You can suffer injuries on someone else’s property in Tampa in many different ways. From slip and fall accidents to dog bites to criminal assaults, you run the risk of sustaining serious injuries virtually anywhere you go. The injuries you suffer may require extensive medical treatments and therapy, and you may have to take time off work to recover.
You weren’t prepared to deal with the extra medical bills and other financial hardships, and you don’t know where to turn for help. You may know you could recover compensation from the property owners and others responsible for your injuries, but you may not know how to go about getting the financial compensation you need.
Fortunately, you have resources available and the experienced Tampa premises liability attorneys at Apex Law are here for you. Our compassionate and zealous attorneys will review your claim at no cost and advise you of your rights and options. If you have a valid claim, we will fight for you each step of the way to increase your chances of getting the full financial recovery you deserve.
Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 to request a free consultation.
How Apex Law Can Help With Your Tampa Premises Liability Claim
When you choose Apex Law to as your Tampa premises liability lawyers, you will receive these benefits:
- Experience. Our law firm’s founding partners, attorneys Jeff Constantinos and Chris Castillo, have more than 20 years of collective legal experience. We have successfully handled many premises liability claims, and we have in-depth knowledge of Florida’s premises liability laws.
- Personalized attention. The legal team at Apex Law will treat you like a member of the family, and our lawyers will deliver personalized attention to your case. We make your legal needs our main priority, and we will do all we can to get everything you need to realize as full of a recovery as possible.
- Clear communication. We believe in keeping our clients in the loop with what’s happening with their cases, and we will deliver regular updates on your case. You can reach out to us at any time with your questions and concerns, and we will respond promptly.
- Top-ranked, award-winning service. Our lawyers have earned consistent top rankings and endorsements from our peers for our remarkable professionalism. We have also received numerous five-star reviews and powerful testimonials from our satisfied clients. We are proud of our reputation for excellence, and we will work diligently to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Over the years, we have recovered millions of dollars in total compensation for our clients, including many substantial verdicts and settlements. Large insurance companies do not intimidate us, and we will not hesitate to take your case to court if necessary.
Additionally, our law firm offers free consultations, and our lawyers work on contingency. You won’t have to pay anything money upfront, and we will only accept a fee if we recover compensation for you. Therefore, you have nothing to lose by calling Apex Law for your free evaluation of your premises liability claim.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a broad area of personal injury law. A premises liability claim can hold a property owner accountable for any injuries or damages someone else sustained while on the property. In many cases, state statutes define and govern premises laws.
What Are Some Examples of Premises Liability?
Several types of accidents fall under the umbrella of premises liability, including:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Struck by object accidents
- Inadequate or negligent security
- Dog bites
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Swimming and drowning accidents
- Fire hazards and burn injuries
- Toxic exposure to chemicals or fumes
- Violent crimes and sexual assault
Other scenarios may lead to a premises liability claim as well. If you suffered injuries on someone else’s property, consult our attorneys to learn about your options for pursuing compensation.
Where Do Premises Liability Accidents Most Often Occur in Tampa?
Tampa has numerous parks and public spaces along with hundreds of miles of sidewalks. The city is also home to dozens of stores, shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. Tampa also has many parking garages, and the area receives large amounts of rain each year.
As such, several different scenarios can result in serious injuries on someone else’s property, and some of the common areas premises liability accidents happen include:
- Slip and fall accidents in retail stores. Slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or hazards like spilled liquids or merchandise can lead to slip and fall accidents in retail stores, supermarkets, malls, or shopping centers. Whether shopping at the IKEA in Ybor City or at the Public Supermarket on Nebraska Avenue, or enjoying at the Tampa Zoo or Busch Gardens, you could slip and fall because of a puddle or spilled drink.
- Accidents in restaurants and bars. While dining at La’Tuse, the Blue Flame, J. Alexander’s, franchises like McDonald’s or Burger King, or any of the many other eateries in Tampa, you could slip on a spill or trip over frayed carpeting or uneven floor. You could also suffer injuries if a waiter dropped hot food or liquid on you.
- Accidents in parking lots and garages. Tampa has several parking garages, such as Poe Garage, Waterview Garage, and others. Poorly maintained parking lots with potholes, inadequate lighting, insufficient signs, and other hazards can contribute to accidents such as slips, trips, falls, or vehicle collisions. Negligent security can result in criminal assaults.
