Your Legal Rights After a Restaurant Accident at Chili’s

If you were seriously hurt while dining at a Chili’s restaurant in Miami, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Restaurant accidents like slips and falls, parking lot incidents, or alcohol-related injuries can lead to steep medical bills, lost wages, and long-term pain. This guide will help you understand your rights under Florida law and explain what steps to take after a restaurant injury. If you’re unsure where to start, the Miami accident attorneys at Wolfson & Leon are here to help. Call them now at 305-285-1115 and get started on your way to full and fair compensation.

Restaurants like Chili’s are designed for comfort and fun. With sizzling fajitas, happy hour margaritas, and family-friendly seating, it’s no surprise they’re packed on evenings and weekends. But these same features can make restaurants a hotbed for accidents:

• Spilled drinks near the bar
• Crowded walkways with servers moving quickly
• Dim lighting in dining areas
• Slippery floors or poorly maintained bathrooms

According to the National Floor Safety Institute, over 3 million food service workers and 1 million patrons are injured each year in slip and fall accidents in the U.S. Many of these incidents are preventable — and when a restaurant fails to maintain a safe environment, they may be held legally responsible.

Like many busy chain restaurants, Chili’s locations in Miami can present a variety of hazards to customers. Accidents can happen both inside the dining area, restrooms and outside in the parking lot.

• Beacon Center: 8696 NW 13th Terrace, Miami, FL 33126
• Coral Reef: 15200 SW 127^th Avenue, Miami, FL 33177
• Kendall: 11900 SW 88^th Street, Miami, FL 33186
• Bayside Miami: 401 Biscayne Blvd N212, Miami, FL 33132

1. Slips and falls on spilled drinks or sauce, wet entryways, or freshly mopped floors and restrooms
2. Trips and falls caused by loose rugs, uneven surfaces, or poorly placed furniture
3. Parking lot accidents due to cracked pavement, poor lighting, or unmarked hazards
4. Alcohol-related injuries from overserved patrons causing fights or drunk driving
5. Lack of security or maintenance, such as broken handrails or non-working lights

Restaurant injuries can range from inconvenient to catastrophic:

• Minor cuts and bruises
• Sprained ankles or wrists
• Broken bones, especially hips or arms
• Head injuries or concussions
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Burns from hot food or spilled coffee

In some cases, victims may suffer permanent disability or psychological trauma, especially when an incident involves violence or negligence.

Florida law places responsibility on businesses to maintain safe premises. This includes Chili’s and other restaurants. Under premises liability law in Florida, restaurants must:

• Regularly inspect for hazards
• Fix dangerous conditions promptly
• Warn customers of known dangers (e.g., using wet floor signs)

To pursue a claim, you must show:

1. Chili’s owed you a duty of care (as a customer, it does)
2. Chili’s breached that duty by acting negligently
3. That negligence caused your injury
4. You suffered measurable damages (medical bills, lost income, etc.)

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are partly at fault — for example, texting while walking — your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not be entitled to any recovery. That is why it is so important to get legal help as soon as possible so that a thorough investigation can take place.

If you’ve been hurt due to a restaurant’s negligence, you may be eligible for financial recovery. Compensation may include:

• Medical bills (past and future)
• Lost wages while you recover
• Pain and suffering
• Disability or loss of future income
• Emotional distress
• Wrongful death damages (in fatal cases)

The exact amount depends on the severity of your injury, how clearly liability can be proven, and whether you were partially at fault.

1. How long do I have to file a restaurant injury lawsuit in Florida?

Florida law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

• Report the injury to the manager
• Take photos of the scene and any visible injuries
• Get contact information for witnesses
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Contact a restaurant injury attorney in Florida

3. Can I sue Chili’s if I fell in the parking lot?

Yes, if the accident was caused by a hazardous condition the restaurant should have fixed or warned about. There may also be a cause of action against the property owner as well. If another vehicle is involved, that drivers insurance may be available.

4. What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

You may still be able to recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault under Florida’s comparative negligence rule. That rule and law was modified to hold that if a claimant is found to be more than 50% at fault then they will be barred from any recovery.

5. Do I need a lawyer to handle a restaurant accident claim?

While you’re not required to get legal help, a Miami slip and fall lawyer can assist you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.

If you were seriously injured in a Chili’s restaurant accident in Miami, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Wolfson & Leon has been helping injured victims across Florida for more than 60 years. We understand how to build strong cases, deal with restaurant chains, and fight for fair compensation.

Call us today at 305-285-1115 for a free consultation. We don’t charge any fees unless we recover for you.