Boynton Beach Premises Liability Lawyer
Many accidents occur while the victim is on someone else’s property. In and of itself, that does not mean the property owner is financially responsible for the victim’s injuries. But Florida law does impose certain standards on property owners that can form the basis for what is known as a premises liability claim.
The rules governing premises liability can get quite complicated. That is why it is always a good idea to work with an experienced Boynton Beach premises liability lawyer. At Steinberg Law, our team has successfully handled many personal injury claims against negligent property owners. We will be happy to review your accident and advise you on how to best seek compensation for your losses.
Do You Have a Right to Compensation for Your Slip and Fall?
Premises liability cases are often described as “slip and fall” claims. But they can describe any type of personal injury arising from a dangerous or defective condition on someone’s property. Some common examples of such hazards include:
- broken or missing handrails on a staircase;
- lack of proper lighting in a public area, such as a stairway or parking lot;
- loose items on the floor;
- falling items from an improperly or over-stocked shelf;
- wet or slippery floors and entrances; and
- torn or ripped carpeting.
Even when the owner knew about a hazard and failed to correct it, however, their financial responsibility under Florida premises liability law may still depend on the legal status of the victim. What we mean by that is when it comes to premises liability, not all victims are the same. The law defines an injured person as either a trespasser, licensee, or invitee.
In the case of a trespasser–someone who was not supposed to be on the property in the first place–a property owner generally only has a duty not to intentionally injure such a person.
An invitee, in contrast, is someone invited onto the property primarily for the owner’s benefit, such as a customer shopping at a store. Owners owe invitees a duty to keep the premises in reasonably safe condition and provide warnings of any known (or reasonably discoverable) safety hazards.
Licensees fall somewhere in the middle. A licensee is someone lawfully on the property primarily for their own benefit, such as a person making a delivery or a social guest who visits a friend’s house. The property owner does not owe a licensee the same heightened duty of care as an invitee, but the owner must still warn the licensee of any dangerous conditions on the property that are not open and obvious.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
If you can establish a property owner’s liability for an accident on their premises, you can seek a full measure of damages under Florida law, including financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Such damages are often substantial as even a slip and fall accident can leave you with life-altering injuries requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
So if you, or someone in your family, needs legal advice and representation from a qualified Boynton Beach premises liability lawyer, call Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
