Hamilton County Premises Liability Attorney
When we go to the grocery store or visit a neighbor, we don’t expect to get injured in the process. However, accidents can happen on another person’s property due to a variety of reasons.
This is called premises liability and it is an area of law that includes a variety of issues caused by someone else’s negligence. A property owner who is negligent and causes a person to become injured can be held liable.
Negligence is the key term here, and it’s important to know that a property owner is not automatically negligent if a person is injured on their property. Even if the property is in unsafe condition, the property owner still might not be negligent. The laws can be confusing, so contact a Hamilton County premises liability attorney at Meldon Law to learn more about your legal rights and next steps after an accident.
Types of Premises Liability
Premises liability can encompass many types of accidents and events, such as
- Slips and falls
- Poor maintenance
- Defective conditions
- Dog bites
- Stairway accidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Swimming pool accidents
- Amusement park accidents
- Fires
- Floods and water leaks
- Inadequate building security
- Assault
- Rape
Get the Legal Support You Need – Call a Hamilton County Premises Liability Attorney Now!
What the Law Says
Under Florida law, a property owner or tenant of a business is responsible for keeping the premises free of hazards. When the owner fails to do so, they can be liable for any injuries that occur on the premises due to negligence.
The degree of liability depends on the visitor type:
- Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. These are people who have been invited onto the property, whether they are customers or social guests.
- A licensee is someone who is on the property to benefit themselves. This may be a person who is at a gas station to use a restroom, for example, even though they are not buying anything. The property owner is still liable for any danger to the licensee.
- A trespasser is someone who is on the property illegally, without permission. A property owner still needs to provide some degree of care to the property so that there are no harmful conditions (or if there are, they are clearly marked). It is important to know that children are not considered trespassers under Florida law, since they tend to be curious and unaware of dangers.
Contact a Hamilton County Premises Liability Attorney Today
Whether you are at a friend’s house, walking in a parking lot, shopping at the grocery store, or enjoying a night out at the club, you expect some degree of safety. If a property owner’s negligence or lack of maintenance caused you to suffer an accident, make sure you are fully compensated for your damages.
Premises liability issues can result in serious injuries. The Hamilton County premises liability attorneys at Meldon Law can help deal with insurance companies and other third parties. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling us today.
