Suppose you fell in a Tampa parking lot because of a pothole or other pavement defect. In that case, you could build a case and hold the property owner (or another responsible party) accountable for your injuries. You could secure a payout to cover your medical care, pain and suffering, and more.
A Tampa potholes in parking lots lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to navigate this process for you while you focus on healing from your injuries. Our team of Tampa premises liability attorneys may be able to file a claim or take legal action to seek damages based on your documented losses.
Common Injuries Seen in Parking Lot Accidents
Before you suffered your injury, you might have assumed that potholes in parking lots were not capable of producing serious injuries. On the contrary, parking lot potholes can cause debilitating and even life-threatening injuries under the worst circumstances.
However, you do not need to suffer a life-threatening injury to be entitled to financial compensation. If your injuries have significantly impacted your life, the liable party should repay you for that loss. Some types of injuries we see more frequently in parking lot accidents than others include:
- Road rash injuries
- Concussion
- Internal bleeding
- Organ failure
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Head injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Paralysis
- Lacerations leading to sepsis
- Broken and fractured bones
These are just a few injuries our lawyers see in parking lot accidents in Tampa. If a pothole in a parking lot caused you another injury, you could still recover restitution for your damages with the help of a skilled attorney. Find out how much your claim could be worth by telling our staff the details of your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Pothole Accident Lawyer serving Tampa, call (813) 259 0022
Florida Premises Liability Law Requires Property Owners to Protect Guests
Under Florida Statutes § 768.10, Florida lawmakers directly addressed the actions property owners must take and the remedies available if an injury occurs from a pit or hole greater than two feet in depth. Smaller potholes fall under the general premises liability rules outlined elsewhere in Chapter 768 of the statutes.
In general, if the hazard is known and someone visits the property as a customer, guest, or for another legal reason, the property owner may be responsible for any injuries they suffer. This responsibility may be true no matter if those injuries occur while the person is:
- Walking
- Riding a motorcycle
- Riding a bicycle, scooter, skateboard, etc.
- Driving a car
Too Many Pedestrian Injuries Occur in Florida Parking Lots
However, most of these injuries occur when customers or clients cross a parking lot on foot and accidentally step into a pothole or trip over the edge of the uneven pavement. Falls are exceedingly common. According to the Florida Department of Health, falls led to approximately half of non-fatal mechanism injury-related hospitalizations in Hillsborough County in 2018.
Tampa Pothole Accident Lawyer Near Me (813) 259 0022
How Our Lawyers Will Handle Your Parking Lot Slip and Fall Case
If you suffered injuries in a Tampa parking lot because of a pothole, crack, or another defect, reach out to our team and let our capable lawyers review your slip and fall case. If we agree to represent you, we will do so based on contingency. Our office will commit the time, resources, and financial support necessary to:
- Investigate your accident
- Enlist the help of experts when necessary
- Build a case to support your claim or civil suit
- Negotiate a fair settlement or take the case to trial
If a property owner or another occupier’s negligence toward maintaining their property led to your injuries, you could obtain legal support and justice. Let us help you seek compensation for the losses you endured.
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Distasio Law Firm Puts Clients’ Needs First
If we believe you have a case against the property owner or another party based on your Tampa parking lot fall, a potholes in parking lots lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to represent you at no upfront cost. We are dedicated to always putting our clients first, including ensuring you can get the legal representation you need without having to spend anything out of pocket.
At our law firm, you will work with an attorney who will know your name, the facts of your case, and other details that many firms might overlook. You can count on our team to be honest and forthright with you and take the necessary steps to seek and secure compensation.
Our team can tell you more about how you may be able to hold the property owner accountable for the potholes in their parking lot that caused your fall injuries.
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Damages May Be Available Through a Settlement or Verdict
Distasio Law Firm can often reach out-of-court settlements to hold a property owner liable and recover damages for our clients. We file a claim and present strong evidence to support it, including documentation of our client’s related damages. Then, we work to negotiate a settlement agreement that considers their damages.
Suppose the insurance company or law firm representing the liable party refuses to agree to a fair settlement or the property owner refuses to accept responsibility. In that case, we can turn to legal remedies available through the civil court system.
Most cases do not go to trial. But we are ready, willing, and able to do so if necessary in your case. If we have to go to trial and the jury agrees that the property owner acted negligently and is liable, our client will be compensated for their losses.
Your Accident-Related Losses Are Compensable
Damages recoverable in a settlement or award may include:
- Current and future medical treatment for fall injuries
- Current and future lost wages and reduced ability to earn
- Damages to personal property, often glasses, a cell phone, or other items
- Out-of-pocket expenses spent as a result of the fall or injuries
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
Distasio Law Firm will be glad to discuss your fall and injuries with you in the days following your accident or as soon as your injuries are stable. Just reach out to us to get started.
How Florida Shared Fault Laws Could Impact Your Case
Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. You might have previously thought that sharing fault for your parking lot accident injuries would prevent you from recovering compensation. However, this is not always the case. Under Florida law, if you are partially at fault for your accident or injuries, you could still be awarded compensation for your damages.
Your injury settlement will need to be reduced accordingly, though. For example, if you were found 10% at fault for your injuries, your injury settlement will be reduced by 10% as well. The impact Florida’s comparative negligence laws could have on your case is significant. A legal advocate on your side can ensure that liability is correctly assessed in your case.
Time Limits for Potholes in Parking Lot Claims in Florida
While recuperating from your injuries, bringing your case to court may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, Florida has a strict statute of limitations under Florida Statutes § 95.11, which means you need to take action quickly.
If your civil lawsuit is not filed before the two-year statute of limitations expires, you would no longer have the right to seek compensation in the Tampa civil court system. Take steps to protect your injury settlement and avoid procedural issues and deadlines discrepancies like these by retaining personal injury representation.
Discuss Your Case with a Tampa Potholes in Parking Lots Attorney
Figuring out how to get justice after a parking lot accident caused by a pothole can be overwhelming. If you hope to make the liable party pay and get the most out of your insurance and civil claims, you need legal guidance and support you can count on.
A Tampa potholes in parking lots lawyer from Distasio Law Firm may be able to pursue liability and a payout in your trip and fall case. Call us today to learn more and for your free Tampa case review. We know how a pothole caused your slip and fall injury, but we can investigate why the property owner let such a hazard stand.
Call or text (813) 259 0022 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form