St. Petersburg Premises Liability Lawyer 

Were you injured on someone else’s property in St. Petersburg, Florida? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries under premises liability laws. Contact an experienced St. Petersburg premises liability lawyer at our law firm to discuss your options.

We have more than 25 years of combined legal experience and have helped clients like you win millions in life-changing financial awards. So, don’t let negligent property owners off the hook for your injuries and suffering. Let us help you hold them accountable for their dangerous premises. Give our St. Petersburg, FL law office a call or connect with us online to arrange a time for a free consultation.

Why Choose Our St. Petersburg Premises Liability Lawyers?

How Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys Can Help With Your Premises Liability Lawsuit

Premises owners might try to get rid of whatever hazard or dangerous condition caused you to get hurt. If you want to hold them accountable and recover compensation, it’s imperative that you report your accident, document the hazard, and contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer right away.

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we’re nationally recognized for our commitment to our clients and ability to get top results. It’s why our attorneys have been named Top 40 Under 40 Personal Injury Lawyers and America’s Top Attorneys in 2020. When insurance companies and property owners see us on the other side of a premises liability case, they’ll know you’re serious about getting every cent you deserve.

When you turn to us for help, our St. Petersburg premises liability attorneys will handle every aspect of your personal injury claim for damages – we’ll:

  • Execute a prompt and thorough investigation into your accident
  • Evaluate photographs, video footage, witness statements, accident reports, physical evidence from the premises, medical records, and other pieces of evidence
  • Consult with respected specialists and expert witnesses as we build and assess the value of your premises liability claim
  • Determine who, other than the property owner, may be liable for your injuries
  • Negotiate with other parties and their insurance companies on your behalf
  • Reject low settlement offers and bring your case to a jury in Pinellas County, if necessary

Our personal injury law firm will be prepared to do whatever it takes to get you the results you deserve. We offer personalized service that you can’t get at the big box firms while also putting considerable resources behind the cases we litigate. Give us a call now to arrange a time for a free consultation to learn more.

What is Premises Liability?

You shouldn’t have to be overly cautious when you leave your home and venture out in St. Petersburg. Being mindful of where you’re going and your surroundings should be enough to keep you safe. Florida’s premises liability laws help to ensure that this is a reality.

Under the law, property owners have an obligation to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. If you get hurt on someone else’s property because they were negligent and failed to keep the premises safe, you may have the right to recover compensation through a premises liability claim.

Status of Visitors Under Florida Premises Liability Law

Property owners in St. Petersburg don’t owe all visitors the same duty of care. The steps an owner has to take to ensure that visitors are safe from hazards depend on how the visitor is classified. Under Florida law, there are a few different classifications:

  • Public invitee: a public invitee is a person who lawfully and by direct and/or implied invitation enters property held open to the public (e.g., going to a public library to check out a book)
  • Business invitee: a business invitee is a person who, by direct and/or implied invitation, enters premises for a business purpose that benefits the property owner (e.g., going to a restaurant, nightclub, or grocery store)
  • Licensee: a licensee is a person who enters a property for their own purpose and convenience (e.g., entering a store for the sole purpose of using the bathroom)
  • Trespasser: a trespasser is a person who enters a property without an invitation and with no lawful purpose

Invitees are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition by inspecting for potential hazards, fixing them when they’re discovered, and providing warnings about concealed risks.  The vast majority of premises liability cases involve invitees. Owners owe licensees a less significant duty of care. Under the law, owners must warn of known dangers, not engage in intentionally harmful conduct, and not intentionally expose licensees to danger.

Trespassers are owed the lowest duty of care. Owners must simply avoid “willful and wanton injury” to unknown guests. Once a trespasser is discovered, an owner then assumes a duty to warn them of known hazards and dangers.

Note that owners typically assume a special responsibility when it comes to trespassing children. If the owner has an attractive nuisance on the premises, such as an old appliance or swimming pool, actionable steps must be taken to protect children from getting hurt.

We Handle All Types of Premises Liability Cases in St. Petersburg, FL

At Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys, we represent clients in premises liability matters involving:

If you got hurt because a property owner was negligent and failed to keep you safe, don’t hesitate to give our law office a call.

What Damages Are Available If I Got Hurt on Someone Else’s Property in St. Petersburg?

