Negligent Security Lawyers in St. Petersburg

Whether you have a case or not will mainly hinge on who is responsible for the fire that harmed you. If you caused the fire, it is unlikely that you could sue and recover compensation. However, if a person, business, or other entity, irresponsibly caused the fire that led to your injury and damages, you could have a case.

Speaking to a fire injury lawyer can provide clarity. One of our experienced attorneys can determine whether you have a case and could recover damages from the responsible party or their insurance company.

If the fire that caused your injuries happened due to neglect of your rental property, you could potentially sue for damages. Landlords are generally responsible for maintaining rental properties and keeping them in reasonably good condition. Unfortunately, in some cases, landlords put profits before the safety of their tenants. 

However, if your landlord breached their duty to maintain the building you live in, and their carelessness led to a fire, you could potentially sue for damages. You may have an even better case if you can provide proof of contacting your landlord about the hazardous condition on the property. If the landlord did nothing to fix the problem despite being alerted to it, they could be negligent. 

If you work with the right law firm, the cost of a fire injury lawyer should not come into play when you are looking to get justice and compensation. Morgan & Morgan’s attorneys do not charge any upfront fees in fire injury cases. Instead, they recover their fee from your final settlement if—and only if—they win your case. When we agree to handle your case, we take the financial risk, so you don’t have to.

There is no one-fits-all when it comes to how long a personal injury claim or lawsuit can take. The amount of time it could take until you can hold a settlement check in your hands can depend on several factors, including:

• The scope of your damages and injuries
• The complexity of the case
• The defendant or their insurance’s willingness to settle

Generally, if you only have minor or moderate injuries and the other side is willing to offer a fair out-of-court settlement, your case could be resolved in just a few short weeks. 

However, if you have suffered catastrophic or life-changing injuries and a lot of money is at stake, your case could potentially drag on in the courts for years. Having an experienced fire injury lawyer by your side can help with a timely resolution of your case.

Injured individuals are able to file a lawsuit on their own and even represent themselves in court if they wish. However, consider that fire injury lawsuits can be complex, and the defendant’s lawyer could take advantage of a plaintiff without professional legal counsel. 

A fire injury lawyer can do much more than represent you in court and coordinate your lawsuit. They can help with filing and tracking your injury claim and negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement with an insurance company and defendant. Moreover, a fire injury lawyer from our firm can call on a team of experienced investigators and expert witnesses, helping to build your case. 

In addition, a fire injury attorney can be by your side and help with a number of tasks, such as:

• Thoroughly investigating the fire accident
• Identifying all liable parties in your case
• Filing the relevant documents on time
• Collecting evidence to prove negligence
• Calculating and proving your damages 

Working with a seasoned fire injury attorney can be vital for protecting your legal rights and best interests.

Fire injuries can have physical, emotional, and financial consequences impacting the rest of your life. Before trying to recover your due on your own and potentially settling for less than you deserve and need to go on with your life, let us help clarify your options and next best steps. 

You do not have to worry about incurring any financial risks or having to pay any out-of-pocket costs for a fire injury attorney at Morgan & Morgan. We work on a “no-win-no-fee” basis, and you don’t pay unless we win. Find out if you have a case today by contacting us for a free and confidential case review.

No, negligent security lawsuits can target anyone who owes you a duty of care but fail to do so, leading to injuries. For example, a security company that hires untrained and unlicensed security officers can be held liable for negligence if someone gets injured or even dies due to negligence on the part of the security agency.

No, that is not how the concept of negligent security works. This is because many different factors come into play when determining whether the property owner was liable for your injuries.

For example, you should expect the defense to question your presence at the property. This is because you may not have a valid case if you were at the property illegally. In these cases, the plaintiff's presence at the defendant's property can be described in three ways:

Invitee

Being an invitee means you are expected to be at the property, usually through a contract with the property owner. For example, if you are a tenant, you are your landlord's property as an invitee.

