People sustain injuries on public or privately owned property all the time. Sometimes, nobody is liable for the accident. However, when a property owner is negligent, and someone suffers injuries because of a hazardous condition, a court could hold them responsible for resulting damages.
If you were harmed in an avoidable accident on someone else’s property, contact a skilled Palm Bay premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced personal injury attorneys at our firm will fight on your behalf to get the maximum compensation available to you.
A claimant in a premises liability claim may fall under one of three categories of visitors. An experienced lawyer specializing in premises liability lawsuits in Palm Bay will help determine which category a person falls under after a property accident.
Property owners owe business invitees the highest level of protection. Those who may enter the property with explicit permission to conduct a business transaction for the landowner’s benefits are considered business invitees.
Licensees may enter a property with implied permission for their own benefit. An example of a licensee is an independent contractor who enters a premises to perform maintenance, repairs, or inspection.
A trespasser is someone who enters a premises without an expressed or implied invitation. The property owner or manager does not owe a trespasser a duty of care to keep them safe while on the premises. However, the property owner cannot purposely create a hazard that will cause bodily harm to trespassers.
There is an exception to this rule for children. If something on the property is likely to attract children, such as a swimming pool, dog, or unsecured construction equipment, the owner must secure the property to prevent children from curiously wandering into a dangerous situation on the premises. If a child enters a property because it was not secure and sustains injuries, a court could hold the landowner responsible for the damages.
Insurance adjusters representing property owners may use anything the injured person says to minimize their own liability and potential payouts. It is never a good idea to deal directly with the insurance company after suffering an injury on another person’s property, or to accept a settlement offer without first speaking to a legal professional.
A Palm Bay premises liability attorney can handle communications and negotiations on behalf of an injured claimant. Our firm represented large insurance companies and corporations for many years, and our lawyers use this extensive knowledge and experience for the benefit of clients today.
While state law holds property owners responsible for damages that occur because of their negligence, they also protect them from lawsuits in other situations. According to Florida Statutes §768.0705, when a property owner takes all the appropriate steps to implement necessary safety and security measures, they are protected from liability in most cases.
If an outside party causes injury or harm and has no affiliation with the business, the court will not hold the property owner accountable for damages. However, if it is found that the property owner did not implement reasonable security measures despite having foresight of potential crime, they can be held liable for third-party criminal activity on their premises.
After suffering injuries on another person’s property, your ability to collect compensation will depend on your ability to prove to the court that the landowner or manager was negligent and therefore responsible for the hazardous condition. A seasoned Palm Bay premises liability lawyer will fight for the fair and just compensation you need and deserve.
If you are concerned about how to pay for legal representation, our law firm does not charge any upfront fees, and you will not pay for our services until we win you compensation for your damages. Contact a hard-working and experienced legal professional at our firm today to go over the details of your case.
