Monroe County Premises Liability Lawyer

Monroe County Premises Liability Attorney

While most people don’t think about it, accidents are common and can happen anywhere. For those injured on someone else’s property, a Monroe County premises liability lawyer can help you determine whether you can open a case under Florida law.

No matter the type of property, owners have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions for invited guests and lawful visitors. When accidents happen, they can lead to life-altering injuries for the victim and a burden of medical expenses. You deserve to seek justice for your trauma. While a settlement cannot take away what happened, it can help ease your burden.

Monroe County Premises Liability Attorney

Here at the Law Office of Alexander Alvarez, our focus is on helping individuals and families who have been hurt through another party’s negligence, including unsafe property. In 2023, there were 500 premises liability cases opened in Monroe County.

Founded in 2000 by Attorney Alexander Alvarez in Miami, our firm’s team has over 30 years of legal experience. Attorney Alvarez has received various professional honors, including an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, recognition as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, and a Superb rating on Avvo. We offer free consultations to injured victims throughout Florida.

Florida Premises Liability Laws

Premises liability can encompass a wide variety of property types and incidents. Detailed in Florida Statutes Chapter 768, property owners must take reasonable steps to maintain their premises and protect visitors from foreseeable harm. This includes regular inspections, repairs, and adequate warning of hazards.

The types of property can be a private residence, parking lots, restaurants or bars, coffee shops, shopping centers, workplaces, construction sites, and many more.

The types of accidents that can occur in premises cases can vary widely. They can include slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, structural hazards, broken property, and falling merchandise or equipment. The emergency room at 5900 College Road often sees these types of cases, as premises liability incidents can include a wide variety of injuries.

Damages Recoverable in Premises Liability Cases

There are a few types of compensation that can be pursued in your claim, depending on the unique circumstances of your incident. This can include:

• Medical expenses. You can request money for any medical costs caused by your injury. In Florida, only actual amounts paid, reasonable future costs, or standard rates such as Medicare amounts can be included in your claim. As of 2023, 15.2% of Monroe County residents didn’t have health insurance, making this type of compensation valuable to many.
• Lost income. If you missed work while healing from your injury, you may be able to recover the money you didn’t earn at work. Furthermore, if your injury affects your ability to work long-term or forces you to take a lower-paying job, you can ask for future lost income as well.
• Pain and suffering. This covers physical pain, emotional distress, and changes to your daily life. If you’re unable to live as you once did, those losses may count as pain and suffering.
• Property damage. If any of your belongings were damaged during the incident, you can request money to replace or repair those items. These can be items such as your phone, glasses, or bag.
• Scarring and disfigurement. Having a stark physical reminder of your trauma can be incredibly overwhelming for survivors of accidents. This type of damage claim focuses on how the injury affects your self-esteem or quality of life.

To pursue a successful claim, the injured party must prove that the property owner owed a legal duty based on the visitor’s status, they breached that duty by failing to keep the premises reasonably safe, the unsafe condition directly caused their injury, and their injury led to damages such as medical costs or lost wages. In these cases, the circuit court, located at 500 Whitehead Street in Key West, will typically oversee legal proceedings.

Why Choose Us?

Attorney Alexander Alvarez brings over three decades of legal experience to every case. His prior work defending hospitals and insurance providers gives him valuable knowledge of how the opposition operates. Because of our local ties to the community, we’re passionate about protecting everyday people and helping them pursue justice.

We offer free consultations to victims who want to understand their legal rights. We prioritize a personal legal experience, knowing how intensely emotionally painful personal injury cases can be for our clients. Let us handle the legal side of things so you can focus on recovery.

FAQs

How Do I Prove Property Owner Negligence?

To prove property owner negligence in Monroe County, you must have strong evidence. This can be gathered by you and your lawyer, and can include witness statements, photographs of the property, surveillance footage, maintenance logs, expert testimony, and medical records. It’s vital to hire a premises liability lawyer to understand the intricacies of your unique case.

What Is Florida’s Negligence Law?

Florida’s modified comparative negligence law can reduce a victim’s final settlement amount based on their percentage of fault for the accident. For example, if a property owner’s staircase was broken, but the victim was texting while walking on the stairs, and fell, they could be found 20% at fault for the fall and only receive 80% of the final settlement amount.

How Much Do Attorneys Charge for Premises Liability Cases?

In most premises liability cases, an attorney will work on a contingency fee basis, rather than an hourly rate. This means that they’ll only receive payment upon a successful win, taking a percentage of the final settlement amount. This percentage can vary based on your case’s complexity and the experience of your attorney. Our team offers transparent pricing expectations so you’re never caught off guard by payment.

How Long Do I Have to File My Claim in Florida?

Florida recently changed their laws surrounding claim filing. As of 2023, you have two years from the date of your injury to open a premises liability claim. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation. While this timeline might seem long, the time it takes to gather evidence and file various documents with the court can take a while.

Next Steps After a Premises Injury

If you were injured on someone else’s property in Monroe County, contact the Law Office of Alexander Alvarez. Our firm handles a wide range of premises liability cases throughout South Florida and understands the complexity of Florida’s personal injury laws. Schedule your free consultation today to understand the extent of your legal options.

Monroe County Premises Liability Resources:

• How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Florida?
• How Construction Firms Can Limit Their Risk of Defect Lawsuits
• What Can You Do To Help Someone Who Slips and Falls?
• Settling Premises Liability Claims in Monroe County