Large jury awards—often called nuclear verdicts—are becoming more common, and a recent case in Florida is a powerful reminder of how quickly a simple maintenance issue can turn into a multimillion dollar liability claim.
In late 2024, a Florida jury awarded more than $11.3 million to a shopper who fractured her ankle after tripping on an uneven curb in a Target parking lot. Jurors found the retailer 90% at fault, citing abrupt elevation changes and building code violations. The verdict was more than 45 times the pre trial settlement offer.
While this case involved a national retailer, the lesson applies to every business, large or small: slip and fall incidents remain one of the most frequent and costly liability exposures.
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Why Slip-and-Fall Claims Are Rising
Industry experts point to several factors driving higher verdicts:
• Social inflation and shifting jury attitudes
• Litigation funding, which encourages larger claims
• Rising medical costs
• Increased scrutiny of property maintenance and safety practices
Retailers aren’t the only ones affected. Recent lawsuits have targeted nonprofits, resorts, and even concession operators at national parks. Any business with foot traffic faces similar risks.
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Where Hazards Often Occur
Parking lots, walkways, and entrances are among the most common areas for slip and fall injuries. Issues like:
• Uneven curbs
• Poor lighting
• Cracked pavement
• Unmarked elevation changes
• Wet or icy surfaces
can quickly escalate into claims that exceed standard liability limits.
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Insurance Coverage That Protects Your Business https://www.insurance-financial.net/general-liability-insurance/
A Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy is designed to respond to third party bodily injury and property damage claims—including slip and falls. However, with jury awards climbing, many businesses need more than the typical $1M–$2M limits.
That’s where Excess Liability (Umbrella) Insurance becomes essential. It provides an additional layer of protection when a claim exceeds your primary policy limits.
Some carriers are tightening terms due to the rise in nuclear verdicts, including:
• Reduced available limits
• More exclusions (including water related slip hazards)
• Stricter underwriting requirements
• Removal of medical payments coverage
This makes it even more important to work with an experienced agency that can navigate the changing market.
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Risk Control Measures That Make a Difference
Insurance carriers increasingly want to see strong safety and maintenance practices, such as:
• Routine inspections of parking lots and walkways
• Clear marking of curbs, steps, and elevation changes
• Adequate lighting
• Written logs of inspections and repairs
• Formal hazard reporting procedures
• Proper risk transfer agreements with contractors (including additional insured status)
Good documentation not only helps prevent accidents—it can also help secure better insurance terms and pricing.
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Protect Your Business Before a Claim Happens
Slip and fall incidents are one of the most common liability claims across all industries. As verdicts grow and carriers tighten their guidelines, having the right coverage and risk control practices in place is more important than ever.
At Connie Phillips Insurance, we help businesses of every size and industry secure the General Liability and Excess Liability protection they need—along with guidance on risk management and safety best practices.
If you’d like a coverage review or want to strengthen your liability protection, our team is here to help. https://www.insurance-financial.net/commercial-insurance/