{"id":39063,"date":"2026-09-05T01:42:34","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T01:42:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/slip-and-fall\/slip-and-fall-statute-of-limitations-florida\/"},"modified":"2026-10-02T15:46:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T15:46:46","slug":"slip-and-fall-statute-of-limitations-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/slip-and-fall\/slip-and-fall-statute-of-limitations-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Slip and Fall<\/p>

Know Your Deadline: Florida's Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations<\/h1>

You have a limited window to file a claim after a slip and fall injury. Understand the timeline and protect your right to compensation.<\/p>

Get a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div>
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By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published September 05, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Florida Slip and Fall Statute of Limitations: Your 2-Year Deadline Explained<\/h2>\n

You have two years from the date of your fall<\/strong> to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Florida. Once that deadline passes, you lose your right to sue\u2014even if the property owner was clearly negligent and your injuries are serious. Understanding when the clock starts, what exceptions might apply, and why speed matters can mean the difference between recovering compensation and losing your claim entirely.<\/p>\n\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Two-Year Deadline: Florida Statute \u00a7 95.11(3)(a)<\/h2>\n

Florida Statute \u00a7 95.11(3)(a)<\/a> sets a two-year deadline to file a slip-and-fall lawsuit on private property. This applies to falls at grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, apartment complexes, parking lots, shopping centers, and any other location where a property owner failed to maintain safe conditions.<\/p>\n

Missing this deadline means losing your right to sue. It doesn’t matter how strong your claim is or how serious your injuries are.<\/p>\n

The statute applies to premises liability cases\u2014the legal term for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property. If you slipped on a wet floor, tripped on a broken step, fell in a poorly lit parking lot, or were injured by any other hazard the property owner should have fixed or warned about, the two-year deadline applies.<\/p>\n

When Does the Clock Start?<\/h2>\n

The statute of limitations begins on the date of the fall itself<\/strong>. If you slip on January 15, you have until January 15 two years later to file your lawsuit. That deadline is firm and does not move.<\/p>\n

Florida law recognizes a “discovery rule” in some cases. If your injury was not immediately apparent\u2014for example, if you fell but didn’t realize you had a serious back injury until weeks later\u2014the clock may start on the date you discovered the injury. Or it may start when you reasonably should have discovered it.<\/p>\n

This exception is narrow and requires specific circumstances. Don’t assume it applies to your situation without speaking to an attorney.<\/p>\n

Documenting the exact date of your fall is critical.<\/strong> Keep medical records, incident reports, photographs, and any written communication about the fall. These documents establish when your deadline began and help prove the timeline of your injury.<\/p>\n

Why Speed Matters: Evidence Disappears Fast<\/h2>\n

The deadline matters because evidence disappears fast\u2014and property owners know it.<\/p>\n

Security footage at commercial properties is typically deleted after 30 to 90 days. Witness memories fade. The hazard that caused your fall may be repaired or removed. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to prove what happened and who was responsible.<\/p>\n

Real-world example:<\/strong> A grocery store’s security system overwrites footage every 60 days. If you wait three months to request video of your fall, it’s already gone. Without that footage, proving the wet floor existed and the store failed to clean it or post a warning becomes much harder. Witness statements become vague. Your case weakens.<\/p>\n

Early action protects your claim in practical ways:<\/p>\n