Injuries at Businesses

or Homes in Sarasota

Your Guide to Dog Bites, Slip and Falls, Falling Debris, and More

Accidents can happen anywhere, whether it is a dog bite at a neighbor’s home, a slip on a wet floor in a Sarasota store, or debris falling from a poorly maintained building. These incidents can leave you injured, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next. Under Florida law, you may be entitled to compensation, but navigating the rules can be complicated. SARASOTA LAW serves as a valuable tool for Sarasota residents by centralizing access to information about common premises injuries, such as dog bites, slip-and-falls on wet floors, or falling debris from construction sites near Bee Ridge Road.

Understanding Injuries on Someone Else’s Property

Injuries at businesses or homes in Sarasota fall under premises liability law. This means property owners or occupiers must keep their space safe, but their responsibility depends on who you are:

Invitees

Customers or clients, such as those shopping at a downtown Sarasota store, are owed the highest duty of care. Property owners must fix hazards or provide clear warnings.

Licensees

Guests, such as when visiting a friend’s home, are owed a duty of care. Owners must warn about any known dangers that have not been fixed.

Trespassers

Uninvited visitors are owed very limited protection. Property owners are only required to avoid causing intentional harm.

This matters because it sets the bar for what they owe you. Whether it’s a dog bite, a wet floor, or falling debris.

Common Injuries and Florida Law

Here’s how Sarasota’s most common property injuries play out under the law:

Dog Bites

The Law

Florida Statute 767.01 makes dog owners strictly liable if their dog bites you in a public place or anywhere you are legally allowed to be, such as a friend’s yard. You do not need to prove the owner was careless.

Key Details

If you provoked the dog or were trespassing, the owner might dodge liability. But this law is victim-friendly, protecting you even if the dog never bit before.

Sarasota Angle

With dogs common in our pet-friendly city, bites happen at homes, parks, or beaches.

Slip and Falls (Wet Floors)

The Law

Business owners must keep floors safe for customers and warn guests about wet areas they know about or should have known about (Florida Bar Premises Liability). To succeed in a claim, you must show that the owner failed to address the hazard, such as not placing a ‘wet floor’ sign in a Siesta Key shop.

Watch Out

If the hazard was obvious and you didn’t avoid it, they might argue you’re at fault. But if they didn’t act reasonably, you’ve got a case.

Real Case

In 2023, a Miami slip and fall case settled for $150,000 after a store ignored a known spill. Sarasota cases follow the same legal principles.

Falling Debris

The Law

Owners must ensure their property does not create falling hazards, such as bricks from an old downtown building or construction materials near I-75. Negligence in these cases often comes from poor upkeep or unsafe construction practices (Florida OSHA Standards).

Scope

This rule applies to public areas as well. If debris falls from a Sarasota home onto a sidewalk, the property owner can still be held liable.

Example:

In 2022, a Tampa case awarded $200,000 to a pedestrian struck by falling bricks. The key factor was proving negligence.

Florida’s Twist: Comparative Negligence

Here’s a curveball. Florida’s comparative negligence rule (Florida Statutes Section 768.81) reduces your compensation if you are partly at fault. For example, if you were distracted while walking on a wet floor and found 40% responsible, you would recover only 60% of the damages.

What to Do After an Injury in Sarasota

What to Do After an Accident: Steps to Stay Safe and Document the Incident:

Get Medical Help

Go to Sarasota Memorial or a local clinic right away. Your health comes first, and medical records are essential to prove your injury.

Report It

Tell the owner or manager (and animal control for dog bites). Get their name and number, and ask for an incident report.

Snap Photos

Document the scene, whether it is a wet floor, debris pile, or bite marks, and record your injuries. If witnesses are present, get their statements too.

Save Everything

Keep medical bills, receipts, and a journal of your pain or missed work.

Call an Attorney

Time fades evidence. A premises liability pro can dig into the owner’s fault and fight insurance tricks.

You’ve got four years to file under Florida law (Florida Statutes Section 95.11), but don’t wait; act fast.

Common Mistakes That Can Weaken an Accident Claim

Avoid these traps:

Skipping the Doctor

Delays can make injuries appear minor, and insurers often use that as an excuse.

Not Reporting

No record? It’s your word against theirs.

Missing Evidence

No photos or witnesses weaken your proof.

Chatting with Insurance Alone

Insurers may twist your words to reduce your payout. Let a lawyer handle the negotiations.

Dragging Your Feet

Evidence vanishes, and four years flies by.

Quick Facts: Premises Liability in Sarasota

Injury Type	Key Rule
Dog Bites	Strict liability means the owner must pay if you are legally on the property.
Slip and Fall	Prove they knew about the hazard and ignored it.
Falling Debris	Negligence in upkeep or construction triggers liability.
Time Limit	4 years to file, but act sooner.
Your Fault?	Partial blame cuts your payout.

Motorcycle/Bicycle

~10% (e.g., 730 in 2022)
Higher fatality rates per incident than car crashes.

Looking For Information About Injuries at Businesses or Homes in Sarasota?

We are not a referral service and do not provide legal advice. Instead, this hub shares information on city, county, state, and federal resources that may be relevant to incidents at businesses or private properties. Since rules and deadlines can differ, the goal is to provide access to reliable information that helps residents make informed choices with confidence.

Contact SARASOTA LAW