Practice Areas
Negligent Security
Violent crimes on unsafe properties can devastate victims and their families forever.
Property owners in Florida must keep their premises reasonably safe. When they ignore basic security, innocent people can suffer assaults, robberies, sexual abuse, and other preventable crimes, needing an experienced negligent security lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
Do you need legal protection after preventable crimes on unsafe property?
Negligent Security In Florida
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Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim against property owners who fail to provide reasonable safety measures for lawful visitors.
Bureau of Justice Statistics data show that many violent crimes occur on someone else’s property each year. Although no one can predict every criminal act, Florida law requires owners to take reasonable precautions where crime is foreseeable. In busy areas of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, that can mean higher security standards for hotels, apartments, shopping centers, and entertainment venues.
Where Harm Happens
- Assaults and batteries in parking lots, garages, or common areas with poor lighting or known loitering.
- Robberies at convenience stores, gas stations, or retail properties lacking cameras, alarms, or visible security staff.
- Sexual assaults in hotels, motels, apartments, or clubs with broken locks, doors, or easily opened windows.
- Shootings or stabbings at bars or venues that skip searches, ignore fights, or delay calling law enforcement.
- Break-ins at apartments or gated communities with broken locks, gates, or non-working access systems.
- Crimes at commercial properties with a history of incidents and no meaningful security improvements.
- Other preventable attacks where basic, