Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims, and premises liability cases are no exception.
When someone enters a property, they have the right to expect a safe environment. Unfortunately, some property owners fail to maintain their premises, leading to serious or even life-threatening injuries. A premises liability lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens from Gordon & Partners may be able to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Florida law mandates that both public and private properties meet safety standards to protect visitors. Contact a Palm Beach Gardens premises liability attorney today for a free consultation—and remember, you don’t pay until we win!
Types of Premises Liability Claims
Individuals can suffer unexpected injuries due to a property owner’s negligence in various situations. For instance, a visitor at a supermarket may slip and fall if a spilled product in the aisle isn’t promptly cleaned up by staff. Likewise, a person could face serious injuries from a falling tree branch if the property owner neglects proper tree maintenance.
Other examples include clothing piles on the floor of a retail store, an unprotected construction site, or unstable stairs in an apartment building. In such scenarios, injured individuals may be entitled to file a lawsuit and seek compensation through a verdict, settlement, or award.
Common premises liability claims often arise from incidents such as:
- Slips and falls
- Falling ceilings
- Inadequate security
- Elevator and escalator malfunctions
- Dangerous walkways
- Accidents in construction areas
- Exposure to hazardous materials
- Fires
- Unsafe buildings
- Electrical shocks
- Ice and snow-related accidents
- Poor retail store upkeep
- Amusement park injuries
Understanding Landowner Responsibilities
Premises liability laws are designed to safeguard individuals present on or around properties where hazardous conditions exist. While not every slip-and-fall or related injury qualifies for a liability claim, many cases lead to lawsuits that often settle favorably for the injured party.
In this context, how a person enters a property is crucial in assessing whether they can pursue a premises liability claim. Individuals may enter a property in the following ways:
Invitee
An invitee is someone who has received explicit permission from the landowner or primary occupant to enter the property. On private land, invitees are typically granted access for activities such as hunting or providing a commercial service, like home repairs or renovations. In contrast, on public property, invitees are usually allowed entry primarily for the benefit of the property owner, such as customers in a retail store.
In these cases, it is the responsibility of the property owner or manager to ensure that invitees are informed about or shielded from any potential hazards that could lead to injury.
Licensee
A licensee is an individual who enters a property with the landowner’s permission but not for business purposes. Licensees often include friends, neighbors, or family members invited to visit.
It is the duty of the landowner or occupier to warn or protect the licensee from any hazardous areas on the property. For instance, if a homeowner is aware of a broken step on their staircase and fails to inform a licensee about the danger, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Trespasser
As the term suggests, a trespasser is someone who enters a property without the landowner’s permission. Typically, if the property owner is unaware of the trespasser’s presence (known as an “undiscovered trespasser”), they have no obligation to warn the trespasser of any dangers that could lead to injury. A common example of a trespasser might be someone who enters a front yard or porch to sell products, campaign for a political candidate, or request donations.
If you sustain injuries on someone else’s property, it is essential to seek medical care immediately. Delaying treatment can worsen your injuries. After receiving medical attention, consult a property liability lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens to discuss your legal options.
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Is Your Premises Liability Case Eligible?
Not every situation qualifies for a premises liability claim. To successfully invoke premises liability laws, the defendant must own or be responsible for the upkeep of the property where the incident took place. Additionally, they must have acted negligently or engaged in wrongdoing that led to the individual’s injury.
Unfortunately, proving premises liability claims has become increasingly challenging due to a rise in fraudulent claims against innocent property owners. Many state laws now tend to protect the interests of property owners, especially since numerous individuals have sustained self-inflicted injuries in hopes of obtaining compensation.
At Gordon & Partners, our premises liability attorneys possess the expertise and resources needed to demonstrate that a property owner was negligent in the accident and, thus, should be held liable.
Moreover, our Palm Beach Gardens premises liability attorneys have successfully assisted thousands of injured clients in securing verdicts, settlements, and awards, collectively exceeding $1 Billion in compensation. We stand ready to help you, too! Reach out to us today for a complimentary, no-obligation assessment of your claim.
Work with a Premises Liability Lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens
No individual should have to endure injury due to someone else’s negligence, nor should any victim have to cope with the severe repercussions of such injuries, including chronic pain, overwhelming medical expenses, or lost wages from being unable to work.
If you’ve been injured because of a property owner’s negligence, seek the assistance of a Gordon & Partners premises liability attorney in Palm Beach Gardens. During this challenging period, our lawyers are here to advocate for your financial well-being by holding those responsible for your injuries accountable.
With over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, Gordon & Partners possesses the expertise and resources to effectively represent your case and help you obtain the maximum compensation permitted by law.
Contact us today to learn about the legal options available to premises liability victims and their families or to arrange a complimentary consultation with a qualified property liability lawyer in or around Palm Beach Gardens.
For a free case evaluation, call 1 (855) 722-2552 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form.