Usually, weather is not a very exciting topic, but today it is all that residents of New England have to talk about. Maine and other parts of the east coast have been hit with freezing temperatures and even snow. Florida is seeing thunderstorms and showers. Some forecasters are predicting that some Northern parts of Florida may be affected by cold temperatures or even freezing before the system moves out.
Snow and rain may be part of spring in various parts of the country, but Florida property owners need to be aware that weather conditions can lead to Florida premises liability claims. Each year, Florida attorneys see legal claims launched after someone is injured in a slip and fall accident or other accident on a property that is not properly maintained.
The truth is, Florida has a number of weather features that create the possibility of accidents and personal injury. Fog, rain, and showers are not uncommon in the region. Florida is not even a stranger to snow. The mid-1970s saw a number of cold snaps and even snowy conditions in 1977. Some Florida residents saw snow on Christmas day in 1989. While Southern Florida attorneys and their clients rarely have to put up with snow, all extreme weather conditions can create dangerous conditions that lead to accidents.
Florida property owners need to be aware of the weather and need to act to ensure that their properties are safe for home dwellers and for visitors. While homeowners are certainly not expected to control the weather or react instantly to bad weather, known hazards on a property can easily lead to a premises liability claim in bad weather.
If a property owner knows about a poorly lit walk, a leaky roof, or other problem and fails to fix it, bad weather can lead to serious problems. Not maintaining a property or not taking reasonable steps to prevent accidents can lead to a claim, and owners need to be aware that claims are more likely to be made after poor weather. For example, if a roof gable has been leaky for some time it may create puddles on a sidewalk after a rain. If a visitor slips and falls on a sidewalk and can prove that the owner knew about the gable but refused to fix it, that injured party can be entitled to damages under the law.
When weather is not as pleasant as we would like, it is important to take extra precautions to stay safe. If you are a property owner, you have a duty to ensure that tenants and visitors to your property are safe. If you are a tenant or visitor, you have every right to expect a safe environment – no matter what the weather. If you have been injured as a result of a property owner’s negligence, call the experienced Florida lawyers at Flaxman & Lopez today. Call 1- 800-535-2962 (1 800 5 FLAXMAN) to arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.