.
Premises Liability in Fort Pierce Explained
Premises liability is a legal doctrine that property owners have a general legal duty to ensure their properties are safe for guests. If a landowner knows about some hazard that could hurt someone, they are required to address it in some way to reduce risk.
The appropriate action could involve removing the hazard, fixing the imperfection, or posting clearly visible warnings to guests. Owners and managers who fail in this duty to guard against risk may be legally and financially responsible for any injuries that befall guests.
For instance, imagine a grocery store employee mops the floor and doesn’t place a sign. Later, a customer loses their footing, falls, and breaks their wrist. The store owner could be liable for the guest’s injuries under theories of premises liability.
For a free legal consultation with a premises liability lawyer serving Fort Pierce, call 561-222-2222
Common Types of Premises Liability Accidents
A premises liability accident can happen virtually anywhere if a negligent property owner doesn’t fix dangerous hazards. Below are some common types of premises liability accidents in Southern Florida.
- Slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of premises liability accidents and can happen in grocery stores, schools, private homes, restaurants, public property, and more.
- Dog bites. Dog owners in Florida can be liable when their pets cause injury. Liability is automatic, provided the victim was on the premises lawfully and wasn’t breaking any laws.
- Falling objects. Guests can be injured by falling objects, such as store merchandise, construction equipment, and warehouse contents.
- Electrocutions. Property owners who neglect electrical inspections and repairs can be liable for electrical injuries to tenants and guests.
- Swimming pool injuries. Swimming pools are a common location where accidents can happen if property owners don’t post warnings about wet surfaces and shallow ends.
- Negligent security. Venues and businesses like clubs or sporting arenas have a duty to provide proper security and can be liable for injuries due to violent altercations.
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Proving Property Owner Negligence in Premises Liability Cases
Making a successful premises liability lawsuit requires proving three primary details.
The first is proving the property owner owed you a duty of care. Property owners have different duties depending on the type of visitor. Property owners have a greater responsibility to commercial guests like customers compared to non-commercial guests.
Second, you must prove that the property owner knew about the hazard, or should have known about it through reasonable diligence. Actual ignorance is not always a shield to liability.
Third, you need to prove that the hazard caused you harm and actual damages. Medical evidence and records of your expenses can be used to prove the scope and extent of your losses.
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How Does Shared Negligence Impact Premises Liability Lawsuits?
Shared negligence may be an issue in premises liability cases where the injured party displays some negligence. Florida’s comparative negligence laws allow injury victims to recover compensation, even if they are partially negligent.
Comparative negligence works by reducing any final settlement by the percentage of fault you share. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your total losses were $100,000, you would receive a total of $80,000 after accounting for shared negligence.
The structure of comparative negligence emphasizes the importance of working with a Fort Pierce premises liability lawyer to reduce judgments of shared fault.
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Time Limit for Premises Liability Lawsuits in Fort Pierce
Based on the text of Florida Statutes 95.11, victims have no more than two years to sue a property owner for injuries due to negligence. The statute of limitations commences from the injury date or the date you could’ve reasonably discovered your condition through due diligence. When more than two years have passed since the relevant date, your legal claim will run out.
The two-year time limit is very strict and admits of few exceptions. Missing the date by just a single day can render your claim null and void. If you try to file, you’ll get denied, regardless of how severe your injuries are.
GOLDLAW: Premises Liability Lawyers in Fort Pierce
Even a minor injury can put you in financial distress and impact your ability to earn a living. GOLDLAW dedicates itself to pursuing justice for injured parties and won’t rest until we have exhausted every path to a satisfactory outcome. With more than 25 years of serving our community, you can count on us to provide competent and effective legal counsel.
Get GOLDLAW and get the help you need and the compensation you deserve. Send us a message online or call today to speak to a premises liability lawyer in Fort Pierce.