Licensee

A licensee is an individual who has no relationship with the property owner but is still allowed, either expressly or implicitly, to visit the property. For example, your guests are considered licensees when visiting you at your rental property. Therefore, the landlord might owe them a duty of care but only to a certain degree (because they are your guests).

Trespasser

If you are a trespasser at someone's property, they owe you the least duty of care.

Contrary to popular opinion, just because you are a trespasser at a property does not necessarily mean that the property owner does not owe you a duty of care. For example, if the property owner is aware that you trespassed their property but still allows you to stay, your status at the property could change from 'trespasser' to “licensee.”

In addition, trespassing laws do not apply to children in this context. If your child has been injured at someone's property due to the property owner's lack of sufficient security, even if they were there illegally, you can sue the property owner.

Property owners may be responsible for your injuries because they owe you a “duty of care.” This means they must ensure that their properties are safe. That said, the property owner can only protect you from “foreseeable dangers.”

Simple put, when danger is described as foreseeable, it means it could have been avoided with the right measures. This is the whole point of filing a negligent security lawsuit—to sue individuals who knew or should have known about potential danger but failed to do anything about it.

A foreseeable danger is anything that creates the opportunity for a crime or an accident. For example, a business might be a prime target for robbers if it operates until late. The same applies if the business deals with precious goods or commodities such as jewelry—you expect the business owners to provide security.

Danger can also be foreseeable if there is evidence of similar dangers in that area in the recent past. For example, if a neighborhood is known to have high crime cases, a robbery at a neighborhood's gas station is considered foreseeable.

One of the best ways to prevent negligence, as far as security is concerned, is to keep track of foreseeable dangers. Precisely, the property owner should:

• Warn visitors of foreseeable dangers at the property
• Respond promptly to potential dangers
• Provide sufficient lighting
• Boost security after criminal incidents in or around the property

If they fail to take these or other similar measures, you may be able to hold them responsible for negligent security.

Negligent security cases are not the easiest to handle, especially given that the defendant has numerous options to defend themselves. Remember, when you file a lawsuit or claim, you must prove negligence. Unfortunately, most people do not realize that tiny details, such as the exact spot the injury occurred, could influence the trajectory of the case.

Negligent security attorneys understand what it takes to prove negligence in these cases. This is because they have dealt with numerous cases in the past and know how to navigate the complex legal system.

Another thing you need to know is that your definition of negligence may not necessarily align with the legal definition of the same term. The same applies to liability; just because you were injured at someone's property does not mean the owner is liable.

Many different factors come into play when determining liability. Without an attorney, you will likely have a rough time determining who is responsible for your injuries.

In addition, negligence security is often subject to further debate. This means that there is no one-fits-all approach to these cases. What counts as negligence in one case might not be the same in a different case.

For this reason, it is important to consult individuals who understand how these cases work, what the local laws say about your particular situation, and, most importantly, how to ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.

Perhaps, one of the clearest reasons to contact an attorney is because the other party will likely have their legal team fighting for them. If the defendant knows the importance of hiring a lawyer, so should you.

St. Petersburg is home to many personal injury law firms and attorneys. But, with so many options to choose from, you will need to be even more thorough. This is because these cases rarely have second chances. If you choose the wrong legal team, you could lose the case and the chance to secure the compensation you need to deal with the injuries you or your loved one sustained.

That said, here are some important things to look for in such an attorney:

Experience: Look for an attorney with experience handling such kinds of cases. At Morgan and Morgan, we have been serving clients from coast to coast for more than three decades. For this reason, you can count on us when you need an experienced attorney to fight for you.

Track record: You need an attorney with a solid track record of winning such cases. That is exactly what you get when you contact Morgan and Morgan for a free case evaluation. But you should not take our word for it; check out our most recent results on this page.

Reputation: An attorney or law firm with a good reputation is better positioned to provide the best legal representation to help you win your case. Reading their reviews is one of the best ways of finding out what other people are saying about that attorney or law firm.

For example, Morgan and Morgan has over 25,000 5-star reviews on Google and over 1,500 positive reviews on SiteJabber.

