Can You Sue After an Accident at TGI Friday’s in Miami?

Whether from a slip, trip, parking lot incident, or other hazard, if you've been seriously injured at a TGI Friday's restaurant in Miami, you may be entitled to compensation. Florida law requires property owners, including restaurants and bars, to maintain safe conditions for guests. If they fail to keep their property safe and someone gets hurt, the property’s owner or operator may be held legally responsible.

Have you been badly hurt while dining at TGI Fridays? Learn more about your legal rights when you call Wolfson & Leon at 305-285-1115 for a free consultation.

Miami is a hotspot for tourism and dining out, and that means crowded restaurants, busy parking lots, and higher risks of accidents. Areas like 33139 (South Beach), 33130 (Downtown), 33132 (Omni/Edgewater), 33172 (Doral), 33134 (Coral Gables), 33180 (Aventura), and 33186 (Kendall) see heavy foot traffic, especially during weekends and peak travel seasons.

Restaurants like TGI Friday's, which are often located in shopping centers or near tourist destinations, tend to get packed. More people, rushed staff, and tight seating arrangements can all contribute to unsafe conditions. Some of the most common safety concerns include wet floors, blocked walkways, poor lighting in parking lots, and broken furniture.

You can dine at TGI Friday’s located at:

• Miami International Airport, Gate D-36 Miami, FL 33122
• 14891 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach, FL 33181

Here are a few types of accidents we often see at restaurants like Friday's:

• Slip and falls, when floors are slick from spilled drinks, greasy food, or wet entryways or bathrooms
• Trips and falls due to tight seating, poorly placed furniture, or uneven flooring
• Parking lot accidents, including pedestrians being hit by moving vehicles or falls due to hidden curbs or potholes
• Poor outside lighting or lack of security, which can lead to assaults or falls

These accidents can happen quickly and without warning. For example, a guest may slip on a spilled drink that wasn’t cleaned up, or trip on a floor mat that has curled up near the entryway.

Injuries from restaurant accidents can range from mild to severe. Some people suffer sprains, cuts, or bruises if they slip or trip and fall. Others may experience more severe injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, or spinal damage that require surgery and ongoing care. In some of the most serious cases, injuries can be life-altering and affect your ability to work or enjoy daily life.

In Florida, premises liability law holds businesses like TGI Friday's responsible for maintaining safe conditions for their guests. If the restaurant fails to clean up a spill, fix a broken step, or provide adequate lighting, and someone gets hurt as a result, that restaurant could be held liable.

Compensation may include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Future medical treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

In some cases, there may be other parties who could share responsibility for the damage. For example, if the TGI Friday's is located in a shopping plaza, the property owner or management company might be liable for hazards in the parking lot or common areas if they are the result of negligence. Learn more about your legal rights by speaking with a premises liability attorney in Florida today.

Even if you’ve been badly hurt, restaurant injury claims aren’t always simple. Insurance companies often push back, especially if they think you contributed to the accident. You might be told there’s no video evidence, that you were clumsy or distracted, or that your injuries really aren’t that bad.

You may also face delays getting access to security footage or witness statements. Florida law places the burden on the victim to prove the business had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard and failed to fix it. This is why it helps to speak with an attorney who can gather evidence, deal with the restaurant’s insurance company, and protect your rights throughout the process.

If you or a loved one has been injured:

1. Report the incident to a manager and ask for a written copy of the report
2. Take photos or videos of the scene, including the hazard that caused the injury
3. Get medical attention as soon as possible. Delays in seeing a doctor could impact your ability to seek compensation if you’ve been badly hurt.
4. Collect names of any witnesses and their contact info
5. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Miami before speaking to the insurance company

How much compensation can I get for a restaurant accident?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical bills, time missed from work, and how the injury affects your life. Some cases settle for thousands, while others may reach six figures or more.

Is there a deadline to file a claim in Florida?
Yes. As of 2023, Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date of the accident (it was previously 4 years).

What if I slipped but didn’t report it right away?
You can still pursue a restaurant accident injury claim, but it may be more difficult. That’s why it’s critical to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Can I sue if the accident happened in the parking lot?
Yes, if the parking lot was poorly maintained or lacked proper lighting and that caused your injury, you may have a claim against the property owner or management company.

If you or a loved one has been badly hurt in a Friday's restaurant accident in Miami, don’t wait. You may be entitled to compensation. At Wolfson & Leon, we’ve been defending accident victims in Miami for more than 60 years. Call us now at 305-285-1115 for a free consultation or visit wolfsonlawfirm.com to learn more.

Let us help you get the answers, support, and compensation you deserve.