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Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer
A broken staircase at a condo. A dark parking garage where an assault happened. An unfenced pool, a collapsed balcony, a spill no one cleaned up. Florida property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe, and when they do not, Shiner Law Group helps injured people across Broward County hold them accountable, with no fee unless we win.
On This Page — Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyer Guide
Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability Lawyers
Last reviewed: October 2026
- Property owners and managers must keep their premises reasonably safe and warn of hidden dangers they know or should know about.
- For slip-and-falls in a business, Florida requires proof the business knew or should have known of the dangerous condition (Fla. Stat. § 768.0755).
- Negligent security claims can arise when inadequate lighting, locks, or security allowed a foreseeable crime.
- Report the incident, photograph the hazard right away, and ask the property to preserve its video.
Premises liability covers injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. In Fort Lauderdale, that includes hotels and resorts along the beach, condo towers and apartment complexes, restaurants and bars, grocery stores and shopping centers, marinas, parking garages, and private homes with pools. The owner, the management company, a security contractor, or a maintenance company may all share responsibility.
Falls are the most common premises injury. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates more than 3 million emergency department visits in 2024 involving stairs, ramps, landings, and floors alone. Broward County also has a large older population, with roughly 1 in 5 residents aged 65 or older, and a fall that seems minor can cause a hip fracture or brain injury that changes a life.
Shiner Law Group has represented injured Floridians since 2002 and has recovered more than $500 million for our clients. We investigate maintenance and inspection records, prior complaints and incidents, building and safety codes, and security practices to prove what the owner knew. For falls inside stores and restaurants, see our Fort Lauderdale slip and fall lawyers.
Property Injuries by the Numbers
Figures from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Florida Statutes. CPSC counts injuries associated with products and structures; association alone does not prove fault.
Estimated U.S. emergency department visits involving stairs, ramps, landings, and floors in 2024.
U.S. deaths from falls associated with consumer products in 2023, more than 70% of all product-associated deaths.
Of Broward County’s roughly 2 million residents are 65 or older, the age group most at risk from serious falls.
Business slip-and-fall claims require proof of actual or constructive knowledge of a transitory foreign substance.
Multifamily property owners who substantially implement listed security measures get a presumption against liability for criminal acts.
Types of Premises Liability Cases
Common premises cases we handle in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Slip, trip & fall
Wet floors, spills, loose mats, broken stairs and handrails, uneven sidewalks, and poor lighting in stores, restaurants, hotels, and condos.
Negligent security
Assaults and shootings in apartment complexes, hotels, bars, and parking garages where lighting, locks, cameras, or guards were inadequate.
Pool & drowning injuries
Missing fences or gates, broken drain covers, no lifeguard where one was promised, and slippery pool decks at hotels, condos, and homes.
Balcony, elevator & structural failures
Collapsed railings and balconies, malfunctioning elevators and escalators, and falling objects from poorly maintained buildings.
Dog bites on property
Florida’s dog-bite statute makes owners liable for bites, and landlords or property managers may share responsibility in some cases.
Hazards at marinas & docks
Rotting boards, missing rails, poor lighting, and unsafe walkways at marinas, boat ramps, and waterfront venues.
Florida Premises Liability Law
The rules that decide who is responsible on Florida property.
Duty depends on why you were there
Owners owe invited guests and customers the duty to keep the property reasonably safe and to warn of concealed dangers they know or should know about. Duties to trespassers are more limited.
Business slip-and-falls
A person who slips on a transitory foreign substance in a business must prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge, shown by how long the condition existed or that it happened regularly.
Multifamily security
Apartment and condo owners who substantially implement required measures, such as cameras, lighting, and a recent crime-prevention assessment, get a presumption against liability. The owner bears the burden of proving it.
Comparative fault
Owners often argue the injured person was not watching. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover, reduced by your share.
Government property
Injuries on city, county, or state property involve sovereign immunity limits and require written notice before suit.
Filing deadline
Most premises claims must be filed within 2 years of the injury. Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within 2 years of the death.
What to Do After a Property Injury
Get medical care
Call 911 for serious injuries and see a doctor promptly. Tell the provider exactly how you were hurt.
Report it in writing
Notify the manager, front desk, or property owner, and ask for a copy of the incident report.
Photograph the hazard now
Conditions get fixed fast. Photograph the spill, broken step, lighting, signage, and your shoes and clothing.
Ask for the video
Ask the property, in writing, to preserve all surveillance video. Many systems overwrite footage within days or weeks.
Get witness information
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the incident or the hazard beforehand.
Talk to a lawyer before giving statements
Property insurers often call quickly. Do not give a recorded statement or sign a release before getting advice.
Visit or Call Shiner Law Group
Serving people injured on unsafe property throughout Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.
Shiner Law Group — Fort Lauderdale
6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(954) 999-9900 · Available 24/7
Can’t come to us? We offer home, hospital, and video consultations anywhere in Broward County.
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Fort Lauderdale Premises Liability FAQ
How much does a Fort Lauderdale premises liability lawyer cost?
Nothing upfront. Shiner Law Group handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (954) 999-9900 for a free, confidential case review, available 24/7.
What is premises liability in Florida?
Premises liability is the legal responsibility of property owners and those who control property to keep it reasonably safe. If an unsafe condition they knew or should have known about caused your injury, you may have a claim against the owner, a management company, or another responsible party.
How common are fall injuries?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates 3,046,000 emergency department visits in 2024 involving stairs, ramps, landings, and floors, and 41,960 U.S. deaths from falls associated with consumer products in 2023. In Broward County, about 19.5% of residents are 65 or older, the age group most at risk from serious falls.
Do I have to prove the business knew about the spill?
Yes, in most business slip-and-fall cases. Under Fla. Stat. § 768.0755, you must show the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. Constructive knowledge can be shown by how long the condition existed or by evidence that it happened regularly.
Can I sue a property owner if I was attacked on their property?
Possibly. Negligent security claims arise when an owner failed to take reasonable security measures against a foreseeable crime. For apartments and condos, Fla. Stat. § 768.0706 gives owners who substantially implement listed security measures a presumption against liability, so the property’s actual security record matters.
How long do I have to file a premises liability claim in Florida?
Most claims must be filed within two years of the injury under Fla. Stat. § 95.11. Claims involving government property require written notice much sooner, so contact a lawyer as early as possible.
Where is Shiner Law Group’s Fort Lauderdale office?
Our Fort Lauderdale office is at 6750 N Andrews Ave Suite 200 #2062, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Call (954) 999-9900 any time, day or night.
Injured on Unsafe Property? Talk to Us Today.
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This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Statistics are cited to the public sources noted and may be preliminary or revised. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. Attorneys at Shiner Law Group are Members of The Florida Bar. Shiner Law Group — Accident & Injury Lawyers. Attorney Advertising.