When you visit a store, a neighbor’s home, or a local park in our community, you have a right to expect that the property is reasonably safe. A sudden and unexpected injury caused by a hidden hazard can leave you feeling betrayed and unsure what to do next. If a property owner’s carelessness or negligence led to your injuries, you should not have to carry the financial and emotional burden alone. A dedicated Coral Springs premises liability attorney can help you understand your rights and pursue the accountability you deserve.
The moments after an injury can be confusing and filled with stress about medical bills and your family’s future. At the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein, we believe in providing clear guidance and compassionate support. We are here to listen to your story and help you find a path forward. Please reach out to our team for a no-cost, confidential consultation to discuss your situation.
Why Choose the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein for Your Premises Liability Claim?
Choosing a legal advocate after a serious injury is a significant decision. You need a team that not only understands Florida law but also understands what you and your family are going through. For over two decades, Cindy Goldstein has been a pillar of the Coral Springs community, building a reputation for providing personal, dedicated attention to every single client. She founded her firm on the principle that injured individuals deserve a powerful voice to stand up for them.
We approach every case with the determination and focus it deserves. Our firm is proud to offer services that reflect our commitment to our diverse South Florida community.
- Direct Attorney Involvement: Attorney Cindy Goldstein personally handles every case. She will be involved in managing your claim, from the initial investigation to fighting for the compensation you need.
- A Multilingual Team: We believe communication is key to a strong attorney-client relationship. Our staff speaks Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese, allowing us to connect with and serve clients from many different backgrounds in the language they are most comfortable with.
- Community-Focused Advocacy: As a longtime resident of the Coral Springs area and a member of the Florida Justice Association, Cindy Goldstein is deeply committed to upholding justice for her neighbors in Coral Springs and throughout Southern Florida.
Our firm has grown because of the trust our clients place in us, and we work tirelessly to honor that trust by pursuing positive results with integrity and compassion.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and managers responsible for injuries that happen on their property due to unsafe conditions. Think of it as a property owner's duty to keep their space from becoming a danger zone for lawful visitors. While many people associate it with a simple slip and fall, this area of law covers a much broader range of incidents where negligence creates a dangerous environment.
Common examples of situations that can lead to a premises liability claim include:
- Slips, Trips, and Falls: These can be caused by wet floors without warning signs, uneven or cracked pavement on a sidewalk, cluttered aisles or food left on the floor in a grocery store, or poorly lit stairwells.
- Inadequate Security: If a business in an area known for crime fails to provide adequate lighting, working locks, or security personnel, it may be responsible if a visitor is assaulted or robbed on its property.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: Property owners can be held liable for drownings or other injuries if a pool is not properly fenced or secured, especially when children are involved.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: Dog owners are strictly liable for injuries their dogs cause to another regardless of known propensity of viciousness. Other businesses or land owners who invite dog owners and their dogs may be held liable through common law negligence, if they know, or should know, could be dangerous to visitors.
- Structural Failures: Injuries caused by a collapsing deck, a faulty elevator or escalator, or a broken staircase or handrail can all fall under premises liability.
In many each of these situations, the central issue is whether the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to people lawfully on their property.
At its core, premises liability law is about accountability. It establishes that individuals and companies who own or control a property, whether it’s a large shopping center near the Sawgrass Expressway or a quiet apartment complex, have an obligation to maintain it.
When they fail to fix a known hazard or warn people about a danger they should have known about, and someone gets hurt as a result, they may be financially responsible for the resulting harm. This includes paying for medical treatment, lost income, and the personal suffering the victim has endured.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Coral Springs, Florida, Premises Liability Case?
Identifying the responsible party in a premises liability case is a critical first step. It is not always as simple as blaming the person whose name is on the property title. Several different individuals or entities could be legally responsible, or "liable," for the conditions that caused your injury.
An experienced Coral Springs premises liability attorney can investigate the circumstances of your accident to determine who failed in their duty to keep you safe.
The potentially liable parties can include:
- Property Owners: This includes individuals who own a home, a vacant lot, or a commercial building.
- Business Owners: A business that rents or leases a space, such as a restaurant, grocery store, or retail shop, is often responsible for the safety of the areas they control.
- Property Management Companies: Many apartment complexes, condominium associations, and commercial centers hire outside companies to handle day-to-day operations and maintenance, including safety inspections and repairs.
- Government Entities: If your injury occurred on public property, such as a city park, a public sidewalk, or inside a government building, a municipal or state agency could be held responsible.
