First responders often walk into unsafe situations without hesitation. When an injury happens on someone else’s property, a first responder may be able to pursue a personal injury claim separate from workers’ compensation benefits. If you have been hurt in an accident on private property, contact Bichler & Longo, PLLC to discuss first responder premises liability claims in Florida. The legal choices you make following an injury can affect your income and recovery options.
Premises liability arises when someone is injured by unsafe conditions on private property, like slippery floors, broken stairs, poor lighting, uneven pavement, and unsecured hazards. Many premises liability claims stem from first responders responding to calls at apartment complexes, businesses, government buildings, or private homes.
Not only are property owners not allowed to ignore safety, but they have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. A personal injury claim makes sense when that duty is ignored and an injury happens, and a worker may be able to pursue both a personal injury claim and workers’ compensation at the same time.
Workers’ compensation benefits are often the first-sought resource after an on-the-job injury, and can pay for medical treatment and a percentage of the worker’s lost wages. However, workers’ compensation does not cover all expenses and damages. Pain, suffering, and the full impact of an injury on daily life are not part of workers’ compensation. Premises liability claims can fill in the gap for injured first responders in Florida. A personal injury claim can be filed if a third party caused or contributed to the unsafe condition, which is completely separate from the workers’ compensation system.
A first responder does not have to choose between filing a premises liability claim and applying for workers’ compensation benefits. We can help you pursue both simultaneously. Workers’ compensation will usually pay benefits first, and if an injury settlement or verdict is later reached, certain reimbursements may apply
A third party is someone other than the employer who may be legally responsible for the injury. Property owners may face premises liability claims when first responders are injured on property they do not own or control. Examples of third parties include:
A personal injury claim can provide compensation that workers’ compensation does not address, which seeks to recognize the real impact that the property hazard had on the Florida first responder. Common damages include:
Injured first responders deserve strong advocacy and property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions should be held accountable. When workers’ compensation alone is not enough, a personal injury claim can provide the additional support needed to move forward. At Bichler & Longo, PLLC, we handle first responder premises liability claims in Florida, with the goal of protecting benefits and pursuing accountability.