Property owners in Florida, especially commercial property owners, have a duty to ensure that their premises are safe for patrons and customers.
Sadly, people are frequently the victim of a crime while on someone else’s property. These incidents can result in serious injuries, permanent disfigurement, or ongoing pain. While it may appear that the criminal is solely at fault, a business, landlord, or property manager could also be held liable for their role in the crime due to negligent security.
For example, you could be entitled to damages from a premises owner if you were:
- Robbed at an ATM
- Assaulted at a bar or restaurant
- Mugged in a parking garage
- Sexually assaulted on a college campus
- Sexually assaulted at a hotel or resort
- Robbed or assaulted at an apartment complex
All property—public and private—must have appropriate safety measures, but many do not.
In Florida, businesses are required to know the nature of their area, particularly if they are in a “bad part of town.” Prior crimes or incidents may make the one that resulted in your injury “foreseeable.” If the risk of crime is foreseeable, businesses have a duty to take reasonable safety precautions. If they do not, you may be able to file a negligent security lawsuit.
For instance, a parking garage in a South Florida “high crime area” may need more lighting than another parking garage. A Miami shopping mall may need dedicated security guards. If these safety precautions are not taken, and you are the victim of a crime, the property owner or manager may be liable. Finding a negligent security lawyer who understands the intricacies of these requirements can help.
The level of necessary safety measures will vary on a case-by-case basis and often hinges on the relationship of the property owner to the injured party. If you were the victim of a crime at a commercial establishment, you need the negligent security attorneys at Mase Seitz Briggs in Miami, Florida, to help you every step of the way. Contact us today for a free consultation.
