5 Things International Tourists Need to Know If They Are Injured in Florida
Florida has long been a leading destination for tourists and business travelers. And while about 92 percent of Florida’s visitors come from elsewhere within the United States, there are also about 3.4 million international travelers who came to the state during the second quarter of 2025, according to a recent press release by Visit Florida.
Most overseas visitors enjoy their time in Florida without incident. But some will suffer some form of personal injury, whether in a car accident, on a cruise, or even while shopping at a mall. If you are an international tourist who is harmed through the reckless or deliberate act of someone else while visiting Florida, here are a few things you need to know about seeking compensation under the law.
- You Have the Same Rights as American Citizens
When it comes to personal injury law, it does not matter where you are from. You do not have to be a resident of Florida, or even a citizen of the United States, to file a personal injury lawsuit in the State of Florida. Generally speaking, if you are injured within Florida, this state’s courts can still exercise jurisdiction over your personal injury case.
- There Is a Deadline to File a Personal Injury Case
Florida has a rule known as the “statute of limitations,” which sets a deadline to file any personal injury lawsuit in state court. In most cases, that deadline is two years from the date of your accident or when the injury occurred.
- You Can Still Receive Compensation Even If You Were Partly to Blame
Personal injury is not an “all or nothing” proposition in Florida. Like most U.S. states, Florida follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule in personal injury cases. Basically, this means that even if a judge or jury determines that you were partly to blame for your accident, as long as you are not found more than 50 percent at-fault, the person who injured you still owes you some money.
- Special Rules May Apply If You Were Injured on a Cruise
Many international visitors come to Florida specifically to take a cruise. If you are injured in a shipboard accident, special rules may apply if you need to file a personal injury claim against the cruise operator. Most cruise ship tickets contain language that limits your time to file a lawsuit to just one year and specify the case must be heard by a particular court, usually the federal district court in Miami.
- You Need to Work with a Local Personal Injury Lawyer
There are a few basic steps you should always take if you are an international tourist injured while in Florida. First, seek immediate medical attention. Second, if your injury occurred on someone else’s property–a resort, a cruise ship, et cetera–make sure you notify the management of your accident. And third, contact an experienced Miami personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
At Pita Weber Del Prado, our trial attorneys proudly represent accident victims from all over the world. Our team speaks multiple languages and is here to help you.
Source:
visitflorida.org/about-us/media/news-releases/article-details/?releaseId=21269
