Melbourne, Florida · Serving clients statewide

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Michael P. Sapourn, JD, CIC, CRM
Insurer & Agent Disputes

Premises Liability Accident Claims

The short answer

If you were hurt because a property owner failed to fix or warn about a dangerous condition, the owner's liability insurance may cover your injuries. Michael Sapourn spent 23 years advising businesses and contractors on liability exposures and knows the standard of care owners are expected to meet.

The owner’s duty to keep you safe

Most business and property owners carry liability insurance for accidents caused by dangerous conditions on their premises. The central question in a premises liability claim is whether the owner owed you a duty to keep you reasonably safe, and whether they breached it. Examples include:

  • A grocery store knows about a slippery floor and does nothing. The resulting slip and fall may support a claim.
  • A homeowner or condominium association has a swimming pool without adequate safety measures to protect toddlers, or without proper supervision or safe diving equipment.
  • A construction site is inherently dangerous, and the general contractor has a duty to protect the public, especially children, from open holes, blasting, falling debris and other hazards.

Act quickly

Take action promptly. Vital evidence can be lost, and Florida law limits how long you have to file a claim after an injury. Premises liability cases may allow recovery for pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses, and surviving family members may have claims if a loved one died.

Experience with liability insurance

Mr. Sapourn spent 23 years consulting with businesses and contractors about their liability insurance exposures, often recommending loss control measures to prevent exactly these claims. He knows the standard of care expected of owners and contractors and can help you evaluate the strength of your claim.

Frequently asked questions

What makes a premises liability claim valid?

Generally, the owner must have owed you a duty to keep you reasonably safe, breached that duty by failing to address or warn about a dangerous condition, and that breach caused your injury.

How soon should I act?

Promptly. Evidence such as the condition itself, video footage and witness memories disappears quickly, and Florida law sets deadlines for filing claims that were shortened in recent years.

What damages can be recovered?

Depending on the case, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and in the case of a death, damages for surviving family members.

Free consultation

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Talk to a lawyer who knows how insurers think.

Tell Mike what happened with your claim or your agent. The first consultation is free, and you will speak with him directly.