Premises Liability Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

A slip and fall can happen anywhere. If you’ve been hurt on someone else’s property, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer can help you seek damages.

Premises liability cases can be more complex than they initially appear. Property owners, businesses, and insurance companies often try to minimize or deny claims, and proving liability can be difficult. 

Since 2013, Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $250 million for our clients. If you’ve been injured due to a property owner’s negligence, a premises liability lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you pursue financial compensation.

Why Hire a Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer?

If you’ve suffered an injury on someone else’s property, a lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident to determine whether the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition.
• Gather and preserve evidence such as surveillance footage, maintenance records, and witness statements.
• Negotiate with insurance companies to fight for a fair settlement.
• File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached.

A Fort Lauderdale premises liability lawyer will give you a much better chance of securing a fair settlement.

What is the Average Premises Liability Settlement?

Premises liability settlements can range from a few thousand dollars for minor injuries to upwards of $100,000 for severe injuries or permanent disability. The value of your claim will also depend on the circumstances surrounding the accident.

A Fort Lauderdale premises liability attorney can assess your case and estimate its worth.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover?

If you were injured due to a property owner’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:

• Medical expenses: You can recover the cost of hospital bills, surgery, physical therapy, and any ongoing medical treatment.
• Lost wages: If your injury kept you from working, you can recover the income you would’ve earned during your recovery.
• Loss of future earnings: You can seek compensation if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future.
• Pain and suffering: You can be compensated for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
• Property damage: You can recover the cost of any personal property damaged during the incident.
• Punitive damages: You may be awarded additional compensation if the property owner acted with reckless disregard for your safety.

A premises liability attorney in Fort Lauderdale can add up your damages and make sure your settlement covers them all.

How Long Do I Have to File a Premises Liability Lawsuit in Florida?

In Florida, the statute of limitations for filing a premises liability lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury. If you don’t file your claim before this deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation.

A personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale can help make sure you file on time.

What Evidence is Crucial in a Premises Liability Case?

To win your premises liability case, Chapter 768 Section 0755 of Florida law states that you must prove that the property owner had knowledge of the dangerous condition and should have taken action to remedy it. Types of evidence that may help you do so include:

• Photos or videos of the hazardous condition and the accident scene
• Incident reports filed with the property owner or business
• Eyewitness statements from people who saw the accident occur
• Medical records that show the extent of your injuries and link them to the accident
• Maintenance logs or cleaning schedules that show whether the property was properly maintained
• Surveillance footage from cameras that may have captured the incident

A Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney can help you collect this evidence and build a strong case.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Premises Liability Case?

It can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to settle a premises liability case. Some of the factors that will determine your case’s duration include whether liability is disputed, the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate, and whether the case goes to trial.

An experienced premises liability attorney can help speed up this process.

What is the Premises Liability Law in Florida?

Under Florida law, property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of any known dangers. Their level of duty depends on the legal status of the visitor:

• Invitees (like customers at a business) are owed the highest duty of care. Owners must regularly inspect their property and fix or warn about hazards.
• Licensees (like social guests) are owed a moderate duty. Owners must warn them of known dangers, but are not necessarily required to inspect for unknown hazards.
• Trespassers are typically owed no duty of care, except that property owners cannot intentionally harm them.

Types of Premises Liability Cases

Premises liability claims can arise from a wide range of incidents, such as:

• Slip and fall accidents
• Trip and fall incidents
• Inadequate lighting in stairwells or hallways
• Broken handrails or uneven flooring
• Swimming pool accidents
• Elevator and escalator malfunctions
• Falling merchandise or debris

What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident

If you’re injured on someone else’s property, taking the right steps afterward can affect your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:

1. Report the incident to the property owner, manager, or business and ask for an incident report.
2. Document the scene by taking photos or videos of the hazard that caused your injury.
3. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw what happened.
4. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor.
5. Avoid making statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a lawyer.
6. Consult a premises liability attorney to discuss your legal options.

Contact a Premises Liability Attorney in Fort Lauderdale

Premises liability cases can be difficult to win, especially when property owners deny responsibility. But you don’t have to fight for compensation on your own. An experienced Fort Lauderdale premises liability attorney from Blakeley Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can handle every part of your claim and make sure you receive a fair settlement.

Schedule a free consultation to learn about how you can obtain compensation for your injuries.