Slip and Fall at a Doral Mall or Shopping Center: What You Must Prove
Doral is full of busy retail — from CityPlace Doral to the big-box stores and supermarkets along the main corridors. When a wet floor, spilled product, or broken walkway sends you to the ground, you may have a premises-liability claim. But Florida law puts a specific burden on the injured person, and knowing it is key.
A store is not automatically liable
Businesses must keep their premises reasonably safe, but a fall alone does not prove fault. For a slip on a “transitory foreign substance” — water, a dropped grape, cleaning fluid — Florida law (§768.0755) requires you to show the business knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to fix it.
Proving the store “should have known”
This “constructive knowledge” is often the heart of the case. It can be shown by evidence that the substance was there long enough that the store should have caught it, or that the spill happened so regularly the store should have had a procedure for it. Surveillance video, maintenance logs, and witness accounts become critical.
What to do at the scene
Report the fall to a manager and ask for a written incident report. Photograph the hazard immediately — before it’s cleaned up — along with the surrounding area and your injuries. Get witness contact information, and keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
Deadlines and comparative fault
Since the 2023 reform, the deadline for most negligence claims in Florida is two years. Your recovery can also be reduced by your share of fault, and under the 51% rule you recover nothing if found more than half at fault — so preserving evidence that the hazard, not you, caused the fall is essential.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue a Doral store just because I fell?
Not automatically. You generally must show the store knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it. That is why evidence like video and incident reports matters so much.
What should I photograph after a fall?
Photograph the hazard itself before it’s cleaned, the surrounding area, any warning signs (or lack of them), and your injuries. Also get the names of witnesses and staff.
How long do I have to file a slip-and-fall claim?
Most Florida premises-liability claims must be filed within two years of the fall under current law.
This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice. Every case is different. Alfredo J. Rubio Law, PLLC offers free, bilingual consultations — no fee unless we win. Contact us to discuss your Doral slip-and-fall.
