What is Premises Liability Law?
Premises Liability Law in Orlando: Protecting Your Rights After an Injury
Premises liability law holds property owners accountable when someone is injured due to dangerous or defective conditions on their property. In Florida, this applies to both residential and commercial properties, including short-term rental homes, hotels, and vacation properties in Orlando. Premises liability cases are typically based on negligence, where the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment or failed to warn visitors about hazards.
The key principle of premises liability is that property owners must ensure their property is reasonably safe for guests, whether invited or not. This responsibility extends to keeping the premises free from harmful conditions and providing proper warnings when dangers exist. Premises liability cases can arise from a variety of situations, including defective pool gates, poor lighting, lack of security, and unsafe staircases, among others.
Common Premises Liability Case Examples
Premises liability cases can involve a wide range of incidents, including:
Defective stairs or staircases
Electric shocks or electrocution
Defective sidewalks
Dog bites or animal attacks
Falling objects or ceiling collapses
Fire safety violations
Inadequate lighting
Accidents in supermarkets, department stores, or short-term rental properties
If you’ve been injured due to a hazardous condition on someone’s property, including a short-term rental in Orlando, you may have grounds for a premises liability case. Don’t hesitate to contact Simmons Law Group for a consultation.
Common Premises Liability Injuries
Premises liability cases can result in serious injuries, often with long-term consequences. Some common injuries from premises liability accidents include:
Broken bones
Electric shocks
Burns
Spinal cord injuries
Head injuries (including brain damage)
Paralysis
Scarring and disfigurement
Death
Even if your injury isn’t listed above, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a premises liability case. If you’ve suffered harm due to unsafe conditions, Simmons Law Group is here to help you pursue justice.
Who Can Recover for Premises Liability?
In Florida, who can recover for premises liability and under what conditions depends on the status of the visitor on the property. Visitors are generally classified as:
Invitees: Those invited onto the property for business or social purposes (e.g., customers, family members). Property owners owe invitees a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe.
Licensees: Individuals invited onto the property for personal reasons (e.g., social guests, salespeople). Property owners owe them a duty to warn about dangerous conditions that the owner is aware of but the visitor may not be.
Trespassers: Individuals who are not invited onto the property. Property owners generally owe trespassers a duty to avoid causing harm through intentional actions, but the duty is lower than for invitees or licensees.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property in Orlando, Simmons Law Group can help determine your status and whether you have a claim based on the conditions of the property.
Who is Responsible for Premises Liability?
Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe for authorized visitors. In the case of short-term rentals in Orlando, this includes ensuring proper maintenance and security to prevent accidents, such as drowning incidents in pools or slip and fall accidents. Property owners can be held liable for injuries caused by hazards they knew about or should have known about.
In some cases, liability can be shared between the injured party and the property owner, especially if the injured person was partially responsible for their own safety. Florida follows a comparative fault system, meaning that the damages you can recover may be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the injury.
What Happens if Someone is Injured on My Property?
If someone is injured on your property, whether they are an invitee, licensee, or trespasser, they may file a personal injury lawsuit against you. As a property owner, you are required to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition. If you fail to do so, you may be held liable for any accidents that occur due to unsafe conditions.
If you are unsure about your responsibilities or have been contacted by someone injured on your property, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney. Simmons Law Group can help you understand your legal obligations and ensure you are properly protected.
How Does a Premises Liability Case Work?
In a premises liability case, the injured party must prove that:
The property owner was negligent in maintaining the property
The injury was caused by a hazardous condition the owner knew about or should have known about
The injury was significant and caused harm to the plaintiff
If the defendant’s negligence contributed to the injury, the injured party can pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. An experienced premises liability attorney from Simmons Law Group can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Simmons Law Group?
At Simmons Law Group, our experienced attorneys specialize in premises liability cases, including accidents in short-term rentals and vacation properties. We have the knowledge, resources, and commitment to help you secure the compensation you deserve after a property-related injury. Whether you’ve been injured in a pool accident, a slip and fall, or due to negligent security, we’re here to fight for your rights.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn how we can help you pursue justice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility property owners have to ensure their property is safe for visitors. In Orlando, where many visitors stay in short-term rental homes, this law holds property owners accountable for any injuries that occur due to unsafe conditions, such as poorly maintained pool gates, faulty security, or hazardous walkways. If you’re injured at a short-term rental, you may be entitled to compensation if the owner’s negligence contributed to the accident.
Injuries in premises liability cases can vary, but common examples include:
Slip and fall accidents
Drowning or near-drowning incidents
Electric shocks or burns from defective appliances
Dog bites or attacks
Injuries due to lack of security or inadequate lighting
If you’ve been injured due to unsafe conditions at a short-term rental property, Simmons Law Group can help you determine if you have a premises liability case.
Yes, if you are a victim of crime due to negligent security, you may be able to hold the property owner accountable. If the property owner failed to provide adequate security measures, such as proper lighting, locks, or surveillance, and you were injured or victimized as a result, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. An attorney at Simmons Law Group can help assess the situation and determine if negligence played a role in the crime.
To determine if you have a premises liability case, the key factors include whether the property owner was negligent in maintaining the property, whether the hazardous condition was foreseeable, and whether the injury occurred because of that negligence. If you’ve been injured in a short-term rental property, Simmons Law Group can help you evaluate the circumstances of your case and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
The Simmons Law Group has over 15 years of experience handling personal injury cases, including those involving rental properties and Airbnb. We can investigate the circumstances of your injury, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, represent you in court. Our goal is to help you secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury.
