Property owners owe a duty to all visitors to keep their premises safe from all hazards. Additionally, premises owners must warn all visitors of potential hazards. When a property owner fails to keep their premises safe, visitors could sustain serious injuries such as broken bones, spinal damage, and head trauma.
If you or a loved were injured due to the negligent actions of a property owner, a Seminole premises liability lawyer could help your case. You could be eligible to recover compensation from a negligent property owner. Speak to a seasoned personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
Common Causes of Premises Liability Claims
A dangerous condition or hazard on a person’s property could result in a premises liability claim. Some common causes of a premises liability claim include:
- Wet or icy sidewalks
- Spilled food or drinks on a floor
- Poor lighting
- Broken banisters or stairs
- Structural defects
- Faulty scaffolding
- Unsecured roofing materials
- Empty swimming pools
An experienced Seminole premises liability lawyer could determine the exact cause of the accident and help prove the defendant’s negligence.
The Duty Owed to Visitors in Seminole
To recover monetary compensation on behalf of their clients, a Seminole premises liability lawyer must establish that a dangerous condition injured their client. However, a property owner will only owe that injured client a duty to protect them from hazards in certain situations. If a premises owner did not owe a person a duty at the time of an injury, they might not face any liability for the injuries sustained on their property.
There are three different types of visitors to a Seminole property, and each enjoys a different duty of care from the property owner. These types of visitors include invitees, licensees, and trespassers.
Invitees
A Seminole property owner owes the most significant duty of care to their invitees. An invitee is a person that enters the premises with permission, to benefit the landowner. In most cases, invitees are customers to a business. However, they may also include contractors or other workers invited to a private residence. A Seminole property owner owes these invitees a duty to ensure the property is safe from hazards.
Licensees
Licensees enjoy a lower duty of care compared to an invitee. This type of visitor enters a Seminole property with permission, but they do so for their benefit. The most common example of a licensee is a social visitor. Property owners owe licensees a duty to warn of hidden, dangerous hazards.
Trespassers
A trespasser is someone who enters a Seminole property without permission. Most of the time, the owner of the premises will not owe any duty to protect a trespasser. That does not mean a property owner may intentionally injure a trespasser, however. In many cases, it is not immediately clear whether a visitor was a trespasser or if they had permission to enter the property. A seasoned Seminole premises liability attorney could help prove that the plaintiff was on the property lawfully.
Reach Out to a Seminole Premises Liability Attorney
When accidents happen due to a dangerous hazard, the property owner could face liability for any injuries that occur. In many premises liability cases, these injuries can be severe. Compensation recovered through a premises liability lawsuit could help an injury victim get their life back on track.
If you have suffered an injury on a Seminole property, you might have a claim for damages. Contact a Seminole premises liability lawyer right away to schedule a free consultation.
