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When you’re hurt on someone else’s property, the fallout is immediate: medical bills, time off work, and a lot of uncertainty. Property owners and their insurers move fast to limit what they pay. You need a plan that moves faster. At Levin Litigation, our Hollywood premises liability lawyers step in early to secure evidence, set the strategy, and protect your right to pursue compensation.
We handle claims involving unsafe stores, apartment complexes, parking lots, hotels, and more. From the first call, you’ll know where your case stands, what comes next, and what we’re doing to move it forward. If you’re ready to discuss your options, we’re ready to listen and help you take the next step.
What Is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is an area of law focused on holding property owners and those in control of property responsible for keeping their spaces safe. When they fail to fix hazards or warn visitors about dangerous conditions, and someone is injured as a result, the injured person may have a right to seek compensation. This can include things like a wet floor left unmarked, a broken stair, poor lighting, or any other unsafe condition that could have been reasonably prevented.
People who are lawfully on the property, such as customers, tenants, delivery drivers, or invited guests, can usually bring a claim if the owner or occupier didn’t take proper care. Trespassers generally cannot, though there are exceptions, particularly in the case of children who wander onto property after being drawn to a dangerous feature, like an unfenced pool.
Common Types of Hollywood Premises Liability Accidents
Hollywood’s busy retail centers, beachfront areas, hotels, and apartment communities see a wide range of preventable incidents. The most common include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Liquids on grocery aisles, restaurant floors, and hotel lobbies create slick surfaces when staff don’t clean promptly or post warning signs. Wax buildup, rain tracked inside, and leaks near coolers can make floors unexpectedly hazardous.
- Trip-and-fall hazards: Cracked sidewalks, uneven pavers, curled mats, exposed cords, or poorly maintained stairs often catch a toe and cause hard falls. Dim or flickering lighting magnifies these risks in parking lots, stairwells, and hallways.
- Falling merchandise and objects: Overloaded shelves, improperly stacked inventory, or unsecured displays can send items onto shoppers below. In stockrooms and big-box stores, overhead storage without restraints poses a serious threat.
- Unsafe stairs, balconies, and railings: Loose handrails, rotten balcony boards, missing anti-slip treads, and code violations in multi‑unit housing can lead to catastrophic falls. These defects are especially dangerous for children and older adults.
- Pool and spa incidents: Slippery decks, missing “No Diving” or depth markers, faulty gates or latches, and noncompliant drains create high risks. In hotels and apartment complexes, the lack of supervision or ignored safety rules can contribute to near-drownings and other injuries.
- Inadequate security: Broken door locks, dark parking lots, blind spots without cameras, or ignored prior incidents can enable assaults, robberies, or other crimes in hotels, bars, and apartment buildings. Security lapses may support a negligent security claim.
- Accessibility failures: Poorly maintained ramps, missing handrails, blocked accessible routes, or uneven thresholds can injure visitors who rely on mobility aids. These barriers also make it harder to exit safely during emergencies.
- Hazards to children: Children are drawn to pools, construction sites, and other “attractive” dangers. Unsecured areas, open trenches, and unfenced bodies of water can lead to severe injuries when owners don’t take basic precautions.
No matter where it happened, whether on the Broadwalk, in a shopping plaza, or at a rental property, documenting the scene and reporting the incident right away can make a real difference in your claim.
How Fault Is Proven After an Accident
To win a premises liability claim, you must show the owner or person in control knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to fix it or warn you. Because proof can fade quickly, a focused evidence plan helps establish what happened and who is responsible.
Key evidence that often proves fault includes:
- Photos and videos taken immediately after the incident to capture spills, damaged flooring, poor lighting, missing wet‑floor signs, or broken railings.
- Surveillance footage from interior cameras, exterior cameras, and nearby businesses.
- Incident reports prepared by staff or security.
- Maintenance and inspection records, including cleaning schedules, work orders, and repair logs showing how long a hazard existed and whether it was addressed.
- Prior complaints or notice records indicating employees or management were aware of similar issues in the same area.
