No matter where the day takes us, we expect the places we visit to be safe and well maintained. When they aren’t, bad things can happen—bad things like serious, life-altering injuries.
The laws in Florida require property owners—from business owners, homeowners, and even the government—to keep their premises safe and free of hazards. When they don’t maintain a safe environment and someone gets hurt, victims can seek compensation to pay for things like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
But how do you know when to hire a premises liability attorney? To be honest, there is no clear-cut way to tell whether you need an attorney to pursue your case. Your claim could lead to an easy settlement if your injuries aren’t too severe. On the other hand, your claim could lead to a complicated process through which you might not get the compensation that you need to cover your expenses. If you are unsure, it can help to sit down with one for a consultation.
Until you have that conversation with an attorney, here are some things to think about if you are injured on someone else’s property.
Does My Case Require an investigation?
It might not be easy to discern whether your injury is the fault of the property owner. A premises liability attorney will thoroughly investigate what caused your injury by reviewing documents and evidence such as accident reports, photographs, surveillance video recordings, and medical files to find support for your case. They often also interview witnesses who were present at the scene, which can be an invaluable part of a successful case.
Is the Responsible Party Clearly Evident?
In some instances, the person who is responsible for your accident isn’t that clear. Do you pursue damages from the owner of a business or the landlord who provides the property? Is more than one party responsible? You may need to pursue more than one party to get full compensation. Having a premises liability attorney on your side can help you determine who is at fault.
Valuation and Negotiation
No two cases are exactly the same, but an attorney will be able to use the experiences they’ve had in similar cases to determine how much your settlement should be. When the time comes to negotiate, an attorney will draw on their expertise again to anticipate the other party’s argument and get you the best settlement possible.
Going to Court
Not all personal injury claims go to court, but when they do, it can help to have an established relationship with a premises liability attorney. When negotiations fail to get the desired outcome, litigation is your next option.
Need to Hire a Premises Liability Attorney?
If you’ve been hurt because of someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to contact Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law today. We’ll help you get through the process as painlessly as possible. Get in touch with us to set up a consultation.
