Handling Slip & Fall Cases & More
Premises liability cases include not only slip and fall cases, but any claim which is based on the negligence of a property and/or business owner to properly maintain their premises in a safe condition. These cases also include claims where individuals are hurt by the criminal actions of third persons when the property owner knew or should have known that such danger from third parties existed. Robert Heyman has trial experience in handling these types of cases. Whether a claim can be made depends upon the specific circumstances of your case and should be reviewed as soon as possible in order to preserve the evidence necessary to establish liability and the extent of your damages. With millions recovered for injured clients, Heyman Law Firm can be trusted to pursue the compensation you deserve after an accident on someone else's property.
Our St. Petersburg premises liability attorney is here for you. Contact us online or by phone today at (727) 822-3700 for a free consultation to discuss your case.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability laws exist to protect victims who have been injured on the property of another. Under Florida's laws, property owners, business operators, and managers who maintain buildings and properties have a legal obligation to keep their premises safe. When they breach this duty and someone is injured due to defective or unsafe conditions, they can be held responsible for injuries and damages.
Owners must warn their customers, visitors, guests, and others on their property about any known or hidden dangers; when they don't and someone is injured, they can be responsible for negligence. In Florida, there is no duty owed to trespassers, or individuals who were injured while illegally on the owner's property.
Who is Liable for Premises Liability?
An occupier of property will generally be held responsible for injuries occurring on the property, regardless of who the actual owner is. The typical occupier, when it's not the property owner, will be a residential or commercial tenant.
However, even someone who is occupying property without the owner's permission or knowledge can be held responsible under a premises liability fault theory if a judge or jury determines they were in control of the land at the time of the accident.
Common Types of Premises Liability Cases
There is a wide range of accidents that can occur on someone's property, though the most common type of premises liability case occurs after slip and fall accidents. Slip and falls occur when someone trips or slips and falls due to dangerous conditions like wet floors, defective stairs, damaged pavements, and more. Slip and fall accidents can result in serious injuries depending on how the person falls and often include broken bones, spinal cord and neck injuries, and head and brain injuries. Some slip and fall accidents can even result in death.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet surfaces like freshly waxed or mopped surfaces, or spills that haven't been cleaned up
- Uneven walking surfaces, including loose floorboards or carpeting, parking lot potholes, cluttered floors, and defective sidewalks
- Stray cords and electrical wires
- Weather conditions like ice, rain, or snow (property owners have a responsibility to shovel their sidewalks and salt walkways)
- Poor lighting
- Broken or damaged handrails
Other accidents that can be classified as premises liability cases include:
- Dog bites
- Fires
- Water leaks or flooding
- Snow and ice accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Toxic fumes or chemicals
- Inadequate building security leading to assault or injury
- Swimming pool accidents
Also Handling Slip & Fall Accidents
In his private practice, Robert Heyman has represented businesses, property owners, and injured persons in slip and fall cases, although he now concentrates his efforts exclusively upon injured persons. Because these cases often occur in a transient environment, it is crucial to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the circumstances of the fall, including the taking of witness statements and the preservation and documentation of all available evidence.
Should you be injured as a result of a fall, Robert Heyman is available for a consultation to discuss both the potential liability for your injuries and the steps which should be taken to preserve the evidence of your claim. Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars in damages for clients that include medical bills, lost wages and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more. When a property owner is responsible for your injuries, you shouldn't be the one to have to pay for medical treatment.
Call (727) 822-3700 to reach our caring and experienced St. Petersburg premises liability attorney. If you're unable to come to the office, we will come to you, whether you're at home or in the hospital.