If you slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may think the property owner is automatically responsible for your injuries. But Florida law requires more than just proving that you got hurt. You also have to show that the owner knew—or should have known—about the dangerous condition that caused your fall. A recent decision by Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal shows just how important it is to include this kind of detail in your legal claim.
Why This Slip and Fall Case Was Dismissed
In the case that was recently decided, someone who fell tried to sue the property owner. However, the lawsuit didn’t explain how the owner knew about the dangerous condition or even whether the condition had been there long enough that they should have known about it. Because the complaint was missing these details, the court threw the case out before it could move forward.
This case is a reminder that if you’ve been injured in a fall, it’s not enough to say the floor was wet or the area was unsafe. You need to explain what made it dangerous and why the property owner should be held responsible. That could mean showing that the hazard had been there for a while, that it had happened before, or that the property owner failed to check or clean the area.