At Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC, we handle premises liability cases resulting from “slip and fall” and “trip and fall” accidents arising from unsafe conditions or an insufficient warning of danger. In Central Florida, we normally take for granted that homeowners and business owners will maintain their property in a manner that is safe for our citizens. We expect that any hazards will be reasonably addressed or, if necessary, effectively disclosed and blocked off. When owners do not properly address hazardous property conditions, then residents, customers, and the general public are at risk. If someone slips, falls, and suffers injury due to the negligence of a property owner, a personal injury claim can cover their damages.
Property owners, landlords, and business owners have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for their guests, tenants, and patrons. Specifically, public and private property owners have a duty to their invitees to:
- Use reasonable care to keep and maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition; and
- Warn of concealed dangers which are known, or should be known, to the landowner.
Consequently, property owners must maintain a safe and clean environment for visitors, customers, and employees. If hazards are present that may pose a risk of injury to visitors, then property owners are responsible for knowing about them and warning visitors to avoid injury. When an individual sustains a minor, serious, or fatal injury as a result of poorly maintained or unsafe property conditions, the property owner may be held liable under Florida premises liability law.
There are several situations resulting from negligence that can lead to a valid premises liability case. Some examples include:
- Broken sidewalks and walkways.
- Construction site hazards – improperly secured premises.
- Street repair sites.
- Wet and slippery walkways, stairways, and corridors.
- Inadequate handrails and fencing.
- Elevator and escalator accidents.
- Tenant slip, trip, and fall injuries caused by landlord negligence.
- Failure to warn of a hazardous or dangerous condition.
- Defective, inadequate, or inoperative lighting.
- Other improperly maintained premises that caused a slipping or tripping hazard.
When an accident occurs, it is the responsibility of the victim to prove that the property owner, landlord, or business owner was negligent and at fault. The key to any premises liability accident is to prove that the property owner or manager was negligent and your injury resulted from their negligence. This can be difficult when owners make quick repairs or remedy the situation that caused your injuries. Therefore, time is of the essence as evidence in a premises liability case can disappear quickly. If possible, immediately document the scene with photographs. If not, make a written record of the conditions of the premises when your injury occurred. This will help protect you against property owners who may cover up the conditions that caused your injuries. Also, this documentation will assist the premises liability lawyers at Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC to recreate the scene of your accident and fight to recover compensation for your losses.
If you have been injured as a result of a property owner’s neglect, you should take the following steps to protect your legal rights:
- Notify the owner or supervisor of the premises of your injury. If possible, fill out an accident report with all the details of both the dangerous condition and your injury. Demand a copy of the accident report.
- Take photographs of the accident scene and of your injuries.
- Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and follow your physician’s orders for your medications and treatment. Be sure to complete everything prescribed, including any physical therapy, and go to every doctor’s appointment.
- Contact an attorney at Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC.
At Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC, we represent the victims of slip, trip, and fall claims against property owners and their insurance companies. We aggressively pursue compensation for all related medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future vocational or medical needs. Our experienced trial attorneys handle injuries occurring on commercial properties including apartment complexes, shopping centers, parking lots, grocery stores, and movie theaters. We also prosecute claims involving private residences and public properties including government office buildings, parks, arenas, and waterfronts.
The attorneys at Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC aggressively fight on behalf of our clients’ rights and best interests. If you have been injured in a slip, trip or fall accident, the last thing you should have to worry about is financial security. We believe that our clients should be allowed to focus on getting better without having to stress over their future well-being. We are skilled personal injury attorneys who will aggressively fight for maximum recovery of damages for our clients’ injuries.
An initial consultation at Young, Simmons & Burt, LLC is always free. We do not charge any fee unless we recover money for you. For a full and comprehensive review of your case, please fill in the contact form above, or call us at 407-422-4000.