- Accidents in hotels or resorts. Tampa gets thousands of tourists each year, and the city routinely hosts conventions and other events. Dozens of hotels and motels serve the Tampa area, such as the Westin Tampa Waterside, the Hilton Downtown, and the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Hazards like wet floors, defective staircases, broken handrails, unattended swimming pools, inadequate security, or faulty equipment in hotels or resorts can lead to accidents and injuries.
- Accidents in apartment complexes or rental properties. Nearly 385,000 people live in Tampa, many in apartments or condos. Negligent maintenance, insufficient security measures, or unsafe conditions in common areas, such as hallways, staircases, or swimming pools, can result in accidents and injuries.
- Accidents in public places. Tampa has many public parks, such as Julian B. Lane Riverside Park, Ballast Point Park, Centennial Park, and many others. The city also has miles of sidewalks, government buildings, and other public spaces. Any of these locations can cause premises liability accidents from broken pavement, inadequate lighting, or lack of warning signs.
- Accidents in private residences. Homeowners may bear liability for accidents on their property due to unsafe conditions, poorly maintained walkways, or inadequate security.
Additionally, Tampa is a dog-friendly city, and thousands of people in the area own dogs. You can suffer a dog bite virtually anywhere in Tampa, and if the attack injured you, you could hold the dog owner liable no matter where the bite occurred.
No matter the location or circumstances of how you suffered injuries on someone else’s property in Tampa, call our attorneys immediately to find out if you can pursue compensation.
How Can I Hold a Property Owner Liable for My Injuries?
All property owners have an inherent duty to keep their property safe for visitors and others who have a legal reason to enter the premises.
The law considers three types of property visitors:
- Invitee - Someone who enters a property with an explicit or implicit invitation from the property owner. Anyone who visits a store, restaurant, or other public establishment is an invitee.
- Licensees - Those who access the property with permission but not for business purposes. Social guests are good examples of licensees.
- Trespassers - Those on a property without permission. A property owner does not owe a duty of care to trespassers specifically, but they cannot intentionally harm or place hazards on the property to hurt a trespasser, and they owe them a duty of care when they discover the trespasser on their property.
To determine liability, your lawyer will need to show:
- The property owner had control over the premises and knew about or should have known about the hazard.
- The property owner failed to remove or mitigate the hazard or place warning signs around it.
- By neglecting their duty to keep you safe, the property owner injured you.
- You suffered damages, such as medical bills or lost income, as a result.
In addition, others may also bear liability for your injuries, such as store managers and employees, and other third parties. Your attorney can review your case and gather all the evidence needed to prove the liability of the property owner and any other parties.
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Premises Liability Claim?
If your attorney can establish a property owner or occupier’s negligence and that negligence injured you, you could receive compensation.
The specific compensation you can seek depend on your case and the extent of your injuries, but compensation available in premises liability claims can include:
- Medical expenses. You could obtain compensation for your medical treatments related to your injuries, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, therapy, and future medical expenses.
- Lost income. If you missed work because of your injuries or lost work hours, you could receive compensation for missed income and other financial job perks. If your premises liability injuries permanently disable you, you may receive compensation for your diminished earning capacity and other costs associated with your disabling condition.
- Disfigurement or disability. If your injuries resulted in permanent disfigurement, scarring, or disability that affects your appearance, abilities, or quality of life, you may recover compensation to account for the impact on your life.
- Rehabilitation and ongoing care. If your injuries require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, or therapy, you may receive compensation for these future expenses.
- Pain and suffering. You may pursue compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life you experienced due to the injuries you sustained on someone else’s premises.
- Loss of consortium. If your injuries have significantly affected your relationship with your spouse or partner, resulting in a loss of companionship or an inability to engage in normal marital or familial activities, you could obtain compensation for the loss of consortium.
- Property damage. If the incident damaged or destroyed your personal property, you can seek compensation for the repair or replacement of the damaged items.
Our attorneys can determine the compensation you can pursue and calculate how much you will need to cover your costs, now and in the future.
Speak with an Experienced Tampa Premises Liability Attorney Today
Since Florida only allows you two years from your injury to file a premises liability lawsuit in court, you need to start right away. You need to contact our Tampa premises liability attorneys today for a free review of your case and advice regarding your options.
The attorneys at Apex Law have extensive experience helping people throughout Tampa with their serious and complex premises liability claims. We are here for you when you need us, and we are committed to helping you get the maximum compensation possible.
Contact us today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.