When property owners in Miami Gardens, FL, fail to provide adequate security, visitors can face serious dangers. Such owners can be held liable when a guest is robbed, assaulted, or otherwise harmed due to foreseeable criminal actions. If this describes you, you could be entitled to substantial compensation through a negligent security lawsuit.
The Miami Gardens negligent security lawyers at Elliott Law Firm can help you pursue compensation from the responsible parties. Call our team of negligent security attorneys at (800) 300-0303 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.
Why Choose Elliott Law Firm for Your Negligent Security Case?
Inadequate security claims involve criminal acts and civil liability, which require a legal team with experience in both areas. You need a negligent security attorney who can show that lax security measures caused your injuries and that they wouldn’t have happened but for the property owner’s negligence.
Clients in Miami Gardens, Florida, trust Elliott Law Firm because:
- Our personal injury lawyers have over 20 years of experience handling premises liability and criminal law matters across South Florida.
- We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients throughout the Miami area.
- We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you.
- Attorney Chris Elliott personally manages every client case and is always prepared to go to trial if necessary.
Call today to speak with a knowledgeable negligent security lawyer in Miami Gardens about your case.
How an Attorney Builds a Negligent Security Claim
Proving an inadequate security claim requires showing that the property owner should have expected potential crime and failed to implement reasonable safety measures. Gathering this evidence takes a thorough investigation by a professional who knows what to look for.
Your Miami Gardens negligent security attorney can strengthen your case by:
- Analyzing local crime statistics to show that criminal activity was predictable
- Inspecting physical security features, including lighting, cameras, gates, locks, and guards
- Reviewing maintenance logs to verify whether safety equipment was properly serviced
- Obtaining police reports and past safety complaints for the property
- Consulting security experts to establish safety standards and highlight owner oversight
- Documenting your injuries and calculating all medical bills, lost wages, and personal losses
- Countering insurance company attempts to blame you for the incident
Establishing that the crime was predictable is essential for a successful claim. An experienced negligent security lawyer can gather the necessary evidence to hold the property owner accountable.
Negligent Security and Premises Liability Law
Inadequate security claims fall under Florida premises liability law. Property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for lawful visitors. This responsibility includes protecting guests, tenants, and customers from predictable crimes committed by third parties.
While property owners cannot prevent every crime, they must address known security risks based on a history of complaints or criminal activity in the area, or due to the nature of the property (e.g., nightclubs, bars, etc.).
Common examples of property owner negligence include:
- Broken or missing locks on doors and gates
- Broken security cameras in common areas or parking lots
- Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, and parking garages
- Failing to hire security guards despite known crime risks
- Failing to conduct background checks on employees who have access to tenant spaces
- Ignoring safety concerns reported by residents or patrons
- Damaged fencing that allows trespassers easy access
If a property owner neglects these safety hazards and a visitor is attacked, the owner’s failure to act can provide grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
Common Locations for Negligent Security Incidents in Florida
Inadequate security lawsuits often involve properties with heavy foot traffic, poor lighting, or a history of crime.
Common locations in Florida include:
- Apartment complexes and gated communities
- Hotels and motels with direct outdoor room access
- Shopping centers
- Gas stations
- Bars and nightclubs
- Parking garages/lots
- College campuses
- Bus stops
- ATMs
At these locations, property owners or managers are expected to recognize predictable safety risks and provide proper safety measures.
Types of Injuries Common in Negligent Security Claims
These cases involve violent crimes. Accordingly, victims often suffer severe physical and emotional trauma.
Common injuries include:
- Gunshot wounds
- Stab wounds
- Severe lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries from physical assaults
- Bone and facial fractures
- Injuries resulting from sexual assault
- Soft tissue injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe emotional distress
If an attack results in fatal injuries, surviving family members can typically file a wrongful death lawsuit against the property owner.
Types of Compensation Available in a Negligent Security Case
A successful Miami Gardens negligent security claim can help you recover damages for the financial losses and personal harm occasioned by a criminal assault.
These damages include:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Ongoing medical care
- Mental health counseling and therapy
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Long-term reductions to your earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If an attack results in fatal injuries, surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the property owner. These claims provide money for lost financial support, loss of parental guidance for minor children, loss of spousal companionship, and funeral costs.
Surviving relatives can also seek compensation for their own mental pain and suffering, while the victim’s estate recovers lost earnings and healthcare expenses accumulated before death.
Contact a Miami Gardens Negligent Security Lawyer
If you were injured in a violent crime on someone else’s property in Miami Gardens, a negligent security attorney at Elliott Law Firm can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options for filing a claim for negligent security.
You typically have two years to take legal action against a property owner, so you shouldn’t wait to get started.
Our Miami Garden negligent security attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. There are no upfront costs or hourly charges. Our firm advances all case expenses and collects its fee as a percentage of any settlement or verdict obtained on your behalf.
Contact a negligent security lawyer in Miami Gardens today at (800) 300-0303 to schedule a free consultation.