- Can I bring a claim in Florida if I live somewhere else?
- Yes. If you were injured in the Florida Keys, the claim is handled under Florida law and any lawsuit is filed in Monroe County. You do not need to be a Florida resident or a United States citizen. Hiring a lawyer near your home often does not help — that lawyer may not be licensed in Florida. You need a Florida lawyer who knows the Keys.
- Do I have to travel back to Florida?
- Usually not to get started, and often not at all. We sign clients by phone, video call, and electronic signature. Many claims settle without a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed, depositions and mediation are frequently held by video. A trial or a medical examination requested by the defense may require a trip — we will tell you well in advance.
- How long do I have to file a claim?
- Less time than most visitors expect. Most negligence claims: two years from the date of injury for incidents on or after March 24, 2023. Wrongful death: two years from the date of death. Cruise ship injuries: the ticket contract often requires written notice within six months and a lawsuit within one year, in a court the cruise line chooses. Claims against a city, county, or state agency: additional notice steps apply. Your home state's deadline does not apply. Evidence also fades much faster than any legal deadline — call as soon as you can.
- A bar or cruise ship kept serving alcohol to someone who was clearly drunk, and that person hurt me. Do I have a claim?
- Possibly, under Florida's Dram Shop Act. Florida law holds bars, restaurants, and cruise lines liable when they knowingly serve alcohol to a person who is habitually addicted to alcohol, or serve a minor, and that person then injures someone. Key West's Duval Street — with more than 400 bars in a single mile — and cruise ships that over-serve passengers are common settings for these claims. The standard is specific, so call us to discuss the facts of your situation.
- I was assaulted, shot, or stabbed at a bar, hotel, or on Duval Street. Can I sue the business?
- Possibly. Property owners — hotels, bars, nightclubs, event venues — have a duty to provide reasonable security when crime is foreseeable. Key West's entertainment district has a documented history of violent incidents. If a business knew or should have known about prior criminal activity and failed to take reasonable precautions — inadequate lighting, no security personnel, broken surveillance cameras — it may be liable for your injuries under Florida's negligent security law.
- I was injured on a boat tour, snorkeling excursion, or dive charter. Who is responsible?
- The tour operator, boat captain, and equipment manufacturer may all bear responsibility depending on what caused the injury. Negligent operation, equipment failure, failure to brief passengers on safety, and overloading are common causes. Maritime law may apply depending on where the injury occurred. These cases require immediate action to preserve the vessel, equipment, and any onboard recordings.
- I was poisoned by carbon monoxide at a vacation rental or on a boat. What are my options?
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from boat engines, generators, and poorly ventilated vacation rentals has killed and seriously injured tourists in the Florida Keys. Property owners and boat operators have a legal duty to maintain working CO detectors and adequate ventilation. If they failed that duty, they may be liable for your injuries, medical bills, and long-term neurological effects.
- I signed a waiver before the tour or rental. Is that the end of it?
- Not always. Whether a waiver holds up depends on its exact wording and on what happened. Florida courts scrutinize waivers carefully. A waiver may not cover gross negligence, intentional misconduct, or injuries caused by a defective product. Send us a copy and we will tell you where you stand.
- I had been drinking when I was hurt. Do I still have a claim?
- Possibly. Drinking does not by itself end a claim. Florida compares each side's share of fault, reduces the recovery by your share, and bars it only if you were more than half at fault. The facts matter — call us.
- Who pays my medical bills while the claim is pending?
- In most cases your own health insurance at home pays for treatment in the meantime, and it may ask to be repaid from any recovery. After a vehicle crash, your auto policy, the rental company's coverage, or the at-fault driver's insurance may also apply. Travel insurance sometimes covers medical costs and the trip home. We work out which coverage applies and deal with those insurers for you.
- What if my family member was airlifted to Miami?
- Hospitals in the Keys are small, so people with serious injuries are often flown to trauma centers in Miami. Our Miami office is in North Bay Village, and we can meet you or your family at the hospital. You do not need to choose between a Keys lawyer and a Miami lawyer — we work in both places.
- What if I am visiting from another country?
- International visitors have the same right to bring a claim. Our staff speaks seven languages — English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Swiss German, and Portuguese. Our office manager holds a Master's degree in Business and Languages from the University of Zurich, and we have current staff fluent in Portuguese. Switzerland has contacted us in the past to assist tourists while in Florida navigate legal issues. You do not need to speak English to work with us — we stay in touch by phone, email, video, and WhatsApp across time zones.
- The business says its insurance will take care of me. Do I need a lawyer?
- The insurer works for the business, not for you. Speak with us before you accept an offer or sign a release — a release usually ends your claim for good.
- What does it cost to hire you?
- The consultation is free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We work on a contingency fee — we are paid a percentage of what we recover, and you owe no attorney's fee if there is no recovery.
