Crime Victims in Fort Lauderdale Will Often Have Claims for Negligent Security

When you patronize a business, the last thing you expect is that you will become the victim of a crime. Unfortunately, in today’s world, this is a very real concern. From physical violence to senseless shootings, the reality is that we face risks whenever we leave our homes. While businesses have a legal duty to protect their customers, many businesses provide negligent security, and their negligence is responsible for victims’ losses in many cases.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a crime, you may have a claim against the business where the crime occurred. Providing negligent security is inexcusable, and businesses that fail to protect their customers can—and should—be held accountable. At Maus Law Firm, we handle negligent security cases on behalf of victims and families throughout Fort Lauderdale, and if you have a claim, we can fight to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

When Can You File a Claim for Negligent Security?

Crime victims and their families can file negligent security claims under a broad range of scenarios. Generally speaking, any time a person is victimized at a business, that person (or that person’s family) should speak with a premises liability lawyer about filing a negligent security claim. All types of businesses have a duty to provide adequate security (though what is “adequate” can vary depending on the circumstances), including businesses that own and operate properties such as:

• Amusement parks and theme parks
• Apartment complexes
• Bars and restaurants
• College campuses
• Convenience stores and gas stations
• Cruise ships
• Entertainment venues
• Gyms, fitness centers and spas
• Hotels, motels and resorts
• Movie theaters
• Nightclubs
• Office buildings
• Parking garages
• Shopping malls
• Sports stadiums

When is a business’ security considered “adequate”? As noted above, the answer to this question varies. Businesses located in high crime areas generally need to do more, and businesses that host large gatherings (i.e., entertainment venues, nightclubs, and sports stadiums) may need to provide extra security during their scheduled events. With this in mind, some examples of security measures businesses may need to take in order to meet their legal obligations include:

• Employing security guards
• Having security guards posted at entrances or patrol their premises
• Installing emergency phones or alarms
• Installing gated entries or metal detectors
• Installing security cameras
• Lighting their parking lots, parking garages, alleyways, and stairwells
• Restricting access via keys, keycards, or passcodes

Additionally, business owners must understand that providing adequate security is an ongoing process. For example, business owners need to make sure their lights and security cameras work, and they need to hire new security guards when others quit. If the surrounding area becomes more dangerous or new threats arise, businesses must respond appropriately to these types of changes as well.

What Crimes Can Result From Negligent Security?

Negligent security can create risks for all types of crimes. If you or a loved one is a victim of any type of crime that occurred on a business’s property, you should speak with a lawyer about filing a claim against the business. Some examples of crimes that commonly result from negligent security include:

Assault and Battery

Businesses can be held legally responsible for assaults that occur both indoors and outdoors. This includes assaults involving physical altercations, knives, guns, and other weapons.

Mass Shootings

Mass shootings have become a daily occurrence in the United States. While it is unfortunate, this is a risk that businesses need to take into consideration. If a business doesn’t do enough to prevent a mass shooting from happening, the business can be held liable for the victims’ and families’ losses.

Murder

Murders resulting from assaults and mass shootings leave families facing losses they will never be able to fully recover. But, seeking financial compensation is important for moving on, and in many cases, this involves filing a claim against a business for providing negligent security.

Sexual Assault and Rape

Sexual assault and rape are risks for customers and employees. Whether you were victimized at work or while patronizing a business, you owe it to yourself to speak with a lawyer about your legal rights.

Theft and Robbery

Victims of thefts and robberies can also file claims against businesses for negligent security. Many types of security failures can lead to customers being victimized by property crimes.

Importantly, the person who commits the crime does not need to be convicted for the victim (or the victim’s family) to pursue a negligent security claim. Police and prosecutors decide not to try cases for various reasons, and criminal defendants may be able to avoid a conviction with the help of a good defense lawyer. But, the legal standards that apply in criminal cases and negligent security cases are different, and even if the police aren’t able to secure enough evidence to secure a conviction, you could still have a very strong case for negligent security.

Compensation Available in Negligent Security Cases

In negligent security cases, victims and families can recover just compensation for the financial and non-financial losses they suffer as a result of the crimes that occurred. This includes both current and future losses, and Florida law does not place a limit on the compensation that is available. When we represent individuals and families in negligent security cases, we seek full compensation for our client’s losses including:

• Medical costs
• Lost income
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Other financial and non-financial losses

In many cases, we can recover these losses by settling with the business’s insurance company. But, if a fair settlement is not on the table, we will not hesitate to take the business’s insurance company to court.

Discuss Your Negligent Security Claim with an Attorney at Maus Law Firm

If you need to know more about filing a negligent security claim against a business in Fort Lauderdale, we encourage you to contact us promptly. Please call 855-476-5926 or contact us online to speak with an attorney at Maus Law Firm as soon as possible.