Premises Liability

West Palm Beach residents do not expect to get hurt while shopping at the grocery store, browsing the aisles of their local home improvement store, or stepping into an office building. However, if customers slip on wet floors or are hit by falling goods or displays, they may suffer painful injuries. Under premises liability laws, property owners and store managers owe guests a duty of care to visitors at their establishment. If that duty is violated, it may lead to severe injuries.

People who are severely hurt when visiting a place of business should speak with a best West Palm Beach premises liability attorney. If you tripped or slipped and fell, or were hit by a falling object, you could be entitled to compensation if you were severely hurt.

For nearly 60 years, Wolfson & Leon has defended the rights of people hurt in West Palm Beach accidents. If you were gravely hurt in a motor vehicle crash, injured by a defective product, or hurt your back or neck in a slip and fall accident while shopping at the grocery store, our West Palm Beach premises liability lawyers work tirelessly to get the compensation you deserve for the harm you have suffered. With our free and confidential case evaluation, we walk through the specifics of your accident and let you know what possible legal remedies may be available when you have been hurt. You can speak with a West Palm Beach premises liability lawyer at Wolfson & Leon today by calling (561) 997-7558.

Under premises liability laws, property owners and managers must keep their property safe for visitors. When an owner or manager does not keep a safe environment, people may be hurt.

The most common premises liability claims result from slip and fall or trip and fall accidents. These accidents may happen in a supermarket, convenience store, office building, restaurant, shopping mall, or retail store.

Other premises liability accidents may be caused by:

• Falling signs, displays, or merchandise
• Potholes, hidden curbs, or cracked pavement in parking lots or outdoor walkways
• Stairwells with broken stairs or handrails
• Elevator entryways that don't line up with the exterior floor
• Wet walkways or slippery surfaces by hotel pools and hot tubs
• Fire, chemicals, or toxic fumes
• Hot liquids or plates served at restaurants
• Poor lighting in parking lots, walkways, or stairwells
• Injuries caused by escalators that stop short or with loose tracks or handrails that catch feet or hands

Despite being injured when visiting a store, restaurant, or another place of business, you may not necessarily have a premises liability claim. While property owners and operators have a duty of care to people visiting their establishment, the level depends on why you are on the property.

• People who are considered invitees have a legitimate reason for being on the property. Invitees include customers, clients, and repair technicians. To an invitee, the owner or operator owes the highest duty of care. This responsibility includes inspecting the property for hazards and taking reasonable steps to rectify the damage. Should the owner or manager not complete the repairs, they must notify the invitee of the potential danger. Under premises liability laws, property owners and managers should also inform invitees of any hidden dangers that they should have been aware of.
• A licensee may be on the property for other reasons. A licensee may be a salesperson who stops by or a family member visiting an employee. Property owners and managers owe a similar level of care concerning finding dangerous conditions by either repairing the damage or notifying the licensee of their existence.
• Therefore, a trespasser does not have permission to be onsite and is owed the lowest level of care. The owner should take steps to prevent wanton or willful injury. However, if the property has pools, playgrounds, or other items that might attract children, the owner should exercise reasonable care to prevent injury.

Depending on where you fall in the above classification, you must prove that:

• The owner or manager breached the duty of care they owed to you.
• The injuries were the result of this breach.
• You sustained economic damage.

Premises liability claims can be complex. If you were on the property as a shopper but were injured while using an employee-only restroom, your classification may change. If you were hurt in a strip mall parking lot, more than one party might be responsible for your injuries. Seeking the advice of a best West Palm Beach premises liability lawyer soon after your accident is critical when pursuing a claim.

Accident victims may also be contacted by lawyers or insurance companies offering a fast settlement. But if you don't know what compensation you could be entitled to, you may accept less of a settlement than is owed to you. You may find that your injuries are more extensive than the doctor's first expected during your recovery. Once you have accepted the offer, you could be out of luck because you cannot go back and ask for more.

At Wolfson & Leon, our West Palm Beach accident attorneys can evaluate the legal merits of your claim and let you know if you might have a case. We can answer questions about what kind of a settlement may be possible or what you can expect if you file a premises liability claim. Should you choose to pursue a legal claim, our West Palm Beach premises liability lawyers help you build a case, handle the administrative tasks, and work with the insurance company to negotiate a settlement on your behalf.

You may be thinking about filing a premises liability claim but are concerned that you can't afford legal representation. At Wolfson & Leon, our West Palm Beach accident lawyers do not charge you for their legal services unless your case is settled. When your case is settled, any fees for our legal services are paid out of your settlement. So, you can get the legal help you need without worrying about how you will pay for it.

When you have been badly hurt at a place of business, call Wolfson & Leon for help. There is no charge for your call to us, and you only pay legal fees when you settle. Learn how Wolfson & Leon can help you by calling (561) 997-7558 today.