Some of the responsibilities of a property owner in a slip and fall case in the state of Florida vary depending on the type of visitor that experienced the injury. From a broad perspective, here are the basics for which any property owner should be responsible:
- Within reason, the property owner should do their best to ensure that any preventable dangerous conditions are neutralized.
- The property owner should always place a sign next to any known hazardous areas or block off the area so that visitors are sufficiently warned.
The responsibilities of a property owner may change depending on whether you are considered an invitee, a licensee, or a trespasser.
Invitees are owed the highest level of care. For you to be considered an invitee, you must have entered the property owner’s premises with their knowledge as well as for the mutual benefit of both parties. For example, if you are the customer at a store, you are considered an invitee.
If you’re considered an invitee, it is the responsibility of a property owner to provide you with a high level of care, and:
- Ensure that the property is safe for visitors.
- Warn visitors of any known dangers which cannot be fixed at the time of their visit.
- Rescue and provide support for any visitors who are injured while visiting the property.
- Only hire trusted independent contractors because the property owner can be held liable for their actions.
Licensees are generally defined as those who enter property with express or implied permission of the owner, and no business purposes are involved. Acquaintances who enter your residence (social guests) are usually considered licensees in this case.
A trespasser, on the other hand, is an individual who gains entry to a property without lawful right or consent of the owner for reasons such as curiosity, or other purposes.
No matter what kind of visitor you are, the property owner owes you a specific duty of care and safety. If you’ve been hurt in any type of slip and fall accident, call the personal injury lawyers at Shocklee Paolino to discuss the facts of your case with us. This consultation will be free, and we may be able to help file a claim or lawsuit on your behalf.
Proving your visitor status and the property owner’s negligence, is sometimes a matter of common sense but in many cases, it’s not so cut and dry. This is why it’s so important to hire a competent St. Petersburg slip and fall lawyer who has experience with these type of cases. You need a strong advocate on your side to help you get through the hurdles that are commonly encountered during trial.
Slip and fall accidents happen in a wide variety of ways. Here are just a few instances:
- Slipping on water or other liquid which was not cleaned up, marked, or blocked off.
- Escalator malfunctions leading to injury.
- Tripping over an obstruction and falling as a result of insufficient lighting, including in parking lots.
- Tripping and falling on a sidewalk or aisle due to improperly maintained floors.
What’s your next step when you know the responsibilities of a property owner are not being met?
It’s important for you as a the victim in the slip and fall case to take immediate action to ensure that you have the best chance at winning your case or securing a fair settlement. This can be through gathering evidence before the start of the trial, by speaking with witnesses and other patrons, taking photos of the scene, getting a court order to allow you to gain access to Closed Circuit Video footage of the premises, and asking the property owner to turn over repair logs and maintenance records. All of these things can be handled by an experienced accident injury attorney at Shocklee Paolino, and for no up front costs! We only get paid if we win your case.
If you have been injured in a St. Petersburg-area slip and fall accident, do not wait! In cases of premises liability, time is of the essence. The sooner you get your case started, the better your chances at a successful case. Get in touch with Shocklee Paolino today by calling (727) 498-8771