Badly Hurt at Olive Garden in Cape Coral

A dinner at Olive Garden should be about enjoying pasta and good company, not the shock of hitting the ground. Every year, more than 8 million people end up in the ER because of slips, trips, and falls, according to the NFSI. And restaurants are a common hot spot, where wet floors, spilled drinks, and dim lighting can turn a quick bite into a serious injury.

If you've been injured at Olive Garden, you may have legal rights. At Wolfson & Leon, we help Cape Coral residents understand their options and fight for what they deserve. For a free review of your case, you can speak with a Cape Coral slip and fall attorney when you call 239-471-0714 today.

Olive Garden offers a cozy, family-style experience, complemented by high foot traffic, attentive wine service, and dim lighting, particularly during dinner and weekend hours. That atmosphere makes it easy for spills to occur and harder for guests to see hazards. Add crowded seating, wet floors from tracking in rain, and busy parking areas to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe where an accidental fall can happen, and it only takes seconds to become a serious injury.

Here are three Olive Garden restaurants in and around Cape Coral:

1. Olive Garden – Fort Myers: 10020 University Plaza Drive - Gulf Coast Town Center, Fort Myers, FL 33913
2. Olive Garden – Fort Myers: 12870 Cleveland Ave Fort Myers, FL 33907
3. Olive Garden – Cape Coral: 1910 Pine Island Road, NE, Cape Coral, FL 33909

These locations are busy. That means more spills, crowded walkways, busy parking lots, especially near entryways, where a fall can result in serious harm.

Several situations at Olive Garden can turn a simple night out into an unexpected injury:

• Wet floors from spills, rainy foot traffic, or freshly mopped surfaces
• Loose mats or rugs in entryways that bunch underfoot
• Dim lighting hiding steps, transitions, or defects in flooring
• Crowded aisles, increasing the chance of collisions and spills
• Parking lot hazards, like potholes, uneven pavement, or unlit areas
• Lack of safety measures, including unsecured rugs, missing warnings, or poor lighting

With such risks, prevention requires careful attention, but unfortunately, that isn’t always the case at busy restaurants.

When a fall happens, the consequences can range in severity:

• Minor bruises, sprains, and soft-tissue damage
• Broken wrists, ankles, or hips, especially in older adults
• Head injuries or concussions, which may not show symptoms immediately
• Neck or back injuries, which often require weeks of treatment
• Emotional trauma from the shock and aftermath of a serious restaurant accident

Even if your injury seems mild, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial not only for your health but also to support any potential legal claim.

Under Florida law, owners and operators of businesses, such as Olive Garden, are required to maintain a safe environment for their guests. If they don't - and that failure causes an injury - the owners or operators may be held responsible.

You must prove:

1. The restaurant had a duty to keep the premises safe
2. They breached that duty (by allowing hazards to exist)
3. That breach caused your injury
4. You suffered damages (medical bills, missed work, pain)

Remember, liability may involve multiple parties, such as the franchisee, property owner, or cleaning crews.

Large restaurant chains have teams working to minimize payouts. If your injury is severe, legal guidance is essential:

• Corporate insurance companies may deny or undervalue your claim
• Multiple parties may need to share responsibility
• When injuries are severe, it takes experienced professionals to truly understand what they're worth; including the full cost of medical care, long-term treatment, and the lasting impact on your life.

A knowledgeable premises liability lawyer in Florida will manage the legal process, preserve evidence, collect statements, and advocate for proper compensation.

You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. Acting fast ensures evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.

Florida follows a comparative fault standard. If you share less than 51% of the blame, you could still recover compensation. However, the amount you've been awarded will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Yes. Falls caused by cracked pavement, missing handrails, poor lighting, or lack of security can be the basis for claims, especially if the area is controlled by Olive Garden or its property manager.

Absolutely. Responsible parties may include the restaurant franchisee, property owner, mall or plaza management, and even maintenance contractors.

Yes. A free consultation can help you understand your options and responsibilities. You’re under no obligation. You might discover you have more rights to pursue a case than you realize.

If you’ve been badly hurt at Olive Garden, whether inside the restaurant or in the parking lot, don't face the fallout alone. Wolfson & Leon has over six decades of experience helping Cape Coral injury victims. We offer free consultations and work under a contingent fee arrangement, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call 239-471-0714 today to speak with a Cape Coral personal injury attorney.