Electrical devices used around water must be treated with extreme caution. When safety protocols are ignored, the consequences can be permanent.
In this case, our client suffered a serious and life-altering facial nerve injury due to an electrical explosion that never should have happened. While staying at a Florida hotel, he was near a large aquarium that used submersible lighting equipment—equipment that is designed to only be powered while underwater. Despite knowing this, hotel management allowed the light fixture to remain energized while outside of the water. The result was catastrophic: the electrical device exploded without warning, sending a powerful current and blast through the air and into our client’s face.
He was left with permanent nerve damage and ongoing pain. His life—and his health—were changed forever.
Establishing Liability in Complex Injury Cases Involving Electrical Hazards
The hotel refused to take responsibility for the explosion and instead pointed fingers at an unrelated outside contractor. At Dannheisser Injury Law, we immediately began a deep investigation into the root cause of the incident. Our legal team retained a nationally renowned electrical engineering expert to identify the precise failure and determine how the hotel’s decisions—and its failure to follow basic safety standards—led directly to our client’s injuries.
Over the course of litigation, we conducted more than 30 depositions and responded to multiple attempts by the hotel’s legal team to shift blame and avoid accountability. Ultimately, the evidence was clear. The hotel was responsible for allowing dangerous electrical conditions to exist in a space where guests expected to be safe.
$975,000 Settlement Secured for Permanent Facial Nerve Injury
After months of litigation and expert discovery, the hotel agreed to resolve the claim for $975,000—a fair settlement that reflected the seriousness of our client’s injury and the hotel’s negligence in failing to properly handle the aquarium lighting system.
Florida Premises Liability Law and the Importance of Expert Testimony
Under Florida premises liability law, property owners—especially businesses like hotels—are legally responsible for ensuring their premises are reasonably safe for guests and visitors. This includes properly managing any dangerous conditions, such as exposed electrical systems or malfunctioning equipment. When a business fails to warn or protect against foreseeable harm, it may be held liable for any injuries that result.
In complex cases involving technical failures or disputed responsibility, expert testimony can make the difference between winning and losing. In this case, our electrical engineering expert helped break through the hotel’s defenses and prove that the explosion was preventable.
Why Time Matters: Florida’s Premises Liability Statute of Limitations
In Florida, victims of premises liability accidents generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. While that might seem like plenty of time, key evidence—such as surveillance footage, maintenance logs, or witness recollections—can disappear quickly. It is critical to speak with an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
To learn more about how premises liability law works in Florida, visit our Sarasota premises liability lawyer page.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured because a business failed to maintain a safe property, we’re here to help. Call us at 941-365-7600 reach out through the contact form on our website, or chat with us live to speak with an experienced Sarasota injury lawyer today.
