Virginia Beach Summer Premises Liability Concerns
Summertime in Virginia Beach means a big uptick in visitors to hotels, shops, restaurants, entertainment hotspots, and public spaces. While there is no shortage of activities that residents and visitors can enjoy in our city, the increased activity and foot traffic mean that more guests and patrons might suffer injuries if a property is not adequately maintained.
Many of the most common kinds of accidents during the summer are the result of negligence on the part of property owners or managers. Victims who have suffered severe injuries in such cases may be eligible to file a premises liability lawsuit.
Premises liability involves a property owner or occupant’s legal obligation to ensure premises are reasonably safe for other people. If they fail to do so, they could be responsible for paying for damages.
The Virginia Beach premises liability lawyers of Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including $2.7 million for a harbor worker injured on a construction site. You can have us provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
Common Premises Liability Cases During the Summer
The Virginia Beach area is home to several well-known amusement parks, including Atlantic Fun Park, Adventureworks Wetland Zipline Park, and Captain Jack’s Pirate Ship. Rides at these parks have to be regularly maintained and checked to ensure they are working properly. Failure to maintain equipment or an inexperienced operator could be responsible for an accident, for example.
Another popular outdoor activity during the summer in Virginia Beach is concerts. A venue could be responsible for a victim’s injuries when they are assaulted by an unruly attendee if the venue did not provide adequate security. Slip and fall accidents are also extremely common at these outdoor events.
The number of people traveling to Virginia Beach from other states also increases the likelihood of accidents at hotels and resorts. Victims in such cases will want to find a lawyer in Virginia Beach who can handle all court obligations here once the victims return home.
Dog bite incidents also tend to increase in the summer since people and animals are more likely to come in contact outdoors during these months. Schoolchildren who are out of school on summer break are, unfortunately, at higher risk of being bitten by a dog than adults. A dog bite that happens in the neighborhood, at the local park, or anywhere in Virginia Beach can lead to costly medical treatment, scarring and disfigurement, and lasting emotional trauma.
How to Avoid Summer Safety Hazards in Virginia Beach
When you are preparing to go outside in Virginia Beach in the summer, always make sure to protect yourself from the elements, including applying a generous amount of sunblock. Be mindful of poison oak and poison ivy in many outdoor locations, and also check for ticks.
When you are planning on using a swimming pool, always make sure children are supervised. Also, inspect all pool equipment such as ladders and diving boards to make sure they are safe to use. Use caution when swimming in a natural environment like the ocean.
If children are using outdoor playgrounds, consider adding protective cushioning to help absorb some impact if they fall. When people ride bicycles or scooters, always make sure you wear a helmet to reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
Be mindful of how quickly vehicles can become hot in the summertime and never leave children unattended in automobiles. You should also be sure to consume alcohol responsibly to reduce your risk of such incidents.
Types of Compensation Available for Premises Liability Victims
You are right to expect the negligent party in your case to cover many of the bills you are now facing. It will usually be the insurance company for the negligent party that you will have to deal with. You would likely deal with a homeowners’ insurance company in private property cases. Commercial insurers cover most of the businesses that own public establishments where summertime accidents often occur.
When you hire an attorney, they will usually submit a demand letter to the insurance company to seek all of the compensation that you need and deserve. Insurers often refuse to pay the initial demands, and this will trigger settlement negotiations.
Premises liability cases frequently end in settlements. However, when an adequate settlement becomes unrealistic, a lawsuit may be necessary.
If you prevail in a lawsuit by proving your case by a preponderance of the evidence, you could be awarded several kinds of compensatory damages. One of the most common kinds of compensatory damages is economic damages, which are the financial costs that a person is facing because of their injuries.
Economic damages usually include awards covering all of a person’s past, present, and future medical expenses. Another common component is lost wages, which cover the income a person has lost because of an inability to return to work.
Another more complicated type of compensatory damages are noneconomic damages. These awards are far more subjective because they don’t come with a clear price tag attached. Common kinds of noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and disfigurement.
Talk to a Premises Liability Lawyer Now
The insurance company representing the negligent party in your case may be quick to offer you a lump sum settlement to resolve your case, and an adjuster may even tell you that you will be able to keep more money for yourself by not hiring an attorney. You need to know that this is almost always an empty promise because what you are being offered is almost certainly far less than what you are entitled to and will not be enough to cover many of your future expenses.
If you suffered catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in an accident caused by a property owner’s negligence in Virginia Beach or a surrounding area in Virginia, make sure you talk to an attorney before you say anything to an insurance company. Contact Ruloff, Swain, Haddad, Morecock, Talbert & Woodward, P.C. as soon as possible.
Our firm can fight to for all of the compensation you are entitled to. Call us or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with us today.