Miami is packed with fantastic restaurants of all kinds, so it’s no surprise that residents are constantly dining out. According to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Miami-Dade County has thousands of licensed food service establishments, one of the highest concentrations in Florida. This high density of restaurants means that, while most dining experiences are safe and enjoyable, the sheer volume of customer traffic creates more opportunities for accidents and food safety incidents to occur.
Restaurant accidents aren’t as common as other types of accidents, but they are still a very real possibility. If you’ve been injured or gotten sick at a restaurant, you need an experienced Miami restaurant liability lawyer on your side. Contact Aigen Injury Law to learn how we can help.
Causes of Restaurant Accidents in Miami
Restaurants offer diners both food and ambiance, and because of this, those who own and work at them must take rigorous care to ensure the safety of all who eat there. In some cases, this simply doesn’t happen and diners sustain serious injuries or are otherwise harmed.
Some of the most common causes and types of restaurant accidents/injuries are:
- Food poisoning
- Burns
- Dim lighting
- Unsafe restaurant parking lots
- Inadequate security
- Dangerous stairways
- Spilled liquids leading to slips and falls
Restaurant accidents in Miami are influenced by some unique local factors. Our tropical climate means frequent afternoon thunderstorms that can create slippery entrances. The city’s vibrant nightlife culture often combines alcohol service with dining, increasing fall risks. Additionally, South Florida’s diverse international cuisine features more tableside cooking and flaming presentations than most American cities, elevating burn risks.
Recent Restaurant Accidents in Miami
Several notable incidents highlight some unseen dangers Miami restaurant patrons face:
- In June 2025, a gas leak caused an explosion at a Florida City restaurant on its grand opening day, hospitalizing the owner with serious injuries. The neighboring smoke shop filed a negligence lawsuit against both the restaurant and gas company.
- In May 2025, a Wendy’s employee in Oakland Park accidentally crashed his car into the restaurant where he worked, causing structural damage and injuring two customers who were dining inside.
- In April 2025, the owner of a Florida City restaurant was hospitalized after a strip mall explosion on the grand opening day, which investigators attributed to a gas leak.
These cases demonstrate how quickly a pleasant dining experience can turn dangerous through negligent practices or inadequate safety measures.
Miami Resources for Restaurant Injury Victims
If you’ve been injured at a Miami restaurant, these local resources can come in handy:
Medical Facilities
- Jackson Memorial Hospital: Miami’s largest public hospital with a Level 1 Trauma Center
- University of Miami Hospital: A leading academic medical center
- Mercy Hospital: Located in Coconut Grove with emergency services
- Baptist Health South Florida: Multiple locations throughout Miami-Dade County
- Mount Sinai Medical Center: Serving Miami Beach and surrounding areas
Reporting Resources
- Miami-Dade County Department of Health: Report foodborne illness incidents
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation: Check restaurant inspection records and file complaints
- Miami Police Department: For filing and obtaining accident reports
Pursuing Damages
When bringing a claim against a restaurant, injured parties must have evidence to prove that they were harmed due to no fault of their own. Most restaurants carry insurance, and their insurance companies will do everything they can to deny you the full compensation you deserve.
This compensation could include both economic and non-economic damages, such as the cost of your medical bills or lost wages, as well as compensation for pain and suffering, the loss of enjoyment of life, and more. If you believe you have a valid claim against a restaurant, our Miami restaurant liability lawyers can help you collect and present evidence to satisfy the burden of proof in your personal injury claim.
Restaurant surveillance footage, witness testimony, medical documentation, and a copy of the police report (if police were called to the scene) are all strong ways to improve a person’s chances of winning a personal injury claim.
Contact a Miami Restaurant Liability Lawyer
Our firm prides itself on helping accident victims when they need it most. Serious injuries can happen just about anywhere, including in restaurants, and when people are hurt, they need a law firm they can depend on to fight for them when it counts. Contact Aigen Injury Law today to schedule your free initial consultation.