Palm Harbor Premises Liability Lawyer
Many property owners fail to maintain their premises in a safe condition, which can lead to very serious injuries. If you or a family member suffered harm while on someone else’s premises, you may want to talk to an experienced Palm Harbor premises liability lawyer as soon as possible to find out how to get justice.
The victim typically must demonstrate that the owners were negligent in maintaining their property. The question frequently boils down to how foreseeable the accident was. A skilled personal injury attorney could help you establish liability in your premises liability claim.
Hazards that Cause Injuries
Some of the typical physical hazards that can cause injury are:
- Uneven walkways
- Poorly lit hallways or other common areas
- Construction areas without barriers or danger signs
- Defective stairwells or banisters
- Inadequate locks that allow intruders to enter
- Faulty wiring and other fire hazards
- Failure to shovel snow or warn about wet floors
Residents of an apartment complex or another type of multi-unit dwelling should be able to expect a habitable, safe environment. If the landlords breached their duty to provide such an environment, a Palm Harbor premises liability lawyer could help the injured party recover damages.
Negligence in Palm Harbor
Courts will frequently consider why the injured person was on the defendant’s premises. There are several different classifications of persons in these kinds of cases, specifically invitees, social guests, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees and social guests generally deserve the highest standard of care, since in both cases the premises owners intentionally requested they enter the premises. For example, if the premises are part of a public accommodation where members of the public specifically welcome—such as a store or a restaurant—then the courts will hold the owners to a high standard of care.
Licensees are people with permission to be on the property, but who visit for their own purposes or amusement, rather than for business. Trespassers generally deserve almost no care, although even they have protection against deliberate injury. Palm Harbor uses a comparative negligence standard. This means that the total recovery the injured party may receive will be proportional to whatever amount the injured party was negligent.
Serious Injuries Possible in a Premises Liability Case
Failure to properly maintain premises can lead to horrible injuries such as brain damage, burns, broken or otherwise injured limbs, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The medical expenses related to a severe or long-term personal injury can be devastating. If the injured party was a major source of income for a family, the entire family could face economic troubles.
The possible damages include economic damages, non-economic, and punitive damages aimed at punishing the gross negligence of the defendant and sending a message to other landlords. In most personal injury cases in Palm Harbor, the injured person has four years from the date of the accident to file a claim. But putting together the evidence that will be necessary for a successful lawsuit must occur as soon after the accident as possible.
Contacting a Palm Harbor Premises Liability Attorney
An experienced, aggressive personal injury lawyer with a strong track record of holding landowners accountable when they fail to remedy the hazards on their property may be able to help. If you suffered an injury like this, you should talk to a Palm Harbor premises liability lawyer.
Call today for a free consultation.