Tampa Slip & Fall Lawyer
A slip and fall accident occurs when a property owner fails to clean or correct a known hazard on their premises in a timely manner–and as a result, a visitor who is lawfully on the property slips (or trips) and sustains serious injuries.
Slip and fall accidents are often more serious than people realize. In a split second a person can go from feeling fine to sustaining a broken bone, displaced him, or even spinal cord or brain damage. And to add insult to these injuries, in most cases the slip and fall would never have happened but-for the negligence of the property owner. If this describes your own accident, our qualified Tampa slip & fall lawyer can help. At Florin Gray we represent all kinds of accident victims seeking compensation for their losses. Our team prides itself on client accessibility and our lawyers do all of the actual work on our personal injury cases.
Slip and Fall Liability Depends on the Victim’s Legal Status
Slip and fall claims are rooted in a legal principle known as premises liability. This principle holds that Tampa property owners are not automatically liable for any accident that may occur on their premises. Rather, it means that the property owner has a general duty to keep their property clear of hazards that might foreseeably injure an invitee. Such hazards can include anything from a slippery floor to a broken handrail in a stairway.
An “invitee” in legal terms refers to a person who is invited to remain on the premises as a member of the public. For example, if you are a customer shopping in a store, you are an invitee of the store owner. Property owners owe the highest duty of care under Florida law to invitees.
In some cases, a person may be classified as a “licensee” rather than an invitee. A licensee is someone who is still on the property legally but for their own convenience as opposed to that of the property owner. This would apply if you are on private property for some reason other than transacting business with the owner. Property owners have a lesser duty of care towards licensees than invitees yet can still be held responsible for slip and fall accidents that may harm a licensee.
A person who enters private property without license, invitation, or permission is a trespasser. Florida law generally does not hold property owners responsible for slip and fall accidents that injure trespassers, except in cases of “willful and wanton” injury. And if the owner discovers the trespasser, they have a duty to warn the trespasser of known dangerous conditions on the property that are not immediately obvious.
Don’t Delay, Call Florin Gray
When a property owner is liable for a slip and fall accident, the victim can recover a variety of damages, including compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Florida recently amended its laws governing all personal injury claims, including slip and fall accidents, so it is critical to seek out qualified legal advice before proceeding with a claim. If you need to speak with a skilled Tampa slip and fall accident lawyer, contact Florin Gray today to schedule a free consultation.
