Wesley Chapel, FL Premises Liability Lawyer

If you were hurt in an accident on someone else’s property in Wesley Chapel, you may have the right to seek financial compensation from a negligent property owner in a premises liability claim. The legal team at Zervos & Calta, PLLC can pursue accountability and justice for your injuries. We’ve earned a “tough as nails” reputation, so insurance companies know we have what it takes to win and will take a case to trial if necessary.

Attorneys Angela Zervos and Lauren Calta meet with every client – you will never have to go through a paralegal or case manager. When you call to discuss your case, you’ll talk to your lawyer. We ensure that you never feel like just another case file. Contact us today for a free initial case review to learn how a Wesley Chapel premises liability lawyer can help.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability refers to a type of personal injury claim arising from an incident caused by a dangerous property condition. A lawful visitor to someone else’s property may have a premises liability claim if they get hurt in an accident due to a hazardous condition arising from the property owner’s or occupier’s negligence.

The law requires property owners and tenants to reasonably protect lawful visitors from dangerous conditions. Depending on the circumstances, reasonable efforts may include conducting regular checks for hazardous conditions, notifying visitors of hazards, or fixing any dangerous conditions on the premises. A property owner whose negligence injures a visitor may be liable for the visitor’s losses.

What Types of Accidents Are Considered Premises Liability Cases?

Premises liability claims in Wesley Chapel, Florida, can arise from accidents caused by dangerous conditions on another person’s or business’s property. Examples of common premises liability claims include:

• Slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accidents
• Fires or explosions
• Electrocutions
• Dog bites or animal attacks
• Elevator and escalator accidents
• Negligent or insufficient security
• Staircase accidents
• Swimming pool accidents
• Toxic exposure

What Are Common Injuries from Premises Liability Accidents?

Depending on the type of accident, a premises liability case can involve visitor injuries such as:

• Severe cuts and bruises
• Burns
• Electrocution injuries
• Broken bones
• Ligament sprains and tears
• Muscle or tendon strains and tears
• Back injuries, including herniated spinal discs or whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Internal organ injuries
• Facial injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Traumatic amputation or limb loss

Who Can File a Wesley Chapel Premises Liability Lawsuit?

Under premises liability law, someone may file a lawsuit when they get hurt in an accident on someone else’s property caused by a dangerous property condition, such as a slipping or tripping hazard or an aggressive pet. Premises liability law typically protects lawful visitors to the property. In these cases, the injury victim usually must prove that:

• The property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition.
• The property owner failed to fix the condition or warn them about the issue.
• The victim was harmed by the hazard and suffered losses as a result.

People who illegally enter the property, or trespass, usually do not have a premises liability claim after getting hurt on the property. Exceptions to this trespasser rule include injuries intentionally inflicted by the property owner, such as by setting up traps. There is also an exception for young children who trespass on the property due to an “attractive nuisance” that draws them to play, such as a swimming pool.

Florida’s statute of limitations on premises liability claims requires an injured person to file a lawsuit within two years of an accident. An injury victim who files their lawsuit after the limitations period expires may lose their right to seek compensation from a negligent property or business owner in court.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Premises Liability Claim in Wesley Chapel?

In most cases, a property owner will bear responsibility for the injuries and losses a visitor suffers in an accident on the property. However, other parties may be liable for a property accident in other circumstances. Examples of parties you might bring a premises liability claim against include:

• The property’s owner – Premises liability law usually holds property owners responsible for accidents caused by hazardous conditions on their property.
• A residential tenant – A residential tenant may be liable when a visitor gets hurt inside their residence since tenants are typically responsible for maintaining their exclusive leased areas.
• A commercial tenant or business – Many businesses that lease their premises take on most maintenance responsibilities and may bear liability for an accident that occurs on the property.
• A residential landlord – Residential landlords bear responsibility for accidents caused by dangerous conditions in the building’s or complex’s common areas.
• A commercial landlord – A commercial property owner, such as a shopping center or office building owner, may bear liability for a premises liability accident in the common areas of the property that are the owner’s responsibility to maintain.
• A property management company – Some property owners turn maintenance responsibilities over to a property management company, which may be responsible for negligently failing to carry out their maintenance duties.
• A maintenance company – Property owners may hire third-party contractors to perform property maintenance, such as cleaning floors or repairing parking lots or sidewalks. A maintenance company that performs negligent maintenance work, including failing to conduct regular inspections for maintenance issues, may bear liability when a visitor gets hurt in an accident.

What Compensation May Be Recovered for a Wesley Chapel Premises Liability Lawsuit?

In a premises liability claim, you may have the right to seek financial recovery for losses you sustain due to accident injuries. Compensation recoverable in a premises liability lawsuit can include:

• Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation
• Costs of long-term disability care, such as home health services
• Lost wages from missed work
• Lost earning capacity after becoming temporarily or permanently disabled from your job or other work
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma or distress
• Reduced quality and enjoyment of life caused by disabilities, disfigurement, or scarring

Contact a Wesley Chapel Premises Liability Lawyer

If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident on someone else’s property, you may have the right to demand financial compensation from a negligent property or business owner. Contact Zervos & Calta, PLLC, today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Wesley Chapel premises liability lawyer to discuss your legal options for holding the property owner accountable for your harm.