Olive Garden Restaurant Accidents

You may have the right to seek compensation if you were seriously injured while eating at Olive Garden in Fort Myers, whether from a fall, a parking lot hazard, or another unsafe condition. Florida law holds restaurant owners accountable when their negligence leads to preventable accidents. At Wolfson & Leon, we help people who are hurt in restaurant accidents get justice. Call 239-777-9954 for a free consultation. You won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.

Accidents in restaurants catch people off guard. One moment, you're enjoying a meal with family or friends, then suddenly, you're on the ground in pain or being taken to the ER. Unfortunately, these accidents are common, and many are completely preventable.

Olive Garden, a popular national chain owned by Darden Restaurants, is known for family dining, unlimited breadsticks, and Italian-American favorites. Its relaxed, busy dining atmosphere, often packed during lunch and dinner rush, can sometimes lead to safety issues. Dim lighting, spills, and tightly packed tables can all contribute to hazards.

You can find several Olive Garden restaurants located in or around the greater Fort Myers area:

• 12870 S. Cleveland Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33907
• 10020 University Plaza Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913
• 1910 Pine Island Road NE, Cape Coral, FL 33909

Restaurants like Olive Garden are prone to various accidents, especially during high-traffic hours. The most common include:

• Slip and falls caused by wet or greasy floors, food spills, or loose mats near entryways
• Trips and falls caused by tight aisles, low lighting, uneven flooring, or poorly placed furniture
• Parking lot accidents, including potholes, oil slicks, or collisions with other drivers
• Overserved alcohol may lead to intoxicated patrons causing harm to themselves or others
• Lack of proper security or safety, such as failure to break up fights or protect customers in the parking area

A busy Olive Garden during dinner service may have servers rushing between tables, crowded seating arrangements, and minimal visibility of hazards on the floor, all of which increase the chances of injury.

Restaurant injuries range from minor to life-changing. You could suffer:

• Sprained wrists or ankles
• Cuts or lacerations from broken glass
• Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries from hitting your head
• Broken bones, especially hips or arms, from a hard fall
• Spinal injuries or slipped discs
• Emotional distress or PTSD following severe trauma

If you were injured at a restaurant like Olive Garden, it’s critical to see a doctor right away, even if your injuries seem minor. Some symptoms don’t appear for hours or even days. More importantly, waiting to get medical help may damage your ability to recover compensation.

Under Florida law, restaurants like Olive Garden are required to keep their property reasonably safe their guests. This falls under the concept of premises liability. If a hazardous condition exists, such as a wet floor, poor lighting, or broken handrail and the business knew or should have known about it, they may be liable for injuries that result.

Restaurants like Olive Garden owe a duty of care to patrons. That responsibility includes:

• Regularly inspecting the property for hazards
• Cleaning up spills or messes promptly
• Fixing broken or dangerous conditions (such as torn carpeting)
• Posting warning signs when hazards can’t be immediately resolved
• Ensuring employees are trained in basic safety and emergency procedures

A restaurant or responsible party who fails to take these steps may be considered negligent.

If you've been badly hurt because of someone else's negligence, you can pursue compensation for the damages you've suffered. Compensation may include:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehab, or physical therapy
• Lost income, both past and future, if your injuries keep you from working
• Pain and suffering, including physical and emotional distress
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

You can gain a better idea of the scope of your losses by working with a personal injury attorney in Fort Myers.

Restaurant chains have insurance companies and legal teams working to protect them. By engaging a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer, their much-needed expertise is critical when gathering evidence, building your case, and dealing with insurers so you don't have to. They'll fight for the compensation you deserve—not just what the restaurant offers.

If you plan to pursue compensation for the damage suffered, Florida law now gives you two years (from the day of the accident) to file a personal injury claim. Don't wait! You may lose your right to seek compensation if you miss that deadline.

You can still have a valid claim. Businesses are generally responsible for maintaining all areas they control, including walkways, parking lots, and entrances.

If you or someone you love was seriously hurt at Olive Garden or another restaurant in Fort Myers, don’t try to deal with the insurance company alone. At Wolfson & Leon, we’ve been helping injury victims in Florida for over 60 years. We offer free consultations, and if we take your case, you don’t pay anything unless we win.

Call 239-777-9954 to speak with a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer who understands what you're going through - and how to help.