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Premises Liability Representation Serving Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer

Direct attorney representation for injuries at Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale Beach, and throughout Fort Lauderdale. Free, confidential consultation.

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Fort Lauderdale premises liability cases commonly involve hotels, nightlife venues, and beachfront properties. Prior incident history and adequate security measures are commonly central to these claims.
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Florida Bar Member Since 1989
2 YRS Statute of Limitations to File
14 DAYS To Seek Care for PIP Coverage
100,000+ Annual Boat Show Attendees

Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale's primary dining and shopping strip, and Fort Lauderdale Beach, a city-owned public beach along A1A, anchor a coastal community built around tourism, boating, and beach culture. Fort Lauderdale's mix of private retail and a heavily used public beach shapes what counts in a premises liability claim here.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after an injury at Las Olas Boulevard or another Fort Lauderdale property?+
Report the incident to property management or store staff immediately and request a written incident report. Photograph the hazard, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries before anything changes. Identify witnesses, since a busy commercial strip or beach commonly has staff and other visitors nearby who saw what happened. Seek medical care within 14 days even if the injury seems minor, to preserve PIP coverage.
Why does Fort Lauderdale Beach's city ownership change how a claim there gets handled?+
Fort Lauderdale Beach is governed directly by city ordinance and owned by the City of Fort Lauderdale, which means an injury there is governed by sovereign immunity under Fla. Stat. Section 768.28 rather than standard premises liability rules that apply to a private business. A written notice of claim must be sent to the city before a lawsuit can be filed, generally within 3 years of the injury, and recovery is capped at $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident. One detail is easy to miss. City ordinance allows certain beachfront hotels to hold a license to sell and serve food and alcohol directly on the public sand adjacent to their property. That means a hotel can be operating a for-profit beach bar service on land the city still owns. An injury tied to that hotel-run beach service is more probable to point toward the hotel as the licensed operator, while a hazard on an unlicensed stretch of sand still points back to the city.
What counts at a beachfront hotel like Bahia Mar?+
Bahia Mar, a longtime Fort Lauderdale landmark on A1A near the beach, and other beachfront hotels along the strip owe guests a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. That covers everything from guest room maintenance to pool area supervision and parking. Notice is in many cases the key question. Slip and falls near pool decks, inadequate security in parking areas, and poorly maintained walkways between a hotel and the beach are common sources of injury. A hotel's maintenance logs commonly become central evidence in proving the property knew about a hazard before the injury happened.
Why does Broward County's court system differ from Miami-Dade for a civil claim?+
A Fort Lauderdale premises liability lawsuit proceeds through the Broward County Courthouse, an entirely separate court system from the Miami-Dade courts that handle the rest of this firm's South Florida practice. The filing process, local rules, and judicial assignments differ between the two counties. Representation across both Miami-Dade and Broward requires familiarity with each county's particular court procedures, not just the underlying premises liability law, which is the same statewide.
How long do I have to seek medical care after a Fort Lauderdale premises liability injury?+
Florida's no-fault PIP system requires seeking care within 14 days of the injury for that treatment to be covered, regardless of how minor it seems at first. Missing that window can mean losing PIP coverage entirely, even for a legitimate injury.
What if I was partly at fault for my injury?+
A modified comparative negligence standard under HB 837 applies in Florida. Fault is assigned as a percentage, and a person found more than 50 percent at fault is barred from recovering anything. A person found 50 percent or less at fault can still recover, with the award reduced by their percentage of fault.
