Florida Golf Course Lightning Injuries

Lightning Strikes and Golf Course Premises Liability in Florida

Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, experiencing thousands of cloud-to-ground strikes during summer afternoon storms. When golf courses fail to sound weather sirens or keep golfers on the course during active lightning threats, serious injuries or wrongful death can occur.

Operator Warning Systems and Duty of Care

While weather events are often considered "Acts of God," property owners can still face liability if they assume a safety duty and perform it negligently:

• Siren System Failure: If a course equips an automated lightning detection system, failing to maintain or sound it when lightning is detected creates actionable liability.
• Clubhouse Shelters: Failing to provide grounded lightning shelters or delaying course evacuation when storms approach.
• Promised Protections: Once a facility establishes a weather warning protocol, golfers rely on that system to seek safety in time.

Navigating Premises Claims

Proving course negligence requires weather radar data, maintenance records of detection equipment, and witness testimony confirming course staff failed to clear the fairways.

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim in Florida is two years (Fla. Stat. § 95.11).