St. Petersburg, FL — Initial Report Highlights Severe Damage From Hurricane Milton on Bay Area
17OctSt. Petersburg, FL (October 17th, 2024) – The initial post-storm report issued by the National Weather Service highlights the severe impact of Hurricane Milton on the Bay Area.
The second major storm to hit the area within a matter of weeks, Hurricane Milton, brought between 16 and more than 20 inches of rain to coastal cities. Areas also experienced storm surges, and flash and river flooding. Winds ranged between 50-60 mph in Citrus County to between 80 and 100 mph in Pinellas County.
Florida is no stranger to severe storms and hurricanes. When these natural disasters occur, they can cause significant damage, as well as serious personal injuries and death.
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Common Causes of Storm-Related Injuries
Major storm systems, such as Hurricane Milton, can cause a wide variety of injuries, ranging from minor to severe or fatal. Some of the most common incidents that cause injuries suffered in major storms include:
Falling Debris
High winds, such as the up to 100 mph gusts tracked during Milton, can turn everyday objects into dangerous projectiles. Tree branches, roof tiles, and unsecured outdoor items can cause serious injuries if they strike people.
Slip and Fall Accidents
During storms, wet and slippery surfaces are common. Consequently, this may increase the risk of falls resulting in injuries, such as sprains, broken bones, or head trauma.
Electrocution
Hurricanes and other such major weather events often cause significant structural damage, such as downing power lines. Downed lines and water-damaged electrical systems can pose serious electrocution risks during and after storms.
Vehicular Accidents
By the time storms make landfall, most people should be evacuated or sheltered, and off the streets. However, poor visibility, flooded roads, and debris can lead to car accidents during and in the aftermath of severe weather conditions.
Can You Sue for Storm-Related Injuries?
Storm-related injuries can leave Floridians struggling physically, emotionally, and financially. Generally, you cannot file a lawsuit for injuries caused by the storm itself. However, you may have legal options if your injury resulted from a negligent or intentional act during a hurricane.
What Are Common Reasons for Injury Lawsuits After a Hurricane?
There are several bases on which you may pursue compensation for injuries suffered during a natural disaster. Some of the most common of these include:
Negligence
If someone failed to exercise reasonable care leading up to or during a storm, and you suffered harm as a result, you may have grounds for a negligence claim. For instance, if a store owner failed to secure outdoor signs or furniture, and high winds caused them to become projectiles, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer will help you pursue legal action.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions for visitors. Therefore, if they were aware of conditions that could have become dangerous during Hurricane Milton, but didn’t address the hazards, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.
Employer Liability
Some jobs have to be done, even during severe weather and natural disasters. However, employers still have a responsibility to have proper safety protocols in place, and to follow them. If you suffered an injury while performing your job during a major storm, you may have a right to recover workers’ compensation benefits, or to pursue damages through alternative options.
Product Liability
If a product designed to protect you from storms—like a generator, roof materials, or storm shutters—malfunctions or is defective and results in injury, you could have grounds for a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or retailer.
Drowning or Near-Drowning Incidents
Very quickly, flash floods and storm surges can create dangerous water conditions. Those caught in these conditions may be at risk for drowning or near-drowning. A hurricane insurance claims attorney may help you determine if your injury was caused by the storm, or the result of someone else’s negligence.
Who Can You Hold Liable for Storm-Related Injuries?
When considering a lawsuit for storm-related injuries, it’s important to identify the parties who may be responsible. Depending on the circumstances of your injury accident, those you may seek to hold financially liable include:
- Property Owners: Homeowners, business owners, or landlords may be responsible if their failure to maintain safe conditions led to your injury.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurers: If you were injured while working in a storm, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurer might be held liable.
- Product Manufacturers: Companies that produce defective products that cause injuries during storms could be responsible under Nevada product liability law.
- Contractors or Construction Companies: If poor construction or maintenance work contributed to your injury, you might have grounds to pursue legal action against the contractor or construction company that performed the work.
Challenges in Storm Injury Lawsuits
Even if you have a valid claim for your storm-related injury, there are some challenges that you may face in recovering compensation.
Defendants in cases involving storm-related injuries or damage often argue that weather systems are unforeseeable acts of God. While this may limit liability in some cases, you may still seek to recover damages if the defendant’s negligence contributed to your injury.
Issues may also arise in establishing causation for your injuries. To recover damages, you will need to prove that your injuries were directly caused by the negligence of another, and not solely due to the storm.
What Should You Do If You Were Injured in a Storm?
If you were injured in a storm, taking the proper steps in the aftermath will help protect your health, and your right to a legal claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Your health is the top priority. Therefore, you should seek immediate medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor. Getting checked out by a medical professional is important, as some injuries are not immediately apparent.
Document the Incident and Injuries
As soon as it is safe to do so, take photos of the scene where the accident occurred that caused your injuries, as well as of your injuries. You should also keep all of your related medical records and any receipts for storm-related expenses.
Gather Witness Information
If anyone witnessed your injury, get their contact information, including their names, phone numbers, and addresses. Testimony from witnesses may provide valuable support for your claim.
Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Consulting with a personal injury attorney who has experience with storm-related injuries is advisable after a hurricane. A lawyer can evaluate your case, advise you of your legal options, and help you navigate the process of filing a lawsuit.
Our board-certified injury attorney, Jim Magazine, has more than 30 years of experience helping people like you pursue compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of others. To discuss your case with a member of our personal injury team, call Magazine & Light Law Group today at 727-499-9900.