Most of us are familiar with the classic premises liability case where a shopper sues a store for damages after falling on a slick floor. The store could be held liable if they fail to manage a dangerous condition on the property. But what if you are injured in a fall at a friend’s house rather than property open to the public like a store? Do you still have opportunities for recovering compensation for harm caused by a hazardous condition?
A lawyer can evaluate your case to determine whether another party could be held liable for your injuries and explain your options for relief.
Why Property Owners May Be Responsible When You Fall
The doctrine of premises liability is what makes property owners liable for certain situations where someone is injured on their property. If the property owner is negligent and you trip and fall because of that lack of responsibility, a lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation to pay for medical bills, lost income due to time off work, and other effects such as pain and suffering.
The key is to collect evidence to demonstrate negligence on the part of the property owner. A person may be considered negligent when they owe a duty to someone, they fail to fulfill that duty, and the failure causes harm.
A Lawyer Knows Your Status on the Property Matters
Property owners owe a duty of care to people who enter their premises, but that duty varies depending on why someone is there. The greatest care is owed to people who enter a business for the property owner’s benefit, such as someone shopping at a store. Slightly less care is owed to someone considered to be a social guest. And very little care is owed to a person who trespasses on property.
If you are visiting a friend and are injured on their property, they could be held liable if they are aware of a hazardous condition and fail to warn you about it or protect you from harm. The owners do not generally have a duty to be on the lookout for dangers, so a trip and fall lawyer in Ft. Lauderdale will need to find evidence to show that the owners knew about the danger.
Talk to a Ft. Lauderdale Trip and Fall Lawyer About Your Fall
Property owners have a general duty to keep their premises safe, and when their lack of responsibility causes harm, they should be held accountable. Most property owners carry liability insurance for just this type of situation.
If you were injured on someone else’s property, a lawyer could review the circumstances of your case to determine whether you have a valid claim for damages. To learn more about your options, call 954-784-6310 or reach out to us online now.