When would you need a premises liability lawyer? Well, anytime you get injured on someone else’s property, because under premises liability law, the owner of a property owes people on their premises a duty of care to protect against dangerous conditions. At Distasio Law Firm in Tampa, FL our experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of those who have been injured by the negligence of another, including accidents and injuries that occurred on someone elseโs property due to unsafe conditions.
Whether the owner knew that a danger existed on their property and failed to address it or even if they were unaware of the potential hazard, they could still be held responsible for any injury which occurred. A Tampa premises liability lawyer in Tampa from Distasio Law Firm can review your case and help you pursue compensation after getting injured.
Losses You Can Recoup Following a Premises Liability Accident
The aftermath of a premises liability accident can impede all aspects of your life. You shouldnโt have to put up with these emotional, physical, and financial hardships without monetary aid. You can request compensation from the liable party by filing a premises liability claim for losses, such as:
- Past and anticipated medical bills
- Past lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost quality of life
- Disfigurement and disability
- Wrongful death damages
For the more tangible losses like the first two, your lawyer can use receipts, bills, and invoices to add up the total amount of money youโre losing. They can also speak to your medical team to get an idea of your expected recovery. Intangible damages, like pain and suffering, are difficult to price, but we can review how they have impacted your life and valuate them accordingly.
Whatever You Need for Your Premises Liability Case, You Can Rely on Us
We provide all of our services on a no-win, no-fee structure, so paying us up front or hourly wonโt be an issue. We will instead deduct our payment from your final compensatory award. Should we be unsuccessful, you still wonโt owe us any attorneyโs fees.
While we work on this payment arrangement, we can:
- Obtain the incident report
- Review photos and videos of the accident scene
- Look at the involved partiesโ insurance policies
- Show negligence
- Act as the messenger between you and the other partyโs representatives
- Negotiate a settlement with the insurer
- File a lawsuit
- Adhere to Florida-mandated deadlines
- Prepare your case for trial, if need be
Our team of premises liability attorneys in Tampa are committed to putting our injury clients first, making The Distasio Difference. We will put The Distasio Personal Touch on your case, working towards the compensation you are entitled to recover.
Complying With State-Mandated Deadlines is Crucial
There are state-imposed deadlines for filing a lawsuit. For example, personal injury lawsuits generally must be filed within two years of the day of the accident, as Florida Statutes ยง 95.11(3)(a) articulates. If your loved one lost their life in a premises liability accident, Florida Statutes ยง 95.11 (4)(d) allows two years from the day of death to file.
Failure to file within the designated deadline would tell the courts that youโre forfeiting your right to compensation. In that case, you would bear the burden of paying off your accident-related damages, as opposed to the liable party.
The Tampa negligent property owner lawyers at Distasio Law Firm can help you follow the applicable statute of limitations if we are given enough notice.
A Lawyer From Distasio Law Firm Can Handle Many Premises Liability Cases in Tampa
Premises liability covers different types of cases on someone elseโs property, such as:
Trip or Slip and Fall
What exactly is a slip-and-fall accident? Although it may not sound like a serious accident to be involved in, there can be devastating injuries resulting from a slip or trip and fall. Whether you tripped because of bad lighting, an uneven surface, or broken stairs, the property owner could be held accountable for your injuries.
If you suffered from a broken bone, bruises, a fracture, or a back injury, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our office in Tampa to learn how we could help you.
Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
Every year, people are injured and killed as the result of animal attacks. If you were the victim of a dog bite, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm. Under Florida law, people have the right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the owner of a dog who attacked them.
Falling Objects
Were you injured because of a falling object? If an object fell and injured you because of the negligence of a property owner, you could have a premises liability case. One common place for falling object injuries to take place is construction sites.
Construction sites, for example, are one of the most dangerous workplace environments, and if safety regulations were not upheld, the property owner could be held accountable.
Negligent Security
What happens if you were assaulted or robbed while on the property of someone else. Even though it was a criminal offense, the owner could still be partly responsible. For example, if they did not ensure that security was up to standard and that was the cause of the incident, the owner could be found liable.
Do not hesitate to contact our premises liability attorneys in Tampa if you have questions about an incident that took place because of negligent security.
Retail Store Negligence
Were you injured in a store? It is the responsibility of store owners to ensure that their property is free of hazards. If an individual is injured while on their property, they could be held financially responsible for any medical expenses or pain and suffering which occurred as a result.
Swimming Pool Accidents
If you were injured in another personโs pool or a loved one drowned in another personโs pool, you could have a premises liability case. Owners of pools have the responsibility to ensure that their pool is safe. Whether they have invited guests over to use the pool or a child wandered into the pool without their knowledge, they are still responsible for the safety of those on their property.
Whether there was a lack of safety equipment, improper fencing or gates, or defective equipment in the pool, please contact our firm to learn how we could help you.
Workplace Accidents
What should you do if you were injured while at work? Workplace accidents can fall under the category of premises liability law. Some workplace environments are more dangerous than others, but they all come with certain hazards.
Whether you were injured in a slip and fall accident, suffered from a burn, fell from scaffolding, or were exposed to a dangerous material, you could be entitled to recover compensation for what you went through. We can also help ensure that you are not retaliated against by your employer for reporting the accident.
Common Injuries Seen in Premises Liability Accidents in Tampa
Tampa premises liability accidents can produce critical and catastrophic injuries. If you were hurt on another personโs property, you may have the right to obtain financial compensation.
Some common injuries premises liability victims suffer include:
- Facial injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression, anxiety, and other emotional injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Head trauma injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Burns
If you suffered another type of injury that was not listed above, you may still have the right to hold the liable party accountable for their negligence.
Property Owner Liability Exclusions
Although property owners are generally held accountable in premises liability claims, there are exceptions to this rule. Property owners can escape compensating you if they can prove that you were committing a crime, trespassing, or that the hazard in question was open and obvious. As a result, your injury settlement could be reduced.
A skilled Tampa lawyer on our team can help prove that the property owner owed you a duty of care and that you have a right to recover damages from them.
Tampa Premises Liability FAQ
The premises liability claims process in Tampa can be complex. You may have many unanswered questions surrounding what to expect from this process. In the hopes of preparing you for whatโs to come, we have answered some of the more commonly asked questions surrounding Tampa premises liability cases. If you have additional questions that are not answered on this page, consider contacting our office for a free consultation.
Will I Have to Go to Court?
It is possible that your case will have to go to court. If the insurance company is unwilling or unable to settle your claim reasonably, you may need to bring your case before the judge to recover compensation.
However, in many cases, we can obtain the compensation you deserve through an insurance settlement.
What If I Share Fault for My Injuries?
Sharing fault does not prohibit you from financial recovery under Floridaโs comparative negligence laws (per Florida Statutes ยง 768.81). Instead, you could expect your injury settlement to reflect a shared fault that correlates with your percentage of liability.
For example, if your percentage of liability amounted to 25%, your injury settlement would be reduced by 25%.
Should I Give a Statement to the Insurance Company?
You should never speak to the insurance company without discussing your case with your attorney first. Insurance companies may look for any opportunity they can to reduce or deny you the compensation you are entitled to receive.
If you give them a statement, they could make you seem liable for the accident or that you have admitted guilt in some way. Have your attorney handle the negotiations process on your behalf if you want to take steps to protect your injury settlement.
Looking for a Tampa Premises Liability Attorney?
If you were the victim of any of these types of accidents, please do not hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team at Distasio Law Firm. Our main goal is to ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation you deserve.
If you would like more information, please contact a Tampa Florida premises liability lawyer today. Your first call is free of charge. Do not wait to get the help you need!