Miami premises liability attorneys Tag Archives

October 20, 2023

Florida Theme Parks and Premises Liability

Florida has arguably the highest density of amusement parks of anywhere in the world. With so many thrills in a relatively small geographic area, accidents are bound to happen sometimes. Of course, people choose amusement parks over sources of excitement that occur in more natural settings for a reason. One can reasonably expect to lounge by a lagoon at a theme park without getting picked off by an alligator, but all bets are off if you are lounging by a naturally occurring lagoon on public land, much as paying admission to walk through a Halloween haunted house attraction is supposed to be less dangerous than venturing into a bona fide abandoned building at your own risk. Theme parks are supposed to create the illusion of danger while, in fact, delivering a safe experience. When preventable accidents at theme parks result in death or serious injury, the theme park is legally responsible. If you have been injured in a preventable accident at a theme park, contact a Miami premises liability lawyer.

Notable Premises Liability Cases Involving Theme Parks

Premises liability laws hold that when a customer gets injured at a place of business, the customer has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the business owner and to seek damages for medical expenses and lost income related to the accidental injury. These are some notable premises liability cases filed against theme parks in Florida:

January 27, 2021

Triple Shooting in Miami: FAQs on Liability and Legal Issues

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding an early morning shooting that killed one man and injured two more at a local food market. According to an article in the Miami Herald, police received a report of shots fired in Miami’s Liberty Square neighborhood. Officers arrived at the neighborhood convenience store to find two injured men, one of whom died before EMTs arrived. Minutes later, officials received word that another individual – believed to be connected to the shooting – had arrived at a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound.

As details emerge on the causes and contributing factors behind the incident, victims and surviving family members may wonder about their legal rights regarding the shooting. If you were involved in a similar situation, you might also be considering your options. A Miami negligent security attorney can provide specifics, but answers to frequently asked questions about criminal activity on property may be helpful.

Do I Have Options Beyond Pressing Charges? While you may get closure through the criminal process, a conviction and jail time will not compensate you for your losses as a victim. Instead, you need to go through the civil lawsuit process to obtain damages for your medical costs, pain and suffering and other implications. Suing in civil court is separate from the criminal case in which the government is the plaintiff.

October 30, 2020

Do Premises Liability Laws Apply to Fatal Shooting in South Florida Parking Lot?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Two assailants will face multiple criminal charges after a robbery and assault led to the shooting death of a 23-year-old man in South Florida. The Miami Herald provided some details in an October 19, 2020 article, reporting that surveillance cameras at a Walgreens captured the details of the incident. The video footage shows that the victim and a teenaged companion were inside the store when a motorist entered the parking lot and strategically positioned his vehicle with a view to the victim’s car. As the pair inside the store exited and walked to their own vehicle, two assailants emerged from their car and assaulted the victim and teenager. One suspect shot the victim, and both perpetrators fled the scene.

Law enforcement continues to investigate and will pursue criminal charges against the suspects, but the victim’s surviving family members may also have legal remedies under Florida law. A Miami personal injury attorney can explain how the concepts of premises liability and wrongful death apply in such a case, but an overview may also be helpful.

Comparing Florida Premises Liability and Wrongful Death Laws

June 5, 2020

What is “Constructive Notice” in a Miami Slip and Fall Accident?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

While often referred to as “slip and fall” accidents, the nature of your legal rights falls under the category of premises liability if you were hurt in such an incident. As with many other personal injury claims, the basis of these claims is negligence. You can recover compensation if you can prove that a property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition on the premises, and that person or entity failed to address it – either by fixing the hazard or warning others.

However, the language “knew or should have known” often confuses people in terms of proving the essential elements of a premises liability case. In short, the phrase relates to a property owner having notice of the dangerous condition. The legal details are much more complicated, which is why you should trust a Miami slip and fall accidents attorney to assist with your case. Some general information may also be helpful.

The “Notice” Requirement

May 1, 2020

Do Not Make Your Miami Slip and Fall Accident Claim Worse

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident or other incident that occurred because of dangerous conditions on property, you probably know that you have options under Florida law. It is possible to recover compensation for your losses, either through an insurance claim or in court. However, you may not understand the legal nuances and subtleties involved with these claims, which fall under the concept of premises liability.

As a result, if you try to represent yourself, you are more likely to make mistakes in the immediate aftermath and later on in the legal process. Ultimately, your claim may be denied or you will be forced to accept a lowball amount to settle it. You can avoid the first, most crucial error by retaining a Miami premises liability lawyer right away. In the meantime, keep in mind the following points so you do not hurt your chances of receiving full compensation.

Not Getting Evidence from the Scene: If you are physically able on account of your injuries, collect as much information as possible at the exact location of the slip and fall accident. Take pictures and video with your cell phone, get contact information from witnesses, and make sure to note the presence of any surveillance video cameras.

December 25, 2019

Common Law Versus Statutory Duties of Miami Property Owners

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When you are hurt because of dangerous conditions on property, you may have legal options to recover compensation under the theory of premises liability. In general, this legal concept imposes a duty on owners to keep the property in a reasonably safe condition for those who enter upon it. If they breach this duty, they can be liable to pay monetary damages to an injured victim. The main issue in many premises liability cases is what acts or omissions would constitute a breach of duty.

At times, the breach may be a result of general negligence, but an accident may also occur because a property owner violated a law. The distinction matters, and a Miami premises liability attorney can explain why. You might also benefit from reviewing some of the basics regarding common law and statutory duties of property owners.

Legal Basis for Injuries on Dangerous Property

September 26, 2019

Notice in Florida Premises Liability Cases

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you were hurt because of dangerous conditions on property, your claim falls under a theory called premises liability in Florida. By proving certain facts, you can recover monetary damages for your injuries, including your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and many other losses. While each element of a premises liability case is equally important, the issue of notice or knowledge of the hazard is one of the most disputed. A property or business owner can use this element to fight your claim, in which case you may not recover any compensation. A Miami premises liability attorney can describe the key legal issues, but you may find it useful to check out the overview below.

Basic Elements of a Premises Liability Case

To succeed in a claim for premises liability, you must prove that:

July 22, 2019

Negligent Security can Lead to Severe Injuries for Florida Victims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Chances are that you know what a “slip and fall” accident is, but you may not be familiar with the legal concept behind it. In Florida, these cases are based upon premises liability, which imposes a duty upon property owners to keep their spaces reasonably safe for others. The duty applies to stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, office complexes, theme parks, and many other types of businesses. When those in control of these spaces fail in their legal obligation, a guest or visitor may slip and fall – hence the colloquial term for these claims.

However, there are many other ways a property owner may fail in the duty to maintain safe premises. For instance, the responsible party may not take proper measures to provide security. You can trust a Florida premises liability attorney to provide personalized information regarding your circumstances, but it may help to review some answers to frequently asked questions about negligent security.

What does “negligent security” mean?