Tampa Negligent Security Lawyer
When we get back to our apartment complex late at night, we expect to be relatively safe. The same goes for visits to bars, nightclubs, concerts, sporting events, gas stations, schools, hotels, parking garages, and pretty much everywhere else we visit. But danger lurks. Crime can happen anywhere, and when there is a lack of security, a person is more likely to get robbed, assaulted, or raped.
This is a premises liability issue called negligent security and it can happen on public or private property, residential or commercial. Each place has different security requirements, but if a lack of security leads to a crime, and you are a victim, you may be able to sue the property owner for damages. Learn more by speaking to a Tampa negligent security lawyer from Franco Law Firm.
Examples of Negligent Security
Places in nice neighborhoods with little crime will most likely have less security than urban neighborhoods that are rife with crime. Generally speaking, there are some examples of negligent security:
- No security cameras or alarms
- Malfunctioning alarms or camera equipment
- Untrained security guards
- Lack of security guards
- Inadequate lighting
- Broken fences or gates
- Doors that cannot be locked
In some states, there are laws that protect business owners from negligence as long as they meet certain standards. In Florida, for example, convenience store owners are absolved from liability for crimes that occur on the premises if they take certain precautions. These precautions include installing a security camera system, using a drop safe, and displaying a sign saying that the cash register contains less than $50.
Is the Property Owner Liable?
Some crimes are foreseeable; others are not. How is a property owner to know? In what situations can they be held liable?
Property owners have a duty to keep their customers reasonably safe. They can be liable if they fail to provide adequate security and it results in damages.
Injured plaintiffs who wish to file a negligent security claim must be able to prove that:
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The property owner has a duty of care. This means that the property owner must be able to provide basic security measures.
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Negligent security caused the plaintiff’s injury. The plaintiff will have to prove that a lack of security caused their injuries and any other potential damages.
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The crime was foreseeable. This can be tricky to prove, but a competent lawyer can help gather the appropriate evidence that may prove that the crime could have been predicted. The neighborhood’s crime rate and proof of previous crimes at the premises can serve as evidence. crimes at the premises or in the immediate area surrounding the property in question.
Contact Franco Law Firm Today
It can be frustrating to be the victim of a crime that could have been prevented. You should feel safe when on someone else’s property. The team at Franco Law Firm can assess your case and determine if there was adequate security on the premises at the time of the crime. If not, you could receive compensation for your damages. Call (813) 872-0929 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation with a Tampa negligent security lawyer.
