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Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
When a Property Owner’s Negligence Causes Serious Injury — You Have the Right to Hold Them Accountable
A slip and fall at a Fort Lauderdale store, restaurant, hotel, or commercial property can cause devastating injuries — broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and chronic pain that affects every aspect of your life. These are not minor accidents. They are the result of property owners who failed in their legal duty to maintain safe premises.
Carlos D. Cabrera is a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how property owners and their insurers defend slip and fall claims. He understands the tactics they use to deny responsibility — and he begins building the counter-strategy from day one.
Florida’s Slip and Fall Law: What You Must Prove
Florida Statute 768.0755 governs slip and fall cases involving “transitory foreign substances” — wet floors, spilled liquids, fallen merchandise, and similar hazards. Under this statute, you must prove:
- A dangerous condition existed on the property
- The dangerous condition caused your fall and injuries
- The property owner had knowledge of the condition — either:
- Actual knowledge: They knew about the hazard and failed to address it, OR
- Constructive knowledge: The hazard existed long enough that a reasonable inspection would have discovered it, OR they created the condition
This “knowledge” requirement is where most slip and fall cases are won or lost. Property owners and their insurers routinely argue they had no knowledge of the hazard — that it appeared moments before your fall and they had no opportunity to discover or correct it.
Carlos D. Cabrera knows this defense because he used to help build it. Now he defeats it by demanding inspection logs, surveillance footage, employee statements, and prior incident reports that prove the property owner knew — or should have known — about the danger.
The 24-72 Hour Evidence Window
CRITICAL
Most businesses delete surveillance footage within 24-72 hours. If that footage shows how long the hazard existed before your fall — or shows employees walking past without addressing it — that evidence is devastating to the property owner’s defense. But only if it is preserved.
We send preservation letters immediately upon retention. If footage that should exist has been destroyed, we pursue spoliation arguments — asking the court to draw negative inferences against the property owner for destroying evidence.
Common Slip and Fall Locations in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s tourism economy, shopping districts, and commercial development create countless opportunities for premises injuries:
Retail stores and shopping centers — Galleria Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard shops, Sawgrass Mills (nearby), big-box retailers, grocery stores
Hotels and resorts — Pool areas, lobbies, restaurants, parking structures, beach access points
Restaurants and bars — Kitchen spills tracked into dining areas, restroom hazards, outdoor patio surfaces
Grocery stores — Produce sections, freezer aisles, checkout areas
Parking lots and garages — Uneven surfaces, poor lighting, oil slicks, debris
Medical facilities — Hospitals, clinics, assisted living facilities
Entertainment venues — Bars, nightclubs, theaters, sports facilities
Cruise terminals — Port Everglades passenger areas, gangways, transportation hubs
Types of Slip and Fall Injuries
The injuries we see in Fort Lauderdale slip and fall cases are often severe:
- Broken bones — hip fractures, wrist fractures, ankle fractures (especially in older adults)
- Traumatic brain injuries — from striking your head on the floor or fixtures
- Spinal cord injuries — herniated discs, compression fractures, nerve damage
- Knee and shoulder injuries — torn ligaments, rotator cuff tears
- Chronic pain conditions — that persist long after the initial injury heals
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in Fort Lauderdale
- Report the incident — Notify a manager or employee immediately and insist on a written incident report
- Photograph everything — The hazard that caused your fall, your injuries, the surrounding area, any warning signs (or lack thereof)
- Get witness information — Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the fall
- Seek medical attention — Even if you feel okay, some injuries take hours or days to manifest
- Do NOT give recorded statements — The property owner’s insurer will contact you. Decline until you have an attorney.
- Contact Florida Advocates immediately — We send preservation letters the same day to prevent footage destruction
Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Resources
Hospitals & Trauma Centers
Broward Health Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)
1600 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4400
Holy Cross Hospital
4725 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 771-8000
Broward Health Imperial Point
6401 N Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: (954) 776-8500
Courts
Broward County Courthouse (17th Judicial Circuit)
201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
About Attorney Carlos D. Cabrera
Carlos D. Cabrera leads the Personal Injury Department at Florida Advocates. Before becoming an attorney, Carlos worked as insurance defense counsel — evaluating slip and fall claims and developing the arguments insurers use to deny them. That inside knowledge is what sets him apart.
Education
- J.D. — St. Thomas University College of Law (2000)
- Managing Editor, St. Thomas Law Review
- B.A. English — Florida International University (1994)
Bar Admissions
- The Florida Bar
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
Credentials & Recognitions
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum Member
- Florida Legal Elite Recognition
- Lead Counsel Verified (Appellate, since 2015)
- Former Insurance Defense Counsel
Carlos’s federal court admissions matter in commercial trucking cases. Many trucking cases end up in federal court — either because diversity jurisdiction applies (out-of-state trucking company) or because federal regulation questions create federal subject-matter jurisdiction. You need an Lawyer admitted to federal court to litigate at that level. Carlos is.
Learn more about Carlos D. Cabrera →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prove a slip and fall case in Fort Lauderdale?
Under Florida Statute 768.0755, you must prove the property owner had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. This means showing either that they knew about the hazard and failed to fix it, or that the hazard existed long enough that they should have discovered it through reasonable inspection procedures.
What if there is no surveillance footage of my fall?
Most businesses delete surveillance footage within 24-72 hours. If footage that should exist has been destroyed, we can argue spoliation of evidence — asking the court to draw negative inferences against the property owner. We send preservation letters immediately upon retention to prevent this.
What is a black box and why is it important in truck accident cases?
Commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs), commonly called black boxes, that record vehicle data including speed, braking, steering input, engine RPM, and crash event data. This data is critical evidence in proving what happened in the seconds before a crash. However, ECM data can be overwritten or destroyed if the truck is returned to service. We send spoliation letters to trucking companies the same day a client retains us to demand preservation of black box data, driver logs, and other evidence.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Florida follows modified comparative negligence. You can recover damages as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for slip and fall cases is two years from the date of injury. However, evidence disappears quickly — surveillance footage may be deleted within days. Contact an attorney immediately.
What does it cost to hire Florida Advocates?
Nothing unless we win. We handle slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis.
Serving Slip and Fall Victims Throughout Broward County
Florida Advocates represents slip and fall victims in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County, including:
Dania Beach — Office Location | Hollywood | Pembroke Pines | Coral Springs | Plantation | Pompano Beach | Hallandale Beach
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Slip and Fall Lawyer
If you were injured in a slip and fall at a Fort Lauderdale business, contact Florida Advocates today. Time is critical — surveillance footage may be deleted within 24-72 hours.
Call: 754-290-3803
Email: info@fladvocates.com
Call us for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we recover for you. After all, isn’t that what family would do?
Related Fort Lauderdale Practice Areas
- Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Hub
- Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer
- Slip and Fall Lawyer (Statewide)
Contact Us
Fill out the contact form or call us at 754-290-3803 to schedule your free consultation.
Free Consultation 
Available 24/7 
No Fees Unless You Win