Florida is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Miami Beach, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, the Keys, and the Treasure Coast host millions of hotel and resort guests every year. Unfortunately, wet pool decks, slippery lobby floors, poorly maintained stairwells, and inadequate lighting injure thousands of guests annually.

Hotels and resorts owe their guests one of the highest duties of care under Florida premises liability law. If you were injured in a slip and fall at a Florida hotel or resort, you have strong legal rights — and the hotel's insurance company will work hard to minimize your claim.

Under Florida law, hotels owe invitees (paying guests) the highest duty of care — the duty to:

1. Inspect the premises for dangerous conditions
2. Repair known hazards within a reasonable time
3. Warn guests of hazards that cannot be immediately fixed

This is a higher standard than what applies to casual visitors. A hotel that fails to inspect, repair, or warn is liable for resulting injuries.

Pool decks and pool areas. Wet surfaces around pools are the most common hotel injury site. Inadequate drainage, missing non-slip surfaces, and lack of warning signs create serious fall risks.

Lobby and corridor floors. Marble, tile, and polished stone floors — common in Florida hotels — become extremely slippery when wet. Tracked-in water from pools and rain is a constant hazard.

Bathroom floors. Hotel bathroom floors, especially near showers and tubs, are frequent fall sites. Missing bath mats, slippery tile, and inadequate grab bars contribute to falls.

Stairwells. Poorly lit, wet, or improperly maintained stairwells cause serious falls, especially in older Florida hotels.

Outdoor walkways and pool areas. Uneven pavers, cracked concrete, and wet outdoor surfaces throughout resort properties create trip and fall hazards.

Fitness centers and spas. Wet floors in gym areas, locker rooms, and spa facilities are common injury sites.

Elevators. Uneven elevator thresholds and malfunctioning doors cause falls and entrapment injuries.

Many Florida hotel injury victims are tourists from other states or countries. This creates additional considerations:

• You can file your lawsuit in Florida regardless of where you live
• Florida law applies to the hotel's duty of care
• We handle cases for out-of-state and international clients throughout the process — you do not need to be in Florida to pursue your claim
• Medical records from your home state or country are fully admissible

Surveillance footage. Hotels have extensive camera systems. We demand preservation immediately — footage is often overwritten within 24–72 hours.

Incident reports. Hotels are required to document guest injuries. We obtain these through discovery.

Maintenance and inspection logs. Hotels must conduct regular inspections of common areas. Missing logs support constructive knowledge.

Prior incident history. A pattern of similar falls at the same location proves the hotel knew about a recurring hazard.

Expert testimony. Hospitality safety experts can testify about industry standards for floor maintenance, warning signs, and hazard response.

• Medical expenses — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation
• Lost wages — including time missed from work after returning home
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Travel expenses related to medical care

Yes. You file your lawsuit in Florida where the injury occurred. Florida law applies. We handle the entire case — you do not need to travel to Florida for most of the process.

Absolutely not. A release signed after an injury waives your right to sue for full compensation. The hotel is offering a free night because they know your injuries may be worth far more. Contact us before signing anything.

A "swim at your own risk" sign does not eliminate the hotel's duty to maintain safe pool deck conditions. The sign may limit liability for drowning or swimming injuries, but it does not waive the hotel's duty to maintain non-slippery pool deck surfaces and adequate drainage.

2 years from the date of the accident under Florida's 2023 tort reform. Do not wait — surveillance footage is overwritten quickly.

Injured at a Florida hotel or resort? Call Juan Cordero Lawyers at 305-525-8957 — available 24/7. We represent guests from across the U.S. and internationally. No fee unless we win.