When people visit an apartment complex, shopping center, hotel, nightclub, or parking garage, they expect a basic level of safety. Property owners have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm — including criminal acts. When they fail to provide adequate security, violent crimes can occur that forever change victims’ lives.
In Florida, victims of assaults, robberies, shootings, and other violent crimes may have the right to pursue compensation through a negligent security claim. These cases fall under premises liability law and focus on whether the property owner failed to take reasonable security measures.
At Moore Payne Law, Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne represent individuals across Florida who were injured due to inadequate security. They work to hold negligent property owners accountable and help victims recover compensation for physical injuries, emotional trauma, and long-term losses.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to implement reasonable safety measures despite knowing — or having reason to know — that criminal activity is likely to occur on or near the premises.
Property owners are not required to prevent all crime. However, they must take reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable risks, especially when there is a history of criminal activity in the area.
Negligent security claims often arise after incidents such as:
When proper security could have prevented or reduced the harm, liability may exist.
Common Locations Where Negligent Security Claims Arise
Violent crimes linked to negligent security frequently occur in places where property owners fail to address known risks.
Common locations include:
- Apartment complexes and gated communities
- Hotels and resorts
- Nightclubs, bars, and entertainment venues
- Shopping centers and malls
- Parking lots and parking garages
- College housing and student apartments
- Office buildings and commercial properties
These properties often attract large numbers of people, making security planning essential.
Examples of Inadequate Security Measures
Negligent security may involve the absence or failure of basic safety precautions, including:
- Poor or broken lighting in parking areas
- Lack of security guards or patrols
- Non-functioning surveillance cameras
- Broken gates or unsecured entrances
- Failure to control access to buildings
- Lack of emergency call stations
- Ignoring prior criminal incidents
When these failures exist and a violent crime occurs, property owners may be held responsible.
Foreseeability: A Key Element in Florida Negligent Security Cases
One of the most important issues in a negligent security case is foreseeability. This refers to whether the property owner knew or should have known that criminal activity was likely.
Foreseeability may be established by:
- Prior crimes on the property
- Crimes in the surrounding neighborhood
- Police reports or crime statistics
- Complaints from tenants or guests
- Prior security incidents or warnings
If crime was foreseeable, property owners have a heightened duty to act.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Negligent Security
Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be legally responsible, including:
Moore Payne Law investigates ownership records, contracts, and security policies to identify all liable parties.
Injuries Commonly Resulting from Violent Crimes
Victims of negligent security incidents often suffer severe injuries, including:
- Gunshot or stab wounds
- Broken bones and head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Psychological trauma, anxiety, and PTSD
These injuries may require extensive medical treatment, counseling, and long-term care.
Compensation Available to Victims
Victims of violent crimes caused by negligent security in Florida may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
- Mental health treatment and counseling
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In fatal cases, families may pursue wrongful death damages.
Defenses Property Owners Often Use
Property owners and insurers frequently attempt to avoid liability by arguing:
- The crime was unforeseeable
- The victim’s actions contributed to the incident
- Adequate security was in place
- Criminal acts are solely the fault of the perpetrator
Moore Payne Law counters these defenses by presenting evidence of prior crimes, safety failures, and industry security standards.
How Moore Payne Law Builds Negligent Security Cases
Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne take a meticulous, trial-ready approach that includes:
- Reviewing crime data and police reports
- Analyzing security policies and incident logs
- Inspecting lighting, cameras, and access controls
- Consulting security and premises safety experts
- Interviewing witnesses and tenants
- Preserving surveillance footage and records
Their preparation ensures that negligent property owners are held accountable.
What to Do After a Violent Crime on Unsafe Property
If you are injured in a violent crime on someone else’s property:
- 1.
- Seek immediate medical attention
- 2.
- Contact law enforcement and obtain a report
- 3.
- Preserve evidence, including photos and clothing
- 4.
- Identify witnesses and request surveillance footage
- 5.
- Avoid speaking with insurance companies
- 6.
- Contact Moore Payne Law as soon as possible
Early legal action is essential to preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Negligent security cases are complex and often aggressively defended. Property owners and insurers work hard to minimize liability and damages.
Moore Payne Law has the experience, resources, and determination to stand up to powerful property owners and corporate defendants. Their trial-ready strategy sends a clear message that victims will not be ignored.
Standing Up for Victims of Negligent Security in Florida
Violent crimes are traumatic, but when they occur because property owners failed to provide basic safety, accountability matters. Moore Payne Law is committed to protecting victims and making Florida properties safer for everyone.
Attorneys Geoff Moore and Spencer Payne fight tirelessly for individuals harmed by negligent security. Their goal is justice, compensation, and meaningful change.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to inadequate security on Florida property, contact Moore Payne Law today for a free and confidential consultation. The right legal team can help you reclaim control and move forward.
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