When Personal Injuries Happen In Other People’s Homes
Dinner parties, game nights, holiday celebrations, and other events are often held in the homes of friends, family members, co-workers, or acquaintances. When personal injuries happen during your visit, you may be wondering how to get compensation. Our Naples premises liability lawyer explains more about the risks and what to do in this situation.
Personal Injuries Often Occur In And Around The Home
The home is one of the most common places for personal injuries to happen. According to the National Safety Council, close to 50 million people are injured in home-related accidents each year, while close to 150,000 other victims die as a result of their injuries. Among the most common ways these accidents happen include:
- Slips, trips, and falls: These can occur due to slippery floors, damaged flooring materials, excess clutter in hallways, uneven sidewalks, and lack of proper lighting.
- Getting struck by or against objects: Low-hanging tree branches outdoors and interior hazards, such as overstuffed closets, improperly attached light fixtures, unsecured shelving, or wall-mounted televisions, can all pose serious personal injury risks.
- Fires, burns, and electrocutions: Some of the most common causes of household injuries, these can occur due to uncontrolled open flames, hot foods or other surfaces, and faulty wiring.
- Motor vehicle accidents: These can happen on unmaintained private roads and due to shrubs and other obstacles that block your view when pulling out of someone’s driveway.
What To Do When Personal Injuries Happen At Someone’s Home
Under the Florida Statutes, property owners have a legal duty to properly maintain the premises and warn visitors of potential hazards that could put them at risk. Failure to do so could leave them liable for personal injuries that occur as a result. This applies not only to store, restaurant, office buildings, or other public property owners, but to homeowners and apartment dwellers as well. In this situation, it is important to take action to protect yourself and your rights in a claim:
- Inform the property owner immediately;
- Notify the police or other authorities so that an accident report can be filed;
- Record important details surrounding the incident and contact information for witnesses;
- Get the name and contact information for the property owner’s insurance;
- Seek medical attention immediately, regardless of the severity of your symptoms.
Filing a premises liability claim against someone you know can be awkward. However, it is important to be aware that property insurance they have in place can help cover your expenses, without them having to pay out-of-pocket. If they rent or own a condo, the property owner or manager may be liable as well.
Contact Our Naples Premises Liability Lawyers Today
Injuries that occur on a friend’s or a family member’s property can leave you facing major medical costs and other expenses. Property insurance they have in place can help offset your losses. To discuss your rights in filing a claim, contact Cardinal Law, P.A. Request a consultation with our Naples premises liability lawyers today.
Sources:
injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/home-and-community-overview/introduction/
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/Sections/0768.075.html
