Parking Lot Trip Hazards: What Recent Lawsuits Reveal About Property Owner Liability In Florida

While most think of slip and fall cases as wet floor accidents in stores, a new and increasing area of personal injury claims in Florida involves one of the most overlooked areas that a business is responsible for: the parking lot. With the increasing use of repurposed or expanded spaces for pedestrians and vehicles, it has become a significant area for danger. 

Why parking lots are danger zones 

While parking lots might seem like an innocuous setting, there are a lot of people and a lot of vehicle movement going on in these areas. People are often preoccupied with cars, shopping carts, their cell phones, and shopping bags, and are not paying attention to subtle changes in the walking surface. As a result, minor issues in parking lot design and maintenance can result in serious and debilitating injuries. These include knee and hip fractures, torn ligaments, head trauma, and even permanent mobility problems.

In a series of recent lawsuits, these exact issues are being played out in a parking lot setting. In Florida, for example, a man in his 70s filed a personal injury lawsuit after falling off an unpainted curb at a busy travel center and sustaining serious knee and hip injuries. He is now suing for damages exceeding $850,000, arguing that the curb should have been designed in a way that made it more visible to pedestrians. In another lawsuit targeting the same parking lot, the plaintiffs claim they were injured by a poorly-designed parking surface.

These are not isolated incidents. They are a part of a larger trend in which poorly designed and poorly maintained parking areas are resulting in personal injury lawsuits. 

Common types of parking lot trip hazards 

Some of the most common issues that give rise to claims involve:

• Lack of curb markings or changes in levels, particularly where color and texture are similar to pavement.
• Damaged pavement and uneven pavement.
• Inadequate lighting that fails to draw attention to potential tripping hazards when walking at night.
• Inadequate placement of wheel stops or bollards that a pedestrian could trip over if they aren’t well-marked.
• Drainage grates, tree wells, or utility covers that are flush with other walking surfaces.

The owners and managers of shopping centers, gas stations, big box stores, travel plazas, and more have a legal obligation under Florida law to make sure their property is reasonably safe for visitors. They also have a responsibility to warn visitors of hidden dangers that they know or should know exist. If they fail in this duty, they can be liable for an injury.

If you’ve been injured in a parking lot, you should call a personal injury attorney right away. We can investigate the scene of the accident and hold the owner accountable for their negligence. 

Call a Jacksonville, FL, Personal Injury Attorney Today 

Gillette Law represents the interests of Jacksonville residents who have been injured on premises. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.

Source:

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