Lakeland Premises Liability Attorney

Every state has statutes that address the legal duties of property owners and occupiers. People who own or are managing a property must take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of others who are on the premises. If you were hurt on someone else’s property, contact a premises liability attorney in Lakeland to find out if you have a case.

There are many scenarios that could warrant a premises liability claim. For instance, an employee at a grocery store mops the bathroom floor but fails to place “wet floor” signs while the floors are drying. In that case, the store could be liable if a customer slips and falls on the wet floor.

This, of course, is just one of countless scenarios that could warrant an injury claim. At the end of the day, if you were hurt due to the negligence of a property owner or occupier, you may be entitled to financial damages.

Premises liability accidents can lead to severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries (SCI), broken bones, and sometimes even death. At Capaz Law, our Lakeland premises liability attorneys can determine who is liable in these types of cases and hold them accountable for the damages they cause. Call us at 863-400-6151 to schedule your free case evaluation.

When to Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer in Lakeland

There are many circumstances when it would be wise to contact a lawyer for assistance with a premises liability case. Below are a few examples of hazards that could warrant such a claim:

• Slippery surfaces: A spill in a store or rainwater tracked into the mall entrance by patrons
• Construction defects: Exposed electrical wires or a hole in the concrete path designed for people to walk
• Poorly maintained stairways: Broken stairs or handrails, or carpet coming loose from the stair
• Inadequate lighting: Poorly lit hallways or stairways

Common examples of premises liability cases include:

• Slip and falls
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Accidents arising from faulty flooring, bad stair steps, loose handrails, and other instances of poor maintenance and lack of necessary and reasonable repairs
• Swimming pool accidents
• Negligent security incidents—for example, suppose a hotel had an increase in stolen vehicles from its parking lot but did nothing about it. They could be held liable because of their inaction.

Visitor Categories in Florida Premises Liability Cases

Florida property owners don’t owe every “visitor” the same duty of care. Under Florida’s premises liability law, they owe a duty of care as follows:

Trespassers: Trespassers are those who enter the property illegally or without the property owner’s consent. Property owners aren’t generally held responsible for the injuries sustained by an individual on their property unlawfully or without their express consent, though there are exceptions that your Lakeland premises liability attorney can explain.

Licensees: Licensees are people, including houseguests, who enter the property with the property owner’s consent. However, their presence on the property is for their own convenience or purposes. For example, suppose a homeowner knows about a hazardous condition in or around their home and doesn’t warn the visitor. In that case, the homeowner could be held liable for any injuries that result.

Invitees: Invitees are individuals, like customers in the mall or patrons in a restaurant, who have been invited onto the property to do business with the property owner or for their mutually shared interests. Businesses of all kinds have legal obligations to maintain a safe premises, protect their customers, and to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries from occurring.

Proving Negligence Against a Property Owner or Occupier

Depending on the circumstances, there are several parties who could be liable for an injury or death in a premises liability case. This could be the property owner, a tenant, a property manager, or another party.

To recover damages, victims must show that defendant breached the duty of care, that the breach of duty caused injury or loss, and that damages were incurred. In some cases, even if the property owner was not aware of a hazard, they may be held liable if it can be shown that a sufficient amount of time had passed such that the hazard should have been discovered through reasonable diligence.

Call a Lakeland Premises Liability Attorney Today

If you sustain an injury while on another party’s property, you could be entitled to compensation. It’s in your best interests to speak with an experienced Lakeland premises liability lawyer at Capaz Law Firm as soon as possible. Call our office today at 863-400-6151 or email us through our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.