Tampa Premises Liability Lawyer

Accidents can take place virtually anywhere, from a neighbor’s house in Tampa Heights to a grocery store near Virginia Park. However your accident arises, if it resulted in injuries and was caused by negligence, recklessness, or the intentional wrongdoing of another party, you deserve compensation. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are here to help you get this due compensation. Our experienced Tampa premises liability lawyer is here to help you protect your rights.

Protect Your Rights with Ronald Bone, P.A. 

Since 1997, Ronald Bone, P.A., has helped thousands of clients across Florida recover the compensation they deserve. We have over 30 years of trial experience and work diligently to get results.

We are AV-rated, the highest Martindale Hubbell rating currently achievable, and have been designated as Client Champion Silver. We are proud to bring this level of excellence to every case we are entrusted with. However, recognition and past results are not a guarantee of future results; selection criteria vary by organization. We believe that our successes make us the right legal champion for you and your family. 

Types of Premises Liability Cases in Tampa

Before you identify the nature of your premises liability accident, it is important to understand how Florida law applies to your case. Property owners in the Sunshine State can have varying degrees of liability depending on how a victim of an accident is classified. The three classifications for visitors to a property in Florida include:

• Invitees. These individuals are any customers, guests, or tenants who are legally on the property at the time of their accident. Property owners and managers owe the highest duty of care to these individuals. 
• Licensees. This group of people is counted as any social guests who enter a property with the permission of the owner. It is required in these cases that the owner warn licensees of any dangerous conditions on the property. 
• Trespassers. These are the individuals who enter a property without permission. In most situations, a property owner does not owe them any duty of care, except in special circumstances such as when a child trespasses under the doctrine of “attractive nuisance.”

There are a variety of premises liability cases that can occur in Tampa, on practically any type of property. The most common premises liability accidents include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents. Slip-and-fall accidents make up 35 percent of all premises liability claims. When an individual slips and falls due to wet flooring, missing or torn carpeting, slick or uneven surfaces, or because of missing handrails or guardrails, it can result in serious injuries. These accidents typically take place at shopping malls, grocery stores, hotels and resorts, and bars or restaurants. 
• Swimming pool accidents. One way many Floridians beat the heat is by having a swimming pool. Whether the pool is residential or commercial, unsafe conditions on these sites can lead to horrific injuries and even death-by-drowning. Common swimming pool hazards include a lack of supervision or lifeguards, defective pool drains that cause suction and entrapment, and pools unsecured by fencing. 
• Negligent security. Property owners need to provide proper security to prevent foreseeable crimes. When a property is negligently secured, assaults can take place in parking lots, and cases can involve hotel or apartment break-ins, failure to properly screen employees, and inadequate lighting in public spaces.
• Animal attacks. In Florida, animal owners are held liable when their pet attacks someone and causes injury. 
• Falling object accidents. When shelving units are poorly maintained, there are unsecured construction materials or unstable fixtures, which can lead to falling object accidents. These accidents typically take place in home improvement stores, big-box retailers, and warehouses or distribution centers. 

If you were injured because a property owner or manager did not address a dangerous condition on their property, the attorneys at Ronald Bone, P.A., are here to hold them accountable for the damages you have suffered.

How Liability Is Determined in Florida

In Florida, there are several elements that need to be legally established in order to demonstrate a property owner or manager’s liability for your injuries. These elements include:

• Duty of care. This is the very foundation of your liability claim, and you must be able to show that the property owner owed you a very specific duty of care. This duty of care will depend on your status as a visitor to the property, such as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. 
• Breach of duty. Once you have established a duty of care, you can then prove that the property owner breached their duty by failing to provide you with safe enforcement. This can include negligent maintenance issues such as uneven flooring or missing handrails, inadequate security, or a dangerous condition on the property that was not reasonably addressed or warned about. 
• Causation. You will then need to demonstrate a direct link between your injuries and the breach of duty conducted by the property owner or manager. In plainer terms, you need to show that the unsafe property condition directly caused your injuries.
• Damages. Finally, it is essential that you can prove you suffered physical injuries, property damage, and/or emotional damages as a result of the incident. 

In premises liability cases, proving these elements can be difficult and will require the knowledge and experience of a personal injury attorney. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are here to help you gather evidence, prove liability, and pursue compensation. 

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

In the United States, the average median payout for premises liability cases is around $200,000. In Florida, you are legally able to seek several different types of damages when injured in a premises liability accident. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we can review your case and determine which damages you may be able to recover, including:

• Medical costs. Your attorney can account for all expenses related to your injuries, including all hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy needs, and ongoing care that may be required so that you are able to fully recover. 
• Lost wages. We can calculate the income you have lost while taking time off to recover, and can determine any reduced earning capacity you experience if the injury causes you to be unable to return to work long-term. 
• Physical pain and emotional suffering. This can include any compensation for the physical pain and discomfort, diminished quality of life, and emotional distress you experience due to the accident and your resulting injuries. This can include any limitations placed on your daily activities, ongoing emotional challenges, and physical challenges suffered. 
• Property damage. This can account for the reimbursement you are owed for any forms of personal property that have been damaged or destroyed in the accident. This can include clothing, electronic devices, and other similar items. 

FAQs

Q: Why Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer?

A: Hiring a premises liability lawyer can offer you a significant improvement in your chances of recovering compensation. Your attorney is there to gather evidence to support your claim, speak with eyewitnesses, identify cause and liability, and handle all negotiations regarding your compensation. If negotiations are not successful, the team at Ronald Bone, P.A., can take your case to trial. 

Q: Who Can Be Held Liable for a Premises Liability Case in Florida?

A: In a premises liability case in Florida, the party who can be held liable will depend on the circumstances of your accident. The most common parties held liable, however, include property owners or landlords, maintenance companies or contractors, business managers or operators, and security personnel. Determining who to hold liable will be one of the major roles of your attorney. 

Q: What Injuries Occur in a Premises Liability Case?

A: The victim of a premises liability case can suffer a wide range of injuries, depending on what caused their accident. The most common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries such as concussions, spinal cord damage, cuts, bruises, and lacerations, infections from serious dog bites, and even death. In fact, the United States experiences roughly 223,000 deaths from preventable accidents every year. 

Q: What Should You Do Following a Premises Liability Accident?

A: Following a premises liability accident, there are certain steps that you should take if you are physically capable of doing so. First, it is essential that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you do not feel injured, you may be suffering an invisible injury. You then need to report the accident to the property owner or manager, take photos or videos of the dangerous condition that caused your accident, and speak with a lawyer. 

Talk to a
Lawyer Before
It’s Too Late

Contact Us Today

Hire a Premises Liability Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has suffered injury on the property of another, you may be able to recover compensation. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we know that accidents can have a massive impact on both the victim and their families, and we are here to help you in whatever way we can.

When you hire a premises liability lawyer from our firm, you gain confidence knowing you have the right people on your side. Contact our St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay offices today to schedule your initial consultation.