Florida apartment complexes are home to millions of residents — and they are also the site of thousands of preventable slip and fall accidents every year. Wet pool decks, broken stairwells, cracked walkways, poor lighting, and unmaintained common areas injure tenants and visitors throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and across the state.

If you were injured in a slip and fall at a Florida apartment complex, you have rights — even if the landlord or property manager claims you are responsible.

Florida law imposes a duty of reasonable care on landlords and property managers to maintain common areas in a safe condition. This includes:

• Stairwells, hallways, and corridors
• Parking lots and garages
• Pool decks and pool areas
• Laundry rooms
• Lobbies and entryways
• Sidewalks and walkways on the property
• Fitness centers and recreational areas
• Elevators and escalators

When a landlord knows — or should know — about a dangerous condition and fails to fix it or warn residents, they are liable for resulting injuries.

Wet pool decks. Florida's pool culture means wet surfaces are a constant hazard. Inadequate drainage, missing non-slip surfaces, and lack of warning signs around pool areas cause serious falls.

Broken or uneven walkways. Cracked concrete, raised pavement edges, and uneven surfaces throughout the property are common — and commonly ignored by management.

Poorly lit stairwells and parking areas. Inadequate lighting is one of the most common and preventable hazards. Falls on dark stairwells cause serious injuries.

Wet stairwells. Open-air stairwells in Florida's rainy climate become slippery without proper drainage and non-slip surfaces.

Broken handrails. A missing or broken handrail on a staircase is a serious safety violation that can turn a stumble into a catastrophic fall.

Leaking pipes and flooding. Water intrusion from plumbing failures, roof leaks, or flooding creates wet floor hazards in common areas.

Unmaintained landscaping. Tree roots that lift walkways, overgrown vegetation that obscures hazards, and debris on pathways create trip and fall risks.

Both tenants and visitors (guests, delivery drivers, maintenance workers) can bring premises liability claims against an apartment complex. The legal standard is the same — the property owner must exercise reasonable care to maintain safe conditions for all lawful visitors.

Maintenance request records. If you or another tenant reported the hazard before your fall, those records are powerful evidence that management had actual knowledge and failed to act.

Property inspection records. Management companies are required to conduct regular property inspections. Missing or inadequate inspection records support constructive knowledge.

Surveillance footage. Many apartment complexes have cameras in common areas. We demand preservation immediately.

Witness statements. Neighbors who witnessed the fall or knew about the hazard are valuable witnesses.

Photographs. Document the hazard, the location, and your injuries immediately after the fall.

Prior incident reports. A history of similar falls at the same location proves the property owner knew about a recurring problem.

In Florida apartment complex cases, potentially liable parties include:

• The property owner (individual landlord or investment company)
• The property management company responsible for maintenance
• A maintenance contractor if they created or failed to fix the hazard
• The HOA if the complex is managed by a homeowners association

We investigate all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.

No. Lease provisions attempting to waive a landlord's liability for negligence are generally unenforceable under Florida law. You cannot contractually waive your right to sue for a landlord's negligence.

Yes. Being a tenant does not prevent you from suing your landlord for injuries caused by negligent maintenance of common areas. Your lease does not waive this right.

Yes. If management had actual knowledge of the hazard and failed to fix it or warn residents within a reasonable time, they are liable regardless of whether they had a contractor scheduled.

2 years from the date of the accident under Florida's 2023 tort reform.

Injured in a slip and fall at a Florida apartment complex? Call Juan Cordero Lawyers at 305-525-8957 — available 24/7. We hold negligent landlords accountable. No fee unless we win.