Key West · Marathon · Islamorada · Key Largo
Slip & Fall Lawyer
Florida Keys & Monroe County
Falls are the leading cause of death among the elderly in Florida and the number one reason for non-fatal injury hospital admissions statewide. When a hazardous condition on someone else's property causes your fall, you deserve a lawyer who will hold them accountable. Juan Cordero has been fighting for Florida injury victims since 1999. No fee unless we win.
Florida's slip and fall statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. Surveillance footage is overwritten within days. Do not wait — call us today.
When Is a Property Owner Liable for a Slip and Fall?
Nationwide, falls generate eight million emergency room visits every year — about one million from slip and fall accidents alone. In Florida, falls are the leading cause of death among the elderly and the fourth leading cause for everyone else. They are the number one reason for non-fatal injury hospital admissions in the state.
Slip and fall accidents don't happen for no reason. A hazardous condition on the floor causes the fall — a condition that shouldn't have been there, or that the property owner failed to clean up or fix before someone got hurt. Under Florida law, a property owner is liable when they:
Created the Hazard
The owner or their employees directly caused the dangerous condition — for example, mopping a floor and failing to put up warning signs.
Knew About It
The owner had actual knowledge of the hazard — a prior complaint, a maintenance request, or an employee who saw the spill — and failed to fix it in a reasonable time.
Should Have Known
Businesses open to the public have an affirmative duty to regularly inspect their premises and promptly address hazards. If a reasonable inspection would have found the danger, the owner is liable.
Even when the property owner didn't invite the public onto their premises, Florida law requires them to warn or fix any known dangers for people lawfully on the property — delivery drivers, meter readers, mail carriers, and inspectors. The duty is narrower but it still exists.
Common Slip & Fall Hazards in the Florida Keys
The Keys' tourism economy — restaurants, hotels, resorts, marinas, and retail shops — creates constant foot traffic and constant opportunities for negligent property owners to let dangerous conditions go unaddressed.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall
The steps you take in the hours and days after a slip and fall can make or break your case. Evidence disappears fast — surveillance footage is overwritten, spills are cleaned up, and witnesses move on.
- Tell someone at the establishment immediately — insist they document it in writing
- Photograph the hazard, your injuries, and the surrounding area before anything is cleaned up
- Get contact information from any witnesses who saw you fall or saw the hazard
- Seek emergency care if needed; follow up with a doctor as soon as possible even if you feel okay
- Do not give any recorded statements to the insurance company before speaking with an attorney
- Do not accept any money or sign any release from the insurer before consulting a lawyer
- Call Florida Keys Injury — we document the circumstances and preserve critical evidence
Insurance Company Tactics to Watch For
Claims adjusters are expertly trained to get you to say things that make it sound like you are at fault or not seriously hurt. Common tactics used against slip and fall victims in the Florida Keys:
- Claiming you weren't watching where you were going
- Suggesting you had too much to drink while on vacation in the Keys
- Minimizing your injuries and claiming you aren't seriously hurt
- Offering a quick, low settlement before your full damages are known
- Arguing the hazard was "open and obvious" and you should have avoided it
- Claiming the property owner had no notice of the dangerous condition
Our advice:
Say nothing to the insurer before you speak with an attorney. Let us talk to them on your behalf. We are compassionate with clients and aggressive toward insurance companies.
Compensation We Pursue for Slip & Fall Victims
A serious slip and fall can mean broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and months of recovery. You deserve full compensation for every loss.
Frequently Asked Questions — Slip & Fall in the Florida Keys
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for negligence claims, including slip and fall cases, is two years from the date of the accident (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a), as amended effective 2023). Missing this deadline almost always bars your claim entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible — evidence disappears, surveillance footage gets overwritten, and witnesses' memories fade.
What do I have to prove to win a slip and fall case in Florida?
You must prove that the property owner (1) created the hazardous condition, or (2) knew about it and failed to fix or warn about it, or (3) should have known about it through the exercise of reasonable care. For businesses open to the public, Florida law imposes an affirmative duty to regularly inspect the premises and promptly address hazards. You must also prove the hazard caused your fall and your injuries.
What if I was partly at fault for the slip and fall?
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule (Fla. Stat. § 768.81). If you are found to be 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate your share of fault to reduce or eliminate their payout — having an experienced attorney on your side is critical to countering these tactics.
The store put up a wet floor sign. Does that mean I can't sue?
Not necessarily. A wet floor sign is evidence that the owner knew about the hazard, but it does not automatically eliminate liability. The sign must be adequate — visible, properly placed, and sufficient to warn of the specific danger. If the sign was inadequate, hidden, or the hazard was unreasonably dangerous even with a warning, you may still have a valid claim. We evaluate every case individually.
What if I slipped and fell at a hotel or resort in the Keys?
Hotels and resorts owe guests a high duty of care. They must maintain all areas — lobbies, hallways, pool decks, restaurants, fitness centers, and parking lots — in a reasonably safe condition. Hotel slip and fall cases often involve large corporate defendants with aggressive insurance carriers. Our attorneys have experience handling these cases and know how to build the evidence needed to hold them accountable.
Can I still recover if I don't have health insurance?
Yes. We can connect you with medical providers who will treat you on a lien basis — meaning they are paid from the settlement proceeds rather than upfront. You receive the care you need without out-of-pocket costs. This is a common arrangement in personal injury cases and does not affect your right to recover full compensation.
How much is my slip and fall case worth?
Every case is different. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, the impact on your daily life, and the strength of the evidence of the property owner's negligence. Cases involving broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal injuries typically have higher values. We evaluate every case thoroughly and fight for the maximum compensation available under Florida law.
Hurt in a Slip & Fall in the Florida Keys?
Call Florida Keys Injury for a free consultation. We represent slip and fall victims throughout Monroe County — Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo. No fee unless we win.