Have you been injured on someone else’s property in Mary Esther, Florida? If the property owner was negligent, they may owe you compensation. Call Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers at (850) 809-0170 today for a free consultation with an experienced Mary Esther premises liability lawyer.
Our attorneys are backed by over 75 years of experience in personal injury law. Since we opened our doors, we’ve recovered over $200 million for injury victims. It’s not too early to learn about your legal rights. Call our law offices today to arrange a time to talk about your options.
Why Should I Call Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for Legal Help After a Premises Liability Accident in Mary Esther?
At Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers, we understand how challenging a premises liability claim in Mary Esther, FL, can be. Property owners and their insurance companies often work hard to avoid responsibility by blaming the victim or arguing that a dangerous condition was “open and obvious.”
You deserve to work with an experienced Mary Esther personal injury lawyer who can tell your side of the story and help you get justice. When you hire our firm, you benefit from:
- We have more than seven decades of combined experience and a track record of recovering hundreds of millions for injured clients.
- Our team has earned over 530 five-star Google reviews for our success.
- When you hire us, you benefit from a team that’s respected throughout the legal community–and known by the insurance companies for our winning track record.
Contact our Mary Esther personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We have the tools to help you get the compensation you deserve.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a type of personal injury law. Florida property owners owe a legal duty to those whom they allow onto their premises. They can be held legally responsible for injuries caused by dangerous property conditions.
Not every injury creates a valid premises liability claim. Property owners are only responsible when they fail to satisfy their legal obligations–meaning they’re responsible when they are negligent.
The level of care the property owner must exercise depends on why you were visiting the premises.
Business Invitee
Business invitees are visiting for a business purpose. Business owners owe invitees the highest level of care–because they’re visiting to provide some type of financial incentive to the owner.
You can be classified as an invitee in a variety of scenarios, including while visiting:
- Grocery stores
- Restaurants
- Entertainment venues
- Amusement parks
- Office buildings
- Government buildings
- Parking garages
- Hotels
- Cruise ships
Property owners and their managers have a duty to correct dangerous conditions and inspect the premises to locate new or hidden risks. When they can’t fix a problem immediately, they’re obligated to give you adequate warning about the risk.
Licensees
Licensees are invited onto someone’s property for non-business reasons. For example, you’re classified as a licensee when you’re a social guest.
Property owners owe licensees a duty of care, but they don’t have to inspect the property to identify hazards. They’re generally only responsible for dangerous conditions that they know about.
Trespassers
Property owners in Florida have very limited duties when it comes to trespassers. They can’t set up traps to intentionally harm trespassers.
However, under the attractive nuisance doctrine, property owners can be responsible for child trespassers who are injured because of something dangerous, like a swimming pool.
What Types of Incidents Give Rise to a Valid Premises Liability Claim in Mary Esther?
Some common hazards that can give rise to a valid premises liability case include:
- Wet or waxed floors
- Spills in aisles or walkways
- Uneven pavement
- Potholes
- Missing carpets or mats in entryways
- Loose floorboards
- Inadequate lighting
- Missing or broken handrails or guardrails
- Poorly lit staircases
- Unsecured merchandise stored at heights
- Ice or rainwater tracked indoors
- Negligent security
- Failure to secure animals to prevent dog bites and attacks
- Poisonings
- Bed bugs
Failure to warn about dangerous property conditions can result in serious injuries. Still, property owners aren’t automatically liable for injuries on their premises. If you were harmed, our attorneys are here to help you prove the owner was responsible.
Our Premises Liability Attorneys in Mary Esther Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Our attorneys represent clients with all types of injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Knee and leg injuries
- Concussions
- Hip injuries and breaks
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Eye and facial injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death in fatal accident cases
We know that any injury can have a significant impact on your life. We have the skills and experience to show the negligent property owner that you deserve compensation. Contact us today to learn more about how a Mary Esther premises liability attorney can fight for you.
What Must I Prove To Win a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Florida?
The basic elements of a premises liability claim are:
- You were legally on the premises and owed a duty of care
- Something dangerous or harmful existed on the property
- The owner knew, or reasonably should have known, about the hazard
- They didn’t warn you about the risk of harm
- You were harmed and suffered damages because of the danger
In Florida, premises liability cases often hinge on proving that the danger existed for long enough that the owner should have known about it.
Our attorneys will conduct an in-depth investigation to collect the evidence you’ll need to establish these elements.
What Is My Mary Esther Premises Liability Case Worth?
Issues that our attorneys examine as we’re building your case include:
- The nature and permanence of your injuries
- Current financial costs
- Expected future financial costs, including for ongoing treatment and care
- Whether you’ve lost income due to a reduced ability to work
- Whether your ability to work has been impacted on a permanent or long-term basis
- Changes in your day-to-day life
- Whether shared fault is a legitimate issue
Some losses are easier to translate into dollars and cents than others. When needed, our lawyers consult experts in medicine, finance, vocational rehabilitation, and other relevant specialties.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Injury Victims Under Florida Premises Liability Laws?
Florida law allows premises liability victims to seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Your compensation award should make you whole again, financially speaking, and cover economic damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Skilled nursing care
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for intangible impacts, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain
Don’t assume that the property owner will protect your interests. They may seem apologetic in the beginning–yet their insurance company may downplay or ignore your suffering when it’s time to pay the bills.
Our attorneys can help you identify and prove your losses. We have years of experience standing up to insurance companies. You can count on our team to protect your interests.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Lawyer To Handle a Premises Liability Claim in Mary Esther?
You don’t have to pay an hourly rate or an initial fee to hire an attorney. Like most law firms, we operate on a contingency fee basis. Our lawyers get paid a percentage of your compensation award.
How Can Florida’s Shared Fault Laws Impact the Value of My Mary Esther Premises Liability Claim?
Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence law. With this system, you can recover partial compensation if you were not more than 50% responsible. Once your share of blame exceeds 50%, you’re unable to receive compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Premises Liability Accident in Florida?
The Florida statute of limitations provides that you lose your right to seek compensation if you don’t file a lawsuit within two years of an injury. Exceptions to the deadline are unusual.
While it seems like the two-year deadline is far in the future, consulting an attorney quickly is always best. Evidence can disappear–and witnesses may no longer be available to corroborate your story as time passes.
What Should I Do if I Was Injured on Someone Else’s Premises in Mary Esther?
After an injury on someone else’s premises, you can take several steps to protect yourself:
- Immediately seek medical attention
- Keep all receipts and documentation
- Report the injury immediately to the property owner or manager
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene if possible
- Request a copy of any accident reports
- Ask the business owner to preserve video footage
- Avoid making a recorded statement or signing insurance documents
Consulting an attorney early on greatly increases your chances of holding a negligent property owner accountable. Like most law firms, we offer free consultations. Don’t hesitate to reach out for yours today.
Contact a Mary Esther Premises Liability Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt because a property owner failed to keep their premises safe in Mary Esther, FL, you may have the right to recover compensation. Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers is here to answer your questions, explain your legal options, and handle every step of your claim.
For more information, contact Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Mary Esther premises liability lawyer.