Injured on Someone's Property? Fort Myers Personal Injury Attorney Reveals Your Rights
Property injuries can turn your life upside down in an instant. One moment you're visiting a store, walking through a parking lot, or attending a social gathering - the next, you're dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and insurance companies that seem more interested in protecting their bottom line than helping you recover.
Insurance companies know most people don't understand premises liability law. They count on your confusion to offer inadequate settlements or deny valid claims entirely. Don't let them take advantage of your situation. When property owners fail to maintain safe conditions and someone gets hurt, Florida law says they should be held accountable.
Understanding Premises Liability in Fort Myers
Property owners have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe for visitors. When they fail to do so and someone gets hurt, that's where premises liability law comes into play. We've handled these cases for 30 years, and we know exactly what it takes to prove a property owner's negligence.
What is premises liability?
Premises liability means property owners must maintain reasonably safe conditions for people who visit their property. This isn't just about obvious dangers - it covers everything from wet floors and broken steps to inadequate lighting and unsecured swimming pools.
The level of care a property owner owes you depends on why you were there:
Invitees (customers in stores, clients at businesses) get the highest protection. Property owners must regularly inspect their property and fix dangerous conditions or warn you about them.
Licensees (social guests, friends visiting) are owed reasonable care about known hazards.
Trespassers receive minimal protection, though property owners can't deliberately set traps to harm anyone.
Understanding your visitor status matters because it affects what we can recover for you in a premises liability claim.
Common examples of property-related injuries
Slip and fall accidents are the most common premises liability cases we see in Fort Myers. The statistics are staggering - falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits annually, representing 21.3% of total visits. Slip and fall accidents specifically account for over 1 million visits or approximately 12% of total falls.
How Can We Help You?
We handle all types of property injury cases:
Slip & Fall Accidents
Swimming Pool Accidents
Inadequate Security Cases
Dog Bites & Attacks
Parking Lot Injuries
Store Injuries from Falling Merchandise
Elevator and Escalator Accidents
Why location matters: Fort Myers legal context
Fort Myers operates under specific Florida premises liability laws that can make or break your case. Florida Statute Chapter 768 Section 0755 addresses "transitory foreign substances in a business environment" - basically spills and temporary hazards.
Here's what changed recently: March 2023 brought significant changes with House Bill (HB) 837, which altered Florida's negligence laws. Now, if you're found more than 50% responsible for your injuries, you cannot recover compensation from the property owner. This makes strong legal representation more critical than ever.
Fort Myers' tropical climate creates unique challenges too. Frequent rain, high humidity, and rapid mold growth can make properties dangerous if owners don't maintain them properly. We understand these local factors and how they affect your case. Unlike attorneys from other regions, we know exactly what evidence to look for and how Southwest Florida's climate impacts property maintenance responsibilities.
Your Legal Rights After an Injury on Someone's Property
You have more rights than most property owners and their insurance companies want you to know about. Florida law protects people who get hurt because someone else failed to keep their property safe. Understanding these rights puts you in control of your situation instead of letting others decide what you deserve.
What You Can Recover After a Property Accident
When someone else's negligence causes your injury, you shouldn't have to pay the price. Florida law allows you to seek compensation for:
All medical expenses - from emergency room visits to ongoing therapy
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you can't work
Pain and suffering - the physical and emotional impact on your life
Property damage like damaged clothing or personal items
Rehabilitation costs to help you recover and adapt
Time matters more than you might think. Florida gives you exactly two years from your accident date to file a claim. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to compensation forever. We've seen too many good people wait too long and lose out on the money they deserved.
Property Owner Responsibilities You Should Know About
Property owners can't just put up a "Not Responsible for Accidents" sign and walk away. Florida law requires them to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. How much care they owe you depends on why you were there:
Business customers get the strongest protection. Store owners, restaurant managers, and other businesses must regularly check for dangers and fix problems or warn you about them.
Social guests are owed reasonable care about hazards the property owner knows about.
Even trespassers have some protection - property owners can't deliberately hurt people or set dangerous traps.
When Property Owner Carelessness Becomes Your Legal Case
Property accidents don't just happen - they happen because someone didn't do their job. To hold them accountable, we need to show four things:
They had a duty to keep you safe
They failed in that duty
Their failure directly caused your accident
You suffered real harm because of it
Broken lighting in parking lots, wet floors without warning signs, cracked sidewalks that haven't been repaired - these aren't just accidents waiting to happen. When property owners know about dangers and do nothing, that's negligence. We know how to find the evidence that proves they knew or should have known about the problem that hurt you.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. We'll review your situation and explain exactly what rights you have under Florida law.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Fort Myers
Time matters more than most people realize after a property accident. We've seen too many cases where waiting cost clients thousands of dollars in compensation - or worse, their right to compensation entirely.
Signs You Need Legal Help
Call us immediately if any of these situations apply to your case:
You've suffered severe or permanent injuries like broken bones, brain injuries, or injuries requiring surgery
The property owner or their insurance company denies responsibility
Your case involves complex legal issues like inadequate security, swimming pool accidents, or dog bites
Insurance representatives are attempting to record your statements or asking you to sign medical releases
You're receiving lowball settlement offers
You're approaching Florida's two-year statute of limitations
If you have been injured in an accident and need a lawyer, call Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
Don't let insurance adjusters pressure you into quick settlements. They know most people don't understand the true value of their claims. Once you sign that release, there's no going back.
How We Can Help You Right Now
Unlike large firms that shuffle cases between different attorneys, you'll work directly with our dedicated team. We handle every aspect of your case personally:
Analyzing your case thoroughly and choosing the best approach
Filing proper paperwork within required deadlines
Gathering evidence including medical records, police reports, and witness statements
Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies
Taking your case to trial if necessary
What Happens During Your Free Consultation
When you meet with us, we'll sit down together and really listen to what happened. No rushing, no pressure, no junior associates handling your case.
We'll evaluate your case details and explain your legal options
You'll discuss how the injury occurred and review any evidence you've collected
Most attorneys work on contingency—meaning no upfront fees—you only pay if they win your case
According to studies, injury victims who hire attorneys receive 3.5 times more compensation than those who don't
We understand that being injured in an accident can have a major impact on your life, and our team is ready to fight for you. You are more than just another case number at our firm.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship with Pittman Law Firm, P.L.