Resources: Many injury victims underestimate the importance of hiring a personal injury law firm or attorney with powerful legal resources. When you hire an attorney with powerful resources to fight for you, they will likely conduct thorough investigations to prove your case and maximize your claim.

At Morgan and Morgan, we are the country's largest personal injury law firm. For this reason, our attorneys are uniquely equipped with everything they need to investigate your case, separate facts from fiction, and fight back against bullish insurance companies.

Negligent security falls under premises liability laws, a subcategory of personal injury. In St. Petersburg, FL, you have up to four years from the date of the injury to file a claim.

If you file a lawsuit outside the statute of limitations, the court will not allow you to proceed with the case. Once the statute of limitations expires, you lose your right to sue the other party for your injuries.

This also explains why it is always advisable to contact an attorney immediately after the incident. Four years seems like a lot of time on paper, but it is not.

Personal injury cases can take months and sometimes even years to build. The attorney might need to interview experts, collect evidence, conduct legal research, and other key actions. It is even worse if your case is complicated.

For instance, if more than one party is responsible for your injuries, the investigations could take even longer.

Remember, the goal here is not just to win. Rather, you want to win the kind of settlement that will make you feel “whole,” not worse than before. If your attorney does not have enough time to build a strong case, the amount of compensation you may be able to recover might not reflect the true value of your case.

Morgan and Morgan negligent security attorneys can:

• Review your case to determine whether it is valid
• Review the evidence against the other party and strengthen it if necessary
• Identify the individuals or entities responsible for your injuries
• Fill out important paperwork on your behalf
• Help you receive the medical treatment you need
• Negotiate a reasonable settlement with the other party
• File a negligent security lawsuit if necessary

To get started, all you need to do is fill out our free case evaluation form. One of our legal representatives will review your case to determine whether it is valid. If valid, they will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Morgan and Morgan, we charge our clients on a contingency basis. This means they do not pay us anything unless we win. If we win, we will deduct a small percentage of the settlement to cover attorney and legal fees.

Morgan and Morgan negligent security lawyers in St. Petersburg are ready to fight for you and your loved one. You can contact us any day, anytime, when you need to communicate with someone who actually cares about your pain and can help you get some form of compensation for your losses.

If you are ready to hold the other party accountable for their negligence, tell us about your case to get started. One of our legal representatives will review your case and get in touch to discuss the next steps. And if you have a valid claim, this could be the beginning of your journey to compensation.

According to the American Burn Association (ABA), a staggering 486,000 individuals are treated for burn injuries in emergency departments and hospitals every year in the US. Burn injuries do not only affect the skin but can also severely damage the respiratory system, bones, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Moreover, serious burn injuries can be detrimental to the mental health of victims and cause long term psychological disorders. 

Smoke Inhalation

Fire does not have to burn a person to severely injure or kill them. Smoke inhalation alone kills more than 3,000 Americans each year, according to the ABA. Most of those affected perish in residential fires, followed by motor vehicle crash fires and other causes. 

Types of Burns 

Burn injuries are classified by degrees. First-degree burns are minor fire injuries that typically do not require any medical treatments. A second degree burn usually damages the upper two layers of skin and will need medical treatment. Blisters, swelling, and infections can be common with second-degree burns. Third-degree burns do not only affect several layers of skin but can also damage nerves and potentially result in loss of movement and numbness in the affected limbs.

Fire injuries can be extremely painful and life-limiting and potentially cause a variety of other health issues, including but not limited to: 

• Sepsis and other bacterial infections 
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Low blood volume
• Breathing difficulties
• Skin tightening
• Depression and anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Getting hurt in a fire can turn your entire life upside down due to horrific physical injuries and having to deal with a stack of medical bills. While a fire injury lawyer at Morgan & Morgan cannot turn back the time and restore your health, they can potentially help you get justice and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life. 

Fires and burns injuries can happen almost anywhere, including in your own home. Some examples of fire injury lawsuits include:

• Apartment building fires
• Motor vehicle crash fires
• Electric cord fires
• Fires due to lighting or appliance malfunctions
• Entertainment venue fires
• Cruise ship fires
• Hotel fires
• Workplace fires
• Fires caused by defective products

Individuals injured in fires could have legal recourse against an employer, landlord, or another responsible party. 

House and Apartment Building Fires

Apartment and house fires cause many fire injuries every year. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), those most at risk from suffering fire injuries are the elderly and the disabled, with the top causes for fires including:

• Candles
• Cooking
• Electrical faults
• Heating equipment
• Smoking

While fires can be caused by tenants, a landlord could be responsible, for example, when a faulty appliance, defective heating, or outdated electrical wiring caused the fire. If you notice anything untoward in your rented home, such as flickering lights, burning smells, defective appliances, or another maintenance issue, contact your landlord immediately. 

Landlords Could Be Responsible

If your landlord’s carelessness or recklessness is responsible for your fire injury, you could hold them responsible for your damages and expenses. However, to prove your case, the following four elements of a personal injury lawsuit have to be established:

1. Duty of Care

The landlord or manager of the rental property has the duty to keep a property safe, reasonably well-maintained, and free of hazardous conditions. 

2. Breach of Duty

The landlord might have breached their duty if they did not maintain the property to a good standard, such as neglecting to fix outdated wiring or failing to replace defective appliances. 

3. Causation 

The breach of duty by the landlord or property manager caused the fire and your injuries. 

4. Damages

You have tangible damages such as injuries, medical bills, property loss, and others.

Causes for Apartment and House Fires

A landlord could be responsible for tenants’ damages if the following problems, as well as others, lead to a fire: 

• Building code violations
• Defective or outdated wiring
• Lack of fire alarms or defective alarms
• Blocked fire exits
• Pest infestations
• Lack of fire extinguishers or defective fire extinguishers
• Defective sprinkler system

Moreover, if a landlord failed to adhere to federal and state laws or safety regulations such as installing fireproof doors or providing adequate fire escapes, they could also be responsible for tenants’ damages. 

Workplace Fire Accidents 

Workplaces can be hazardous. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), workplace fires account for approximately 5,000 burn injuries each year in the US. However, injuries can be caused by a variety of substances other than an open flame at work, such as thermal, electrical, and chemical burns.

Workers’ Compensation

The first place where an injured worker typically turns when they suffer a significant burn injury is workers’ compensation insurance. If you were injured at work, you are entitled to medical and income loss benefits with the program. However, workers’ comp, while offering reimbursement for a worker’s financial expenses, does not offer compensation for any non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, or loss of life quality.

It is important to note that if you got injured at work due to the fault of another, such as a subcontractor, property owner, or another party, you could potentially recover non-economic damages in a lawsuit. If you suffered significant injuries, you could have several options for recovering compensation. Consult with an attorney to learn about your rights. You can rest assured: there is no upfront cost when hiring one of our fire injury lawyers. 

Motor Vehicle Fire Injuries

Car fires can happen for various reasons, such as a vehicle manufacturing defect or a fuel tank catching fire during an accident. If you suffered severe burn injuries or a loved one died in a car fire, you could potentially hold the negligent party to account. There could be various liable parties, such as a car manufacturer or another driver causing the crash.  

Most car crashes are caused by driver error and negligence, including but not limited to: 

• Driver intoxication
• Tailgating
• Speeding
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals
• Violating traffic laws
• Distracted driving

If someone else is responsible for causing your car fire and injuries, a burns injury lawyer can help you hold them to account.

Compensation for Fire Injuries

It can be tricky to accurately predict the settlement or compensation you could recover with a fire injury lawsuit. The factors determining the worth of your case can include the scope of your injuries, the degree of fault of the defendant, and other circumstances. 

However, since burn injuries can be excruciatingly painful and often have long-term consequences, such as permanent scarring, victims could be entitled to a considerable settlement. Damages could include:

• Loss of income and future income
• Present and future medical expenses
• Physical and emotional suffering
• Transportation costs
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Reduced life quality

If the defendant maliciously caused your injuries, for example, by arson or another egregious act, you could potentially receive punitive damages in addition to compensatory awards.