Property owners are required to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. Failure to do so often results in serious bodily injury. A hazard or danger on a particular piece of property can result in trips, falls, slips, and other accidents. Whether you are injured while shopping, visiting another, or simply socializing at a business establishment or elsewhere, the dedicated Manatee County slip and fall lawyers at Becker & Lindauer can help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Slip and Fall Lawyers | Here for Those Injured Due to Dangerous Property Conditions
Sustaining a slip and fall or another type of injury due to dangerous property conditions can be an entirely unexpected, albeit devastating experience. That said, with the right legal guidance, obtaining compensation may be possible. The Bradenton personal injury lawyers here at Becker & Lindauer, LLC have fought on behalf of accident victims here in Florida for decades, and we are prepared to fight for you as well. Reach out to our team today so we can get started working on your case.
Premises Liability Cases We Handle
Becker & Lindauer, LLC proudly handles a wide range of property-related injuries on behalf of our clients in Manatee County. Just some of the premises liability cases we handle are as follows:
- Sidewalk Accidents: Sidewalk accidents often occur when sidewalk owners fail to adequately maintain them. Hazards like protruding tree roots, potholes, and more can all lead to serious slip or trip and fall accidents. If you’ve been injured in a sidewalk accident due to no fault of your own, you can have confidence in your decision to turn to the seasoned Manatee County slip and fall lawyers here at Becker & Lindauer, LLC for help.
- Parking Lot Accidents: Parking lot accidents can occur for a multitude of reasons, including negligent drivers and dangerous parking lot conditions. If you were injured in a parking lot, you may be entitled to compensation. We would be proud to represent you in pursuit of the compensation you need.
- Supermarket Accidents: Nobody expects to sustain a serious injury when doing something as mundane as grocery shopping, but the unfortunate reality is that supermarket slip or trip and falls are not uncommon. If you’ve sustained an injury in a supermarket due to dangerous store conditions, we stand ready to fight for you.
- Stairway Accidents: Stairways are, unfortunately, among the most common areas where unsuspecting pedestrians will slip or trip and fall. Often, these accidents are caused by a failure to sufficiently maintain the stairway. If you’re a stairway accident victim, the Manatee County slip and fall lawyers here at Becker & Lindauer, LLC stand ready to fight for you.
Elements Required to Prove a Premises Liability Claim in Florida
Importantly, simply proving you were injured on someone else’s property isn’t enough to win compensation in a premises liability claim. To establish a successful premises liability claim in Florida, four key elements must be proven. These are as follows:
- Duty of Care: The property owner or occupier must have owed a duty of care to the injured party. In Florida, the extent of this duty varies depending on whether the injured person is a business invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
- Breach of Duty: It must be shown that the property owner or occupier breached their duty of care. This breach occurs when they fail to maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition or fail to warn of dangerous conditions they knew or should have known about.
- Causation: There must be a direct link between the breach of duty and the injury sustained. The accident must have been a foreseeable result of the property owner’s negligence.
- Damages: Finally, the injured party must have suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, as a result of the accident.
Evidence Useful in Proving Premises Liability Claims
Effective evidence is crucial in proving a premises liability claim. Some of the most compelling pieces of evidence include:
- Photographs and Videos: Images or videos capturing the hazardous condition that caused the injury.
- Accident Reports: Reports made at the time of the incident, especially in commercial settings like supermarkets or parking lots.
- Witness Statements: Accounts from people who witnessed the accident or are familiar with the ongoing dangerous condition.
- Medical Records: Documentation of injuries, treatment received, and prognosis, which tie the injuries directly to the accident.
- Expert Testimony: Specialists in fields like property safety standards or medical professionals who can attest to the nature and extent of the injuries.
- Maintenance Records: Evidence showing whether the property owner performed regular maintenance or knew of the hazard.
Recovering Compensation
If you have a valid premises liability claim, you may be entitled to damages for the following, among other things:
- Medical Bills and Rehabilitation Costs
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity
Statute of Limitations for Premises Liability Claims in Florida
In Florida, the statute of limitations for premises liability claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. This legal timeframe is crucial because if you fail to file a lawsuit within this period, you may be forever barred from seeking compensation for your injuries. However, there are exceptions that may shorten or extend this period, such as in cases involving minors or when the injury wasn’t immediately discovered. For this reason, it’s always best to reach out to a team of seasoned Manatee County slip and fall lawyers as soon after your accident as possible.
Contact Our Florida Slip and Fall Lawyers Today
Don’t run the risk of filing a premises liability claim on your own. The insurance company is not your friend, even though it may pretend to be. They will lowball your settlement and use a variety of other tactics to deny you of your rightful compensation, which is why you need a team of dedicated Manatee County slip and fall lawyers who know how to effectively combat those tactics at every turn. Contact Becker & Lindauer, LLC today for your free initial consultation. We are here to fight for you, every step of the way.
