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Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer
When Property Owners Fail to Maintain Safe Conditions — Serious Injuries Result
Property owners in Fort Lauderdale have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail — through negligent security, dangerous property conditions, inadequate maintenance, or failure to warn of hazards — and you are injured as a result, you have the right to hold them accountable.
Carlos D. Cabrera is a former insurance defense attorney who knows exactly how property owners and their insurers defend premises liability claims. He begins building the counter-strategy from day one.
Commercial Truck Cases Move Fast on Evidence and Slow on Settlement. We Move Fast Either Way.
| Case Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| The Situation | Our client, an out-of-state tourist visiting the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, was seriously injured due to a dangerous condition at the event venue. |
| Defendant’s Position | Carlos D. Cabrera met with the client in person the same day of the injury. We immediately documented the scene, preserved evidence, and began building the case before the client returned home. |
| Our Investigation | We recovered a high six-figure settlement — without litigation — by demonstrating clear liability and the full extent of our client’s damages. |
| The Result | Premises liability cases involving tourists require immediate action. Evidence disappears, witnesses scatter, and out-of-state clients need attorneys who will take decisive action from day one. |
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.
Types of Premises Liability Cases We Handle in Fort Lauderdale
Negligent Security
Property owners have a duty to provide reasonable security measures when criminal activity is foreseeable. This includes adequate lighting, security personnel, functioning locks, surveillance systems, and access controls. When they fail and you are the victim of an assault, robbery, or other crime, the property owner may be liable.
Common negligent security locations in Fort Lauderdale:
- Hotels and resorts
- Parking lots and garages
- Apartment complexes
- Shopping centers
- Nightclubs and bars
- ATM locations
Swimming Pool Accidents
Florida’s year-round swimming climate makes pool accidents tragically common. Property owners must maintain proper fencing, functioning drain covers, adequate supervision (where applicable), and safe pool conditions. Drownings and near-drownings can cause catastrophic brain injuries.
Elevator and Escalator Injuries
Malfunctioning elevators and escalators can cause serious injuries including falls, crushing injuries, and entrapment. Property owners and maintenance companies may be liable for failing to properly maintain and inspect this equipment.
Dog Bites
Under Florida Statute 767.04, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries — regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression. There is no “one free bite” rule in Florida.
Falling Objects
Merchandise, ceiling fixtures, construction materials, and other falling objects can cause serious head injuries. Property owners must properly secure items and warn of overhead hazards.
Dangerous Property Conditions
This includes uneven flooring, broken stairs, missing handrails, inadequate lighting, exposed wiring, and other hazardous conditions that the property owner knew or should have known about.
Visitor Status Matters: Invitee, Licensee, or Trespasser
Florida law imposes different duties depending on your status when you entered the property:
Invitees (customers, hotel guests, business visitors) — Property owners owe the highest duty of care: to inspect the premises and correct or warn of any dangerous conditions.
Licensees (social guests) — Property owners must warn of known dangerous conditions that are not obvious.
Trespassers — Property owners generally owe no duty except to refrain from intentional harm. However, Florida’s attractive nuisance doctrine creates special duties when children are involved — such as requiring pool fencing even when children are trespassing.
Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Statistics
Broward County sees thousands of premises injuries annually across hotels, retail stores, restaurants, and residential properties. Fort Lauderdale’s tourism economy — with millions of visitors each year — creates elevated exposure to premises hazards.
| Broward County Data (2023) | Number |
|---|---|
| Unintentional fall injuries | Thousands annually |
| Dog bite incidents | Hundreds annually |
| Drowning/near-drowning | Dozens annually |
What to Do After a Premises Injury in Fort Lauderdale
- Report the incident — Notify management and insist on a written incident report
- Photograph the hazard — Document exactly what caused your injury before it is corrected
- Photograph your injuries — Document visible injuries immediately and as they develop
- Get witness information — Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the incident
- Seek medical attention — Document your injuries with medical records
- Do NOT give recorded statements — Decline until you have an attorney
- Contact Florida Advocates immediately — We preserve surveillance footage before it is deleted
Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Resources
Hospitals & Trauma Centers
Broward Health Medical Center (Level I Trauma Center)
1600 S Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 355-4400
Memorial Regional Hospital (Level I Trauma Center)
3501 Johnson Street, Hollywood, FL 33021
Phone: (954) 987-2000
Courts
Broward County Courthouse 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: (954) 831-6565
About Attorney Carlos D. Cabrera
Frequently Asked Questions
What is premises liability?
Premises liability is the legal principle that property owners and occupiers have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail in this duty and someone is injured, the property owner may be held liable for damages.
What types of injuries fall under premises liability?
Premises liability covers a wide range of injuries including slip and falls, negligent security (assaults, robberies), swimming pool accidents, elevator and escalator injuries, dog bites, falling objects, inadequate lighting injuries, and dangerous property conditions.
Does Florida have strict liability for dog bites?
Yes. Under Florida Statute 767.04, dog owners are strictly liable for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog has a history of aggression. There is no “one free bite” rule in Florida.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Florida?
Two years from the date of the accident under Florida’s modified statute of limitations. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death. However, evidence preservation is the more urgent deadline. Trucking companies are not required to preserve driver logs, ECM data, or maintenance records indefinitely. Some records can be legally destroyed within months. Contact an Lawyer within days of the crash, not weeks.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury. However, evidence like 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 premises liability cases on a contingency fee basis.
Serving Premises Liability Victims Throughout Broward County
Florida Advocates represents premises liability victims in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County, including:
Dania Beach — Office Location | Hollywood| Pembroke Pines | Coral Springs| Plantation
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer
If you were injured on someone else’s property in Fort Lauderdale, contact Florida Advocates today for a free consultation.
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?
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