In some situations, more than one party may share the responsibility for your injuries. For example, both a retail store and the owner of the shopping plaza may be liable for a fall caused by a poorly maintained parking lot, depending on who had the duty to properly maintain that lot.
Categories of Visitors and Property Owner Duties
Florida law clarifies a property owner's responsibility by categorizing visitors into three distinct groups. The duty of care a property owner owes you depends entirely on which category you fall into. Understanding this distinction is fundamental to any premises liability claim.
- Invitees: An invitee is someone who is on the property for the property owner's benefit or for a purpose for which the property is open to the public. This includes customers in a store, diners in a restaurant, or clients visiting an office. Property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. They must regularly inspect the property for hidden dangers, repair any known hazards, and warn visitors of any dangers that cannot be immediately fixed.
- Licensees: A licensee is a social guest who is on the property for their own convenience or pleasure with the owner’s permission. This includes friends or family visiting your home. The property owner has a duty to warn a licensee of any known dangers that the guest is unlikely to discover on their own. However, they generally do not have a duty to actively inspect the property for unknown hazards.
- Trespassers: A trespasser is someone who enters a property without any legal right or permission from the owner. Generally, a property owner does not owe a duty to keep their property safe for an unknown trespasser. The primary obligation is to refrain from intentionally harming them. An important exception to this rule exists for children, under a legal principle known as the "attractive nuisance" doctrine.
These classifications can be complex, but they are crucial for establishing the property owner's legal responsibility in your case. A knowledgeable attorney can help determine your visitor status and what level of care you were owed.
Compensation Available in a Premises Liability CLAIM
A serious injury can disrupt your life in countless ways, creating physical, emotional, and financial hardships. A premises liability claim is designed to provide compensation, known as "damages," to help you recover from these losses and restore a sense of stability. The goal is to make the injured person whole again, at least from a financial standpoint. In Florida, you may be able to pursue compensation for a variety of damages.
These damages are typically broken down into two main categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages: These are the tangible, out-of-pocket financial losses you have incurred because of your injury. They can be calculated by adding up bills and receipts.
- All past and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages and income from being unable to work.
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or working at all.
- Costs for home modifications or assistive medical devices.
Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate you for the significant, non-financial ways the injury has impacted your life. While they do not come with a price tag, their impact is very real.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
In tragic cases where an accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their own unique losses, including loss of companionship and financial support. Every case is different, and the value of your claim will depend on the specific circumstances of your injury and its effect on your life.
Coral Springs Premises Liability FAQs
After an injury, it is natural to have many questions. Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from our clients.
What if I was partially at fault for my own accident?
Florida follows a law of modified comparative negligence, as outlined in Florida Statutes § 768.8 and HB837. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for your accident, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your total compensation award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies often try to shift as much blame as possible onto the victim, which is why having a strong legal advocate is so important.
How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit in Florida?
In Florida, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, has recently changed. For accidents occurring on or after March 24, 2023, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit based on negligence. For incidents before that date, the limit is four years. It is critical to act quickly. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
What if I were injured at the home of a friend or family member?
This is a very sensitive situation, but it is important to remember that a claim is typically made against the person’s homeowner’s insurance policy, not against them personally. These policies exist specifically to cover these types of accidents. You should not have to suffer financially because you are hesitant to create an awkward situation. A compassionate premises liability lawyer in Coral Springs can handle the matter professionally to help preserve your personal relationship while still protecting your financial future.
Contact Our Trusted Coral Springs Premises Liability Lawyers Today
You should not have to face a serious injury alone. When a property owner’s negligence turns your world upside down, the compassionate and dedicated team at the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein is here to help you pick up the pieces. We understand the challenges you are facing and are prepared to stand by your side, fighting for the justice and financial recovery you need to move forward.
As a member of the Florida Justice Association, Cindy Goldstein is committed to protecting the rights of injury victims. Let us handle the legal details so you can focus on what matters most: your health and your family. We are ready to put our experience to work for you.
When you work with our firm, we will:
- Conduct a complete investigation into your accident to secure crucial evidence.
- Handle all communications with insurance companies and defense attorneys.
- Calculate the value of your damages, provide legal advice as to the estimated value of your case upon settlement, and attempt to negotiate or otherwise resolve your case in your favor.
- Provide clear, honest communication and personal attention throughout your case.
Your recovery is our priority. Contact the Law Firm of Cindy Goldstein today at (954) 346-5420 or through our contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us listen to your story and explain how our Coral Springs premises liability attorneys can help you.
CALL 1-844-4LADYLAW or (954) 346-5420
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