When you file a premises liability lawsuit, you should be able to recover compensation for your financial losses (economic damages) as well as your pain and suffering (non-economic damages). This can include money for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and benefits
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Disability
  • Mental anguish
  • Chronic physical pain
  • Rehabilitation
  • Nursing care
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Embarrassment

If the property owner (or another responsible party) was grossly negligent or engaged in intentionally harmful conduct, punitive awards might also be applicable. You deserve to recover a settlement or award that accurately reflects what your premises liability case is worth. That’s why our attorneys will work closely with experts and specialists to ensure that all of your damages are identified and correctly valued.

Can I Be Blamed for My Injuries and Still Get Compensation in Florida?

Florida adopted a modified comparative negligence, which means sharing 50% or less of the blame for your accident and injuries won’t bar a financial recovery. However, your damages will be reduced by your degree of fault. And if your share of fault exceeds 50%, you cannot receive compensation.

Property owners will be quick to point fingers and blame you. It’ll be essential to take prompt action and get an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg to represent you. Our legal team will be prepared for these strategies and ready to fend off these efforts to hurt your claim for damages.

How Long Do I Have to Sue a Property Owner After an Accident in Florida?

You’ll likely have two years after your accident to file a premises liability lawsuit and seek damages from the property owner, landlord, business, or another liable party. Negligence-based claims used to have a four-year filing window, but it was revised. Thus, if your premises liability incident occurred after that time, you’ll have two years to sue.

If a family member is killed in a fatal accident on someone else’s property, you’ll have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death action. There are times when other deadlines may apply to your case. However, these are the exceptions rather than the rule. And that could mean having less time to act, not more.

Don’t let too much time go by without taking action. If you miss the deadline that applies to your case, you’ll lose the ability to demand accountability and recover compensation for your losses.

Understanding Liability Claims vs. Liability Lawsuits: Navigating Premises Liability Cases

After experiencing an injury on someone else’s property due to their negligence, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming. Understanding the difference between premises liability claims and premises liability lawsuits is crucial in knowing your options and pursuing potential compensation.

Premises Liability Claims:

  • Initial Stage: This serves as the first formal step where you notify the responsible party (property owner, manager, or their insurance company) about your injury and your intent to seek compensation.
  • Initiation: You can file the claim directly or through legal counsel, often requiring details of the incident, your injuries, and supporting evidence.
  • Settlement Focus: Many claims are filed with the responsible party’s insurance company, aiming to reach a settlement agreement within their policy limits.

Premises Liability Lawsuit:

  • Escalation: If the claim negotiation reaches a dead end or fails to provide a satisfactory outcome, you may choose to file a lawsuit.
  • Formalized Action: This legally formalizes your case against the responsible party, initiating a judicial process in court.
  • Focus on Liability & Damages: The lawsuit seeks a court judgment to determine the liable party and the potential damages you are entitled to receive.

Key Takeaway:

Filing a claim is often the starting point, aiming for a resolution through settlement negotiations. If an agreement is not reached, a lawsuit can be filed, taking the case to court for a formal resolution.

What Happens if You Miss the Legal Deadline for Your Case?

If you miss the deadline for filing your premises liability lawsuit, things could go south pretty quickly. The judge might toss out your case right then and there. And if the other side finds out you missed the deadline, they could ask for the same thing. Here’s what that means:

  1. You won’t be able to go after compensation through the courts.
  2. The person or company you’re suing won’t have to pay for any damages you’re claiming anymore. That weakens your position because they’re not legally on the hook to make things right.
  3. You’re left holding the bag for covering your own damages.

It’s worth noting that the deadline isn’t set in stone for every case. Some situations might have shorter deadlines, like if a government entity is involved. Our Florida premises liability lawyers can give you the lowdown on what applies to your situation.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With an Experienced St. Petersburg Premises Liability Lawyer

Don’t hesitate to contact a St. Petersburg premises liability attorney if you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall accident, are the victim of an assault, or were injured because someone’s property wasn’t in a safe condition. Our St. Petersburg premises liability lawyers will help you fight for maximum financial compensation.

We’ll put 25+ years of combined experience and a winning reputation behind your case. We offer a free consultation and work on a basis. There’s no risk in asking for our help, so get in touch to schedule your free initial case evaluation now.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

Our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, FL also provides: