Whenever we visit a business or a private property, we have the right to be and feel reasonably safe. The owner of the property or business has the responsibility of ensuring that their premises stay secure for the guests and occupants. This is especially true for areas or premises where crimes have happened before. However, some property owners fail to put up adequate security measures to keep their visitors safe.
If you or a loved one suffered material damage or injuries in a violent assault, robbery, or similar incident on someone else’s property, and you feel the property owner could have done more to protect your safety, you could potentially have a negligent security claim. Violent crimes and assaults can have serious and potentially fatal consequences for the victim.
Reach out to Steinberg Law today to schedule a free consultation and case review with a Delray Beach negligent security lawyer. Our personal injury lawyers have the experience, skills, and expertise to obtain favorable results. Contact our Delray Beach office at 877-783-4611 to find out if you have a case and initiate your legal action.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a form of premises liability that covers the damages a person may suffer following a violent crime. Under negligent security law, the victim of a violent crime that results in injuries can hold the property owner or manager of the premises where the crime occurred liable for their damages.
For instance, if a person is at a grocery store and is shot by another person in the store, the victim can file a lawsuit against the owners of the grocery store under this law. The civil lawsuit would be in demand for financial compensation for the failure, on the part of the grocery store, to keep people safe while on the property.
The main premise of negligent security law is that property owners must do what they can to protect their visitors and guests from harm. As such, landlords and property managers should always ensure their commercial spaces and homes are equipped with suitable lighting and security features like surveillance cameras, locks, and bars.
Negligent security law usually assumes that if the appropriate security measures are put in place, crimes can be avoided and the damages resulting from such crimes significantly lowered. This includes informing visitors of any crimes that were previously committed on the property and any potential dangers.
The following are some common signs that the property owner was negligent in ensuring the safety of the people on the property:
- Broken locks that enable easy access to the public
- Lack of call boxes in case of an emergency
- Surveillance cameras that are faulty or poorly maintained
- Insufficient lighting
- Lack of security guards
It takes the skills and experience of a trained Delray Beach negligent security lawyer to properly assess the situation and point out errors in the situation at hand.
What Should You Do After You Are Injured Due To Negligent Security?
Here are the steps you should take after suffering an injury due to negligent security:
Follow your doctor’s instructions
Ensure that you follow your doctor’s treatment plan and advice carefully, which includes taking time from work if they say it’s important.
Keep a record of your injuries and costs
It’s also crucial to keep a thorough record of your injuries and the costs of treatment. If possible, keep a journal of the series of events from the time of the incident.
Don’t admit fault
Never say anything that could jeopardize your case when talking to the property owner/manager, insurance companies, or anyone else. Some statements could put serious doubt on the validity of your case in the eyes of the court and on the defendant’s side.
Call a negligent security attorney
The sooner you bring a lawyer onto your case, the faster they can start working on it, and the better your chances of getting a favorable outcome.
Do I Have a Valid Negligent Security Claim?
Florida law requires business owners to provide security for their premises. As such, if they fail to provide this and it ends up in injury, property damage, or death, they can be held liable. Injured plaintiffs can file a successful claim if they prove that:
The property owner had a duty to provide basic security like ample lighting. The basic security requirements will be based on the location of the property and the type of property.
The injury was directly caused by the lapse in security. The plaintiff has to demonstrate that they wouldn’t have been injured or suffered damages had the premises provided better security.
The plaintiff suffered compensable damages. You have to demonstrate that you suffered monetary, physical, property, or other damages that are compensable under Florida law.
It’s also worth noting that the injury must have been foreseeable to be eligible for damages. An experienced lawyer can help you prove that the injuries were foreseeable and that they wouldn’t have occurred had the property owner provided ample security.
Types of Negligent Security Cases
Here are the typical negligent security case types we see at our office:
Negligent security at Apartment Complexes
Commercial and residential property owners have a responsibility to protect their tenants and customers from violent crimes. This means that the companies or individuals that rent out apartment complexes have to take the necessary measures to learn about the crime rates and other dangers in the area. They should then employ the essential safety measures to make sure that their guests and tenants don’t get hurt.
If they fail to prove enough security and a violent crime ends up happening, where one of their tenants is injured or killed, they can be held liable for negligent security or a wrongful death suit. Some of the most common types of attacks we see in apartment complexes are assaults and shootings. There’s also a rising number of rape and robbery cases in the parking lots.
Negligent Security at Motels & Hotels
People traveling to different locations will often have to stay at some hotel, motel, or other overnight establishments. Regardless of the reason for staying at such an establishment, you expect that your stay will be safe, above everything else. It’s the responsibility of the owner or manager to make sure that the right measures are put in place to protect you from attacks.
Still, crime can occur almost anywhere, including hotels and motels. Violent crimes and assaults can happen in stairways, hallways, parking lots, and other areas where there’s insufficient light. Moreover, improperly trained security staff can be an issue. The doors and windows of such establishments can be also insecure.
Negligent Security at Malls & Shopping Centers
Shopping malls and shopping centers are other commercial locations often frequented by Delray Beach residents. These can be anything from a simple shopping center to a huge mega mall with lots of different department stores, cinemas, and other amenities. All businesses in such an establishment owe their clients and customers a duty of care.
Unfortunately, even the relaxed and fun environment of shopping malls can be subject to shootings, rape cases, sexual assault, murders, and more. However, all of these can be avoided if the property owners ensure that all the necessary security measures are in place.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Delray Beach Negligent Security Lawyer?
You might be wondering how much you need to hire a negligent security lawyer. As with other personal injury cases, you won’t have to pay anything if you hire us for your negligent security case. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t charge our clients anything for legal counsel, investigations, and our services in and out of court. You only pay us when we win the case. The fees will be subtracted from your settlement amount. If we don’t win, you won’t be charged anything.
What Compensation Can I Receive From A Negligent Security Claim?
It’s quite difficult to speculate how much you will receive without a thorough case review. However, as a rule of thumb, the more harmful and dangerous the violent crime was, and the higher the losses and damages received, the higher the settlement amount is likely to be.
Still, we can’t give you a precise quote of how much you can expect until we’ve had a good look at the details surrounding your case. What we can say is that these kinds of cases usually settle for figures in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Thinking of Filing a Negligent Security Lawsuit? Consult with Steinberg Law Today
If you believe you or a loved one was a victim of a negligent security situation, you might be eligible for compensation. However, since these cases can be quite complex, it’s usually best to work with a knowledgeable and skilled negligent security lawyer. This will ensure that you have the best chance of receiving the compensation you’re entitled to.
At Steinberg Law, our team is always ready to help you with your case. We have decades of experience in representing victims injured as a result of negligent security issues, and we will work hard to ensure you get the justice and compensation you deserve. Reach out to our Delray Beach office today at 877-783-4611 to schedule a free and confidential consultation with our Delray Beach negligent security lawyer.