- Medical records that tie your injuries to the event and track the seriousness of your symptoms and treatment.
In addition to the above evidence, witness statements can also add important context that clarifies key details regarding what occurred.
Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
A premises liability claim aims to make you financially whole for losses caused by unsafe property conditions. This generally includes medical expenses, such as ER visits, imaging, surgery, hospital stays, follow‑up care, physical therapy, and medications. If you need future treatment, like injections or additional surgeries, those costs can also be included.
In some cases, an injury will require you to miss work while you recover. When this happens, you may also be able to pursue compensation for the income you would otherwise have earned. If you can continue to work but your injuries limit the kind of work you can do, compensation for the loss of earning capacity may also be a part of your claim.
Finally, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, loss of mobility, and loss of enjoyment of daily activities. When injuries affect a spouse or family, claims for loss of support or services may apply as well. Property damage, such as broken glasses, phones, or mobility devices, should be documented and included.
How Our Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyers Can Help
Premises liability cases are rarely simple. Determining who is responsible, preserving crucial evidence, and navigating insurance and legal deadlines can be overwhelming—especially while you’re focused on recovering from an injury. At Levin Litigation, we help ensure nothing is missed and that your claim is positioned for the best possible outcome.
We focus on the key actions that make a real difference in building a strong case, including:
- Investigating and photographing the scene to document hazards and conditions
- Interviewing witnesses while memories are fresh
- Securing maintenance records, inspection reports, and other relevant documents
- Demanding preservation of surveillance footage before it is erased
Our attorneys also manage all communication with insurers, identify every party who may be responsible, and make sure evidence and deadlines are handled correctly. With our local Hollywood lawyers guiding you at every step, you can avoid common pitfalls, understand your options clearly, and pursue fair compensation without added stress.
What to Do After a Premises Liability Accident in Hollywood
After an injury on someone else’s property, taking the right steps quickly can protect your health and your claim:
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report.
- Photograph the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area; include poor lighting or cameras if relevant.
- Collect names and contact information of witnesses and employees you spoke with.
- Seek prompt medical care and follow all treatment recommendations—your health comes first.
- Preserve physical evidence, like damaged shoes or clothing, without washing it.
- Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media.
Finally, contact an attorney as soon as possible to understand your rights and discuss your next steps.
Hollywood Premises Liability Lawyer: FAQs
How long do I have to file a premises liability lawsuit?
In many Florida negligence cases, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file suit. Some claims against government entities have shorter deadlines and special notice rules, so acting quickly is important.
Can I still file a claim if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Often, yes. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault; your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. If you are more than 50% responsible, recovery is barred in most negligence cases. This makes early evidence collection crucial to avoid unfair blame.
How much does a premises liability attorney cost?
Our premises liability attorneys work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay no fees unless there’s a recovery. Fees are a percentage of the settlement or verdict, and any potential case costs (like experts or records) are discussed upfront.
How long will my case take?
Timelines vary. Straightforward injury claims may resolve in a few months once you finish medical treatment and we can fully value your damages. Cases with disputed liability, multiple parties, serious injuries, or litigation typically take longer. We keep pressure on insurers while building the strongest file possible, and we’ll update you at each key stage.
Do you have a premises liability lawyer near me?
Yes. Our office is located at 6100 Hollywood Blvd, Ste 520, just off Florida’s Turnpike and South State Road 7, and we serve clients throughout Hollywood and Broward County.
Get in Touch With a Trusted Premises Liability Attorney in Hollywood
If a property hazard in Hollywood left you injured, you don’t have to sort the process alone. The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can secure video, preserve maintenance logs, and identify every party that may be responsible. We will review your medical needs, calculate your losses, and handle the insurer so you can focus on recovery.
A brief conversation can clarify your options and next steps. Bring any photos, witness names, or paperwork you already have. If you don’t have them yet, don’t worry, we’ll help you track them down. If you’re ready to move forward, contact our team of premises liability lawyers in Hollywood to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to answer your questions, explain the process in plain language, and help you pursue maximum compensation.