Florida has more than 5,000 apartment complexes. If you live in one, security is an issue you should always consider. Therefore, you may wonder, ”Can you sue an apartment for security negligence in Florida?”
You will be happy to hear that the answer is “yes,” but cases involving negligent security claims in Florida are usually complicated. Continue reading to learn more.
What Is Negligent Security?
Before we provide a more in-depth answer to the question, “Can you sue an apartment for security negligence in Florida?” it’s crucial to understand that negligent security is a legal principle that falls under premises liability law.
It occurs when property owners fail to implement adequate security measures and enable foreseeable criminal activity. Said owners are legally required to take reasonable care to prevent anyone who visits their properties from suffering harm.
In the case of an apartment complex, those who own it must keep residents safe by providing:
- Proper lighting in common areas
- Fully functioning cameras
- Working locks on doors and windows
- Effective fencing
- Well-maintained sidewalks, parking lots, etc.
When Should You Consider Suing an Apartment Complex for Negligent Security?
Consider suing an apartment complex for negligent security if you’re the victim of a serious crime that causes injuries and subsequent damages. For example, you may want to file a claim against a complex if you’re the victim of one of these crimes:
- Robbery
- Assault
- Rape
By filing a successful personal injury case, you could collect compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses.
How Can You Prove Security Negligence?
While the answer to the question, “Can you sue an apartment for security negligence in Florida?” is “yes,” proving it is challenging. You won’t win a case against an apartment complex or an individual landlord simply because you were a crime victim.
Instead, you must prove a complex or landlord knew about inadequate security measures taken on their property and didn’t do anything about it. This is often easier said than done since a defendant might argue they were unaware of an issue.
Your premises liability lawyer, meanwhile, must prove the four main elements of negligence to earn you a legal victory. They include:
- A defendant had a landlord duty of care to provide a safe environment for residents on their property.
- A defendant breached this duty by not implementing enough measures or ignoring issues with these measures.
- A defendant’s breach of duty led to you being the victim of a serious crime and sustaining physical, emotional, and/or psychological harm.
- A defendant’s actions caused you to suffer measurable damages.
Your attorney must also prove that the crime committed against you was not an unexpected occurrence. They may do this by collecting key evidence, including photographs and videos, local crime statistics, and reports about other nearby criminal activities.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Legal Options
If you’re seeking answers to the question, “Can you sue an apartment for security negligence in Florida?” you might have a strong case. Speak with a lawyer from Steinberg Law, P.A., during a free case evaluation. Call us at 877-783-4611 or complete our form to schedule one.
FAQs
Look for the answers to commonly asked questions below.
What Are Common Examples of Security Negligence in Florida?
Common examples of security negligence in Florida include inadequate lighting, malfunctioning locks, non-working cameras, broken alarm systems, and shoddy fencing.
How Long Do You Have To File a Security Negligence Case in Florida?
You have two years to file a security negligent case in Florida. The previous statute of limitations gave people four years to file cases, but the recent impact of Florida tort reform changed this.
How Much Could a Negligent Security Case Be Worth?
A negligent security case could be worth anywhere from several thousand to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the crime perpetrated against you.
