Over 40k USD/ 80K BZD awarded to vendor in precedent-setting slip & fall suit in Belize

Tue, December 16, 2025

Ever had an accident slipping and maybe falling at a business establishment – perhaps because of a wet floor? Most of us know that you just have to take care of your own injuries when something like that happens. But, in 2022 food vendor and babysitter Florencia Salazar suffered serious injuries from a fall when she exited Pink Boutique in San Ignacio. The fall was caused by water beneath the stairs, from a leaky air conditioner pipe linked to their store.

The case went to the High Court and on December 10th Justice Martha Alexander found that Pink Boutique is liable to pay over $80,000 dollars in damages. Courtney Menzies spoke to Salazar’s attorneys who are from the Jamaica based firm of Makhijani and Johnson.

They say it’s a lesson for both business owners and victims:

In March 2022, Florencia Salazar was at Pink Boutique in San Ignacio when she slipped on a wet surface outside the establishment – where water accumulated from an air conditioner’s drain line. She suffered serious injuries and decided to take the matter to court in what may be Belize’s first “slip and fall” case. The court awarded her damages of eighty four thousand dollars.

She retained attorneys Gaurica Makhijani and Britney-Lee Johnson who explained why the boutique was held liable.

Gaurica Makhijani, Attorney
“It is a slip and fall case that took place beneath the steps of Pink Boutique. That’s where it took place and our clients sustained life changing injuries including patella comminuted fracture and other more technical terms. But severe life changing injuries as a result and so a lawsuit against pink boutique was filed to cover her pain and suffering.”

“One of the things that are interesting here in this case is the fact that occupier’s liability plays an important role in holding tenants liable for actions or omissions on their premises which they control of have some degree of control. And so it was on that basis that the court found that indeed Pink Boutique is in control of this area, it is their AC, it is their AC pipe and they have some degree of control of that area and it is a step that can be used to enter the premises.”

Britney-Lee Johnson, Attorney
“To be fair I will say that they didn’t deny that there was a leak, which of course was rejected by the court, the court accepted the case of the claimant, that there was a leak, however, it is important to note that the general manager under cross examination agreed with me that Pink Boutique knew that beneath those steps were wet. It is also important to note that in the paperwork filed on behalf of the defendant, Pink Boutique, they would have stated or agreed that there were signs placed in that area to warn lawful users of that area that there was water present.”

And being the first of its kind, this case now sets a precedent in Belize and according to Makhijani, it allows citizens to feel comfortable to seek redress in similar cases.

Gaurica Makhijani, Attorney
“It certainly sets a precedent, it’s a landmark decision in our opinion. From what we have gathered thus far, I’m yet to see up until now, a successful claimant or a claim advanced by a claimant concerning a slip and fall in Belize. So this is a big deal for Belize because it shows that a claimant can actually be successful if they bring forward their evidence and everything is before the court that the court will find in their favor and it also for me, and for the public, it’s comforting a reassuring that the justice system works and it doesn’t only work in favor of the affluent because our client is from humble beginnings and she’s proudly so and so it just goes to show that it doesn’t matter who you are, what is your affiliation in society or your status, if something was done against the laws or in breach of someone’s rights or in breach of someone’s duty of care, which is owed to the public, then there will be consequences flowing in the legal world.”

And moreover, Johnson hopes that businesses will take heed with this decision.

Britney-Lee Johnson, Attorney
“On a practical level I would like to add that business owners need to ensure that they are not operating in a reactive manner. What I mean by that is that they ought to be proactive. Assess your premises that you’re renting, look at the pipes, ensure that you’re maintaining as need be, ensure you’re making reports to your landlord in furtherance of lease agreements, ensure that if there is a leak and you know about the leak, if it cannot be fixed immediately, you place proper signage, big and bold, watch your step, wet area, caution. Purchase cones. You can also take steps to block off an entire area whether it it through using objects, using tape, using signage, whatever it is you have accessible to you.”

And in this case a 50 dollar sign could have saved this business over 80 grand.

For clarity, the defendant is to pay general damages of BZ$80,000 and special damages of BZ$3,898 – both with 6% interest per annum going back to 2022.

Attorney for Pink Boutique, Payal Ganwani says “the matter is under review with our client, who intends to appeal the decision.”

Costs were also awarded to the victim.

Reposted from 7newsbelize