As the State of Florida re-opens following the mandatory stay at home orders issued because of Covid-19, residents and visitors alike may be tempted to rush out to their favorite stores to shop. If you are among them, stay alert to the various hazards that could cause injury. Covid-19 remains a potential threat; however, so do a wide range of other potentially dangerous situations related to the virus and the re-opening. If you find yourself injured as a result of an accident at a business, the business owner may be held liable for the physical and emotional injuries you suffered based on the legal theory known as “premises liability.” At Bailey Fisher we are acutely aware of the heightened dangers the Covid-19 virus has imposed on all of us. Nevertheless, when a business fails to keep visitors safe, we are committed to holding them responsible and aggressively pursuing full and fair compensation for injured victims.
Why Is Visiting a Business More Dangerous Now?
Although the State of Florida is well into the process of re-opening non-essential businesses, that does not mean that the threat posed by Covid-19 has disappeared. Consequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for shoppers, diners, and other visitors to commercial establishments that include:
- Wearing a mask that covers your mouth and nose
- Staying 6 feet apart from others
- Avoid touching your face
- Wash your hands often
- Use hand sanitizer when possible
As restaurants, beauty salons, and other businesses try and implement the recommended guidelines, both employees and visitors to the establishments are often unsure of the proper protocol and procedures. That uncertainty can, in and of itself, create confusion that may lead to an accident. If the business owner’s negligence contributed to that accident, the injured victim may be entitled to compensation in a premises liability lawsuit.
Hazards You May Encounter at a Business
Under the best of circumstances, thousands of people are injured every year in restaurant, hotel, and supermarket accidents. During the less than ideal circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, there is a heightened risk of injury. Shoppers are rushing through stores in the hope of finding scarce items, often while frightened they will come into contact with the virus. Employees are trying to keep shelves stocked while simultaneously sanitizing stores. Rules and procedures are subject to change on a daily basis, causing increased confusion and sometimes hostility. All of these conditions increase the likelihood of an accident.
When Is a Business Liable for Your Injuries?
A business owner is required, under the doctrine of premises liability, to keep the property in a safe condition at all times. The owner must also provide notice of any known dangers on the premises when that danger cannot be repaired or removed immediately and can even be liable for hazardous conditions of which they were unaware but of which they should have known.
What if I am Exposed to the Coronavirus at a Commercial Business?
Although commercial businesses should be taking reasonable precautions to prevent patrons from being exposed to the Coronavirus, and should be implementing good sanitary protocols, it is up to you to exercise good judgment and protect yourself. Bailey Fisher will not represent clients for claims that they contracted the virus because of the negligence of a business or other public or private gathering place, both as a matter of choice and because such claims would be impossible to prove as a practical matter. Proving that exposure to the virus occurred at a given location, and that infection occurred in a particular way, presents practical and usually insurmountable problems in establishing legal causation that we believe would prevent the successful prosecution of such claims.
Get Help from Experienced Orlando Premises Liability Attorneys
The premises liability attorneys at Bailey Fisher Law have the skill and experience needed to help you recover monetary damages for the physical injuries and emotional suffering while on the property of a business.
If you suffered physical injuries and/or emotional trauma in an accident that occurred at a business, you may have a valid premises liability claim. We are committed to helping the victims of premises liability accidents by ensuring that the responsible party is held accountable and that the victims are fully compensated.
Call us at 407-628-2929 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Orlando premises liability attorneys will evaluate your case for free. For viable personal injury cases, we will follow up with the necessary legal action to hold the responsible party accountable for their negligence and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering, and losses.