Injured on Vacation in Miami?

Miami's highest-risk venues for visitors

Each venue below creates its own injury patterns and its own legal complexities. Here is what you need to know about the most common locations where tourists are seriously hurt in Miami.

Frequently asked questions

I was assaulted on Ocean Drive or in a South Beach nightclub. Do I have a claim?

Possibly. Property owners — hotels, nightclubs, parking garages — have a duty to provide reasonable security when crime is foreseeable. South Beach has a well-documented history of violent crime. If a business knew or should have known about prior criminal activity in the area and failed to take reasonable precautions — adequate security personnel, working cameras, proper lighting — it may be liable for your injuries under Florida's negligent security law.

I was injured at a South Beach hotel pool. Who is responsible?

Hotels and resorts have a legal duty to maintain safe pools — adequate lifeguard staffing, compliant drain covers, working pool barriers, and proper signage. When a guest drowns or is seriously injured because a hotel failed those duties, the hotel can be held liable. Security footage and incident reports are often overwritten or altered within 24 to 72 hours. Call us immediately.

I was hurt boarding or disembarking at PortMiami. Who do I sue?

PortMiami is the busiest cruise port in the world. Injuries on gangways, piers, and in the terminal may involve the cruise line, the port authority, or a third-party contractor. Cruise line ticket contracts typically require written notice within six months and a lawsuit within one year — deadlines that are strictly enforced. Port authority claims may involve government notice requirements. Call us the same day.

I was injured on a cruise ship that departed from Miami. Where do I file?

Most major cruise lines require lawsuits to be filed in a specific federal court in Florida — typically the Southern District of Florida in Miami — within one year of the injury. Written notice is usually required within six months. These deadlines are shorter than Florida's standard two-year statute of limitations and are strictly enforced. Do not wait.

I was in a rental car accident on I-95 or the MacArthur Causeway. How does insurance work?

Multiple policies may apply: your own auto policy, the rental company's coverage, the at-fault driver's liability insurance, and possibly your credit card's rental coverage. I-95 and the causeways connecting Miami Beach to the mainland are among the most dangerous roads in South Florida. We sort out which coverage applies and deal with all the insurers so you do not have to.

I was hit by a car as a pedestrian on Ocean Drive or Lincoln Road. What are my rights?

Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. When a driver fails to do so and injures a tourist, the driver — and in some cases the property owner or the city — can be held liable. Miami Beach has some of the highest pedestrian injury rates in Florida. Photograph the scene, get the driver's information, and call us immediately.

I was injured on a jet ski or boat tour in Biscayne Bay. Who is liable?

Boat and jet ski rental operators in Florida are required to maintain safe equipment and provide adequate instruction. When a collision, equipment failure, or operator negligence causes an injury, the rental company, the tour operator, or another vessel's operator may be liable. Maritime law may also apply depending on the location of the incident. These cases require immediate evidence preservation.

I slipped and fell at Bayside Marketplace or Brickell City Centre. Is that a premises liability claim?

Yes. Commercial property owners — shopping centers, entertainment complexes, marketplaces — have a duty to maintain safe premises and warn visitors of known hazards. Wet floors, uneven pavement, broken escalators, and inadequate lighting are common causes of serious falls at high-traffic tourist destinations. The property owner's insurer will begin investigating immediately — so should you.

I was injured at the Miami Beach Convention Center or a concert at Kaseya Center. Do I have a claim?

Event venues owe attendees a duty of reasonable care — adequate security, safe crowd management, and properly maintained facilities. The Miami Beach Convention Center is a government-owned facility, which means additional notice requirements apply. Kaseya Center and Hard Rock Stadium are privately operated. In either case, evidence disappears fast and deadlines are strict.

I got severe food poisoning at a South Beach restaurant or from cruise ship food. Can I sue?

Yes. Restaurants, hotels, and cruise lines have a duty to serve safe food. Severe food poisoning — particularly from contaminated seafood, raw bar items, or buffet food — can cause lasting harm. You will need medical documentation linking your illness to the specific food source. We work with experts who can establish causation and document your damages.

Can I bring a claim from another state or another country?

Yes. If you were injured in Florida, your claim is governed by Florida law and any lawsuit is filed in Florida. You do not need to be a Florida resident or a U.S. citizen. In most cases you can start the process entirely from home — by phone, video call, and electronic signature. Our office is in North Bay Village, minutes from South Beach, and we handle the evidence gathering here.

Do I have to come back to Miami for the case?

Usually not to get started, and often not at all. 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 if that becomes necessary.

How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?

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: often one year under the ticket contract, with written notice required within six months. Government venue claims: additional notice steps apply. Your home state's deadline does not apply. Evidence also disappears much faster than any legal deadline — call as soon as you can.

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.

Do you handle cases in languages other than English?

Yes. Our staff speaks seven languages: English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Swiss German, and Portuguese. We believe this makes us uniquely equipped to represent international tourists injured in Florida. You do not need to speak English to work with us. We communicate by phone, email, video call, and WhatsApp across time zones.