Could a negligent security claim apply at a Fort Lauderdale hotel or apartment complex?+
A negligent security claim in Fort Lauderdale depends on notice: did the property owner know, or reasonably should have known, about a risk of criminal activity, and fail to take adequate precautions. Prior incidents on the property generally drive these cases. Broken gate access, inadequate lighting in parking areas, and an ignored history of prior incidents are the kinds of details that generally support a claim, particularly along nightlife-heavy stretches of Las Olas or A1A. The property's security records and staffing history commonly become the central evidence in the case.
What about an injury during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at Bahia Mar?+
The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, held every fall and now in its 67th year, draws more than 100,000 attendees to Bahia Mar Yachting Center and six other waterfront venues along the Fort Lauderdale coastline. Bahia Mar sits at the center of it. As the show's central hub, Bahia Mar hosts extensive floating docks, exhibitor booths, and vendor tents alongside its normal hotel operations for the duration of the event. An injury tied to the hotel's standard property, like a guest room or the pool deck, still follows the same hotel duty of care already discussed above. An injury tied in particular to a show exhibit, a floating dock, or a vendor booth may instead point toward the boat show's organizer or a given exhibitor, depending on who controlled that particular space.
What about an injury at Riverwalk Park along the New River?+
Riverwalk Park, the mile-long linear park along the New River in downtown, is city-owned land, listed directly on the City of Fort Lauderdale's parks directory. A separate nonprofit runs the programming. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by the city in 1988, handles the park's beautification, events, and promotion, including festivals held in Esplanade Park and other spots along the walk. An injury tied to the underlying park property, like a walkway or lighting defect, points back to the city and the same sovereign immunity notice requirements that apply to the beach. An injury tied notably to a nonprofit-run event or festival may instead point toward Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale or a certain vendor at that event.
What about an injury at Port Everglades or aboard a cruise ship?+
Port Everglades, one of the world's busiest cruise ports, sits just south of the beach along the 17th Street Causeway. Where the injury happened carries more weight than almost anything else here. An injury inside the cruise terminal itself, in a parking area, or on a gangway before boarding can fall under standard premises liability, potentially involving Broward County as the port authority, a terminal operator, or a contractor. Once a passenger is aboard the ship, the legal framework changes entirely. Injuries on the vessel are generally governed by federal maritime law rather than Florida premises liability law, and most cruise tickets require any lawsuit to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami, with notice and filing deadlines commonly far shorter than Florida's standard two-year window. Sorting out precisely where the injury occurred is commonly the first, and most consequential, question in a Port Everglades case.
What if I was injured on a rented boat or jet ski in Fort Lauderdale?+
Fort Lauderdale is one of the busiest recreational boating regions in the country, with dozens of companies renting boats, jet skis, and other watercraft along the Intracoastal Waterway and New River. A rental company carries real, independent liability here. Beyond the boat operator's negligence, a rental or charter company can be held responsible for renting a vessel with a known mechanical defect, failing to provide required safety equipment, or renting to someone without adequate experience or training. Many rental companies require a signed liability waiver before a customer takes a boat out. Florida courts generally enforce these waivers, but they are not absolute, and a waiver commonly does not protect a company from negligence in maintaining the vessel or vetting the renter. Sorting out whether the injury came from operator error, a mechanical defect, or a failure by the rental company to screen or maintain the vessel is in many cases the central question in a case like this. See our full Boating Accidents page for the complete legal framework.
Florida Statute of Limitations
2
Years to File a Claim

The Clock Starts at the Injury

Florida's statute of limitations for a premises liability lawsuit runs 2 years from the date of the injury. Missing this deadline can permanently bar the claim, regardless of how strong the underlying facts are.

  • PIP coverage requires seeking medical care within 14 days of the injury
  • Missing the 14-day window can mean losing PIP coverage entirely
  • Government-owned property carries a separate, shorter notice requirement
  • Prior incident history generally determines whether a claim succeeds

Where Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Cases Happen

A handful of property types account for a disproportionate share of serious Fort Lauderdale premises liability cases.

01

Las Olas Boulevard

This walkable strip of boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries running from downtown to the beach sees a recurring pattern of trip and fall claims tied to sidewalk cafes and uneven pavers.

02

Fort Lauderdale Beach

This city-owned public beach along A1A draws heavy year-round tourist traffic, and injuries here fall under Florida's sovereign immunity framework rather than standard commercial premises rules.

03

Beachfront Hotels

Bahia Mar and other beachfront properties along A1A see premises claims tied to standard hotel duties: guest room safety, pool areas, and parking lot conditions.

A Public Beach Governed by City Ordinance

Fort Lauderdale Beach carries a truly particular regulatory structure. The public beach is governed directly by city ordinance, with the Fort Lauderdale city commission and city manager overseeing everything from beach vendor licenses to permitted activities on the sand. That level of direct municipal control carries weight for a claim, since an injury tied to beach maintenance, lifeguard staffing, or a permitted vendor operation may point back to the city rather than a private business, triggering Florida's sovereign immunity notice requirements before a lawsuit can even be filed.

A public beach still has an owner. When the City of Fort Lauderdale controls the sand, the notice rules that apply to any other government property apply here too.

What to Know About a Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Claim

  • Private retail and hotels carry a real duty of care: commercial property owners in Florida are required to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors and guests.
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach follows a sovereign immunity framework: a written notice of claim must be sent to the City of Fort Lauderdale before a lawsuit can be filed.
  • Florida requires medical care within 14 days: PIP coverage requires treatment within 14 days of the injury to remain available at all.
  • The claim deadline is two years: Florida's statute of limitations for a premises liability lawsuit runs two years from the date of the incident.
  • Comparative fault can reduce recovery: under Florida's HB 837 framework, being more than 50 percent at fault bars recovery entirely.
  • A Fort Lauderdale claim is heard in Broward County: a civil lawsuit here proceeds through the Broward County Courthouse, a separate court system from Miami-Dade.

Premises Liability

Legal framework →

Insurance Disputes

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Wrongful Death

Fatal injuries →

Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents

After a crash →

Fort Lauderdale DUI

Impaired driving →

The outcome of a Fort Lauderdale premises liability case depends on the particular property, the available evidence, and how quickly it gets preserved, and that requires a real review, not a guess. See our full Premises Liability page for the complete legal framework, or our Contingency Fee Guide for how fees work on a claim like this. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.

Related Practice Areas

Related Personal Injury Matters

A Fort Lauderdale premises liability case commonly overlaps with related personal injury and criminal defense areas.

Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents

If a crash was involved rather than a property hazard.

Learn More →

Fort Lauderdale DUI Defense

If a drunk driver was involved in the incident.

Learn More →

Insurance Disputes

Coverage and denial issues that arise after a claim is filed.

Learn More →

Personal Injury

All practice areas handled by the firm.

Learn More →

Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense

Full legal framework beyond this certain claim.

Learn More →
Speak With Andre

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The outcome of a Fort Lauderdale premises liability case depends on the particular venue, the available evidence of prior notice, and how quickly it gets preserved. The first consultation is free and confidential, with no obligation to retain.

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What Our Clients Say

Verified Google reviews from clients represented by the firm across Miami-Dade and South Florida. See our full client testimonials page for more.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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Absolutely recommend this law firm. They handled my case and I was amazed at the attention and information I got. I highly recommend them and will be using their services again.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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Andre is an exceptional lawyer.  Andre represented me in a civil case and did an exceptional job when I was told not to bother with a suit.  Andre succeeded, and I got my money back.  I send all my friends to Andre
  
 
  
 
 
 
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Andre has represented me, my family and friends on several legal matters. He is always available to provide sound, practical advice and more than willing and able to fight for you when necessary. It’s reassuring to have a qualified, experienced lawyer in my corner to protect me and my interests when I need it.

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As an attorney, I have often referred my clients to André for legal work that I myself cannot handle and everyone has always been very satisfied with his representation. I highly recommend him.

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Thanks Phil. A referral from a colleague who knows the work means a great deal to me. I take every case you send my way seriously, and I’m glad the clients were well served.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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I can always count on him. An honest lawyer.

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Extremely quick and efficient . My ticket was handed and I didn’t have to worry about it once. His staff is also super helpful giving multiple updates on the status

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It's great to hear you were pleased. We are happy we were able to take the burden off your shoulders and resolve your issue for you.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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An amazing attorney who gives every case the care and attention it deserves. His attention to detail is exceptional, and it’s clear that he takes pride in his work and truly cares about his clients. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for a dedicated, thorough, and attentive attorney!

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I highly recommend this law firm! I had a ticket, and they kept me updated and got it dismissed. Kaylee was my go-to for communication, and Andre is excellent at what he does.

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Thanks Daniel. I am glad we were able to resolve your issue.