Can I File a Lawsuit if I Got Injured at St. Pete Pier?
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Personal Injury
The St. Pete Pier is one of the most popular attractions in St. Petersburg. The pier extends into Tampa Bay from downtown. Thousands of people enjoy the dining and entertainment options along the pier. Many people use the pier for walking and bicycling along the waterfront. Others enjoy the many attractions along the pier, including the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad, and The Marketplace.
Unfortunately, accidents may occur along the pier that can cause severe injuries. Slip, trip, and fall accidents are among the most common accidents. You might consider filing a lawsuit if you are injured while visiting St. Petersburg Pier. Florida personal injury laws protect injured parties by providing a cause of action to recover damages from the parties responsible for causing their injuries.
Who Can I Sue if I Got Injured at St. Pete Pier?
The City of St. Petersburg owns St. Pete Pier. If your accident occurred on city-owned property, you might have a claim against the city. However, other parties could be liable if your injuries occurred at a business or because of another party’s negligence or intentional torts.
An experienced attorney investigates the circumstances of your accident to identify the parties liable for your damages. Your lawyer can file a lawsuit for injuries at St. Pete Pier, seeking compensation from the liable parties.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against the City for Injuries at St. Pete Pier?
Government entities are protected by sovereign immunity. Under the legal theory of sovereign immunity, you cannot sue the government without its permission. Florida waived sovereign immunity for personal injury claims involving negligence. Therefore, if you are injured at the pier, you can file a lawsuit against the city.
An important thing to remember is that before you file a lawsuit for an injury at St. Pete Pier, you must give the city notice of your claim. You have three years to file a written notice of claim with the city. If the city denies your claim, you can file a lawsuit. The time the city takes to investigate your claim is included in the three-year deadline to file a lawsuit.
We recommend that you seek legal advice as soon as possible after an injury at the pier. Waiting to file a claim can make it more difficult to win your case. Evidence may disappear, and witnesses may leave the area. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the quicker the attorney can begin to preserve the evidence necessary to prove your claim.
What Damages Are Available in a Lawsuit for Injuries at St. Pete Pier?
Florida personal injury laws include compensation for economic and non-economic damages. An injured party can sue the city or another at-fault party for damages, including:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- The cost of medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Lost wages, earning capacity, and benefits
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Long-term care
You can help maximize your recovery for damages by keeping detailed records of all expenses and financial losses. You may also want to keep a journal to write down details about your recovery. It helps to keep notes explaining how your injuries impact your daily life to help prove the extent of your non-economic damages.
What Should I Do if I’m Injured at St. Pete Pier in St. Petersburg, FL?
The moments after an accident or injury can be chaotic. You may be in a great deal of pain, so you might not be able to do very much to document the accident scene. After calling 911 to request medical assistance, take pictures of the area if possible. Make sure to photograph the cause of your injury.
Several people may have witnessed the accident. Ask them for their names and contact information. Eyewitness testimony can help corroborate your explanation of events.
See a medical provider as soon as possible after the accident. Regardless of the extent of your injuries, you should seek medical treatment. Delays in medical care may cause injuries to worsen and hurt your personal injury claim.
Contact the Pinellas County Personal Injury Law Firm Of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help
For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg personal injury law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 796-8282
Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 349-1728