Liability issues can be difficult, and Florida has strict guidelines about what a business can or can’t be held responsible for. The statute of limitations varies by state, but if you’re injured in Florida, then you need to do some research on how long you have to report and take action in regards to the injury.
Business owners get some benefit of the doubt in situations where a third party was participating in criminal activity on their property. For those who are simply customers or passing through an area, you are protected by law in many cases.
For instance, if you’re invited onto a property or are under the assumption of an invitation, which is the case when you enter a grocery store or other business, then the business is automatically liable for anything that happens to you in the store within reason. For example, if you slip and fall on water on the floor but it wasn’t marked with a “wet floor” sign, then you may be able to make a claim against the business.
Interestingly, if you take a powered shopping cart into a store that was provided by the business, don’t expect to be covered if something goes wrong. Owners have liability limits, and one in this case states that the shopping cart is provided free of charge and won’t be considered dangerous, so it can be harder to prove that you deserve compensation for any injuries you suffered while using it. Essentially, it is a tool being provided that you didn’t have to use, so you are acknowledging that you’re taking on the risk when you use it.
Source: The Florida Senate, “2012 Florida Statutes,” accessed April. 01, 2015
