Winter Haven is in a prime central Florida location. Orlando, Tampa, Daytona and Atlantic or Gulf beaches are within easy driving distance, and Winter Haven boasts its own share of attractions. The Winter Haven – Lakeland MSA population is around 50,000, with 5 million tourists visiting the area each year.
So many people increase the likelihood of accidents on someone else’s property due to negligence, which may fall under the domain of premises liability claims. If you sustain injuries, you might qualify to seek compensation. An experienced premises liability lawyer in Winter Haven can help.
What Is Florida’s Premises Liability Law?
Before we get into the nuances of premises liability, you need to understand how laws define negligence and what a “duty of care” is. This duty of care means that those responsible must maintain their properties. They should also place warning signs or prevent access to hazardous areas before and during making repairs.
Negligence refers to not using a reasonable level of care to prevent others from sustaining injuries. To prove negligence, you must show that:
- Someone owed you a duty of care.
- That party breached their duty of care.
- The breach caused an accident.
- You sustained injuries or suffered other damages as a direct result.
According to Florida law, property owners, business owners and tenants must use reasonable care to keep their premises safe to prevent lawful visitors and licensees from injury. Trespassers typically have no recourse under premises liability rules, although there are exceptions. For instance, children who wander onto a property are not necessarily trespassing.
To be clear, you must sustain injuries to have a valid premises liability case.
What Kinds of Cases Can Premises Liability Lawyers in Winter Haven Handle?
It is impossible to anticipate every type of accident that might occur. However, common causes of premises liability accidents are:
- Slip and falls, or objects falling onto you
- Burns or electrocutions
- Assault
- Dog bites
- Drowning
Exposure to toxic chemicals can cause respiratory issues. Other types of injury-producing incidents might qualify as a premises liability case. If you are unsure, contact JustCallMoe.
When you hire us, we will fight to protect your best interests and make the claims process as easy as possible for you. We can:
- Offer advice and explain legal options
- Perform case-related administrative tasks
- Handle all communications with insurance companies
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Negotiate a favorable settlement or take your case to trial if needed
People with competent legal representation typically receive higher compensation than those who handle their claims alone.
What Injuries Can a Winter Haven Premises Liability Lawyer Help With?
Premises liability accidents can produce a variety of injuries. While some are relatively minor, others can be life-threatening or fatal.
Depending on the type of accident you have, you might experience:
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
Less serious injuries may only need cleaning and a bandage. However, many of these injuries require extensive medical treatment and time away from work during recovery. This combination can easily create a financial strain, adding additional burdens to your injury.
If you have evidence proving that the party responsible for the property was negligent, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses and other qualifying damages. A Winter Haven premises liability lawyer at JustCallMoe can assist you.
When Is a Property Owner Liable for Your Injuries?
In a premises liability case, you must prove that your injury-producing accident happened because the responsible party caused the hazardous condition. Another valid proof comes when that party knew or should have known about the danger but didn’t warn people about it or address it.
These examples of premises liability circumstances may help you understand the concept better:
- Store managers who don’t mop spills or slick floors promptly or place warning signs
- Swimming pool owners who don’t restrict access or post signs to swim at your own risk
- Property managers who don’t replace burned-out lights, broken handrails on steps or repair cracked or otherwise damaged walkways
- Dog owners whose animal bites or attacks you
- Owners who don’t properly secure elements that are at risk of falling
One of the main requirements for these cases is that the person responsible for the property knew or should have known about the hazard but failed to address the risk. The timing of when that person became aware is a vital element, but finding evidence to prove that timing often requires that an experienced personal injury attorney performs an investigation.
What Damages Are Available in a Premises Liability Case?
Every accident is different and produces varying injuries. Your compensation is unique to your case. However, these accidents may warrant several kinds of economic damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Replacement services
- Property damage
These damages reimburse you for tangible accident-related costs. They are dollar for dollar, so be sure to keep your bills and receipts.
Not every wound is physical. Some intangible injuries can affect your quality of life after an accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety, depression and PTSD
- Losing your ability to enjoy life
- Damage to personal relationships
These damages are sometimes challenging to prove, and liable insurance companies may deny your claim or offer only minimal compensation. If you qualify for non-economic damages, your premises liability lawyer in Winter Haven can ensure that insurance companies don’t take advantage of you.
Contact a Winter Haven Premises Liability Lawyer at JustCallMoe
If you sustain injuries in a premises liability accident, you need to focus on recovery. You don’t need to worry about finances, legal complexities or arguing with an insurance company. When you contact JustCallMoe, we will do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. We have a proven track record of handling premises liability successfully, obtaining millions of dollars for our clients.
If you need a premises liability lawyer in Winter Haven, contact JustCallMoe today. We offer free consultations, and you will not pay us unless we win. We are available 24/7 via live chat or by calling (866) CALL-MOE. You can also submit our online case evaluation request form and expect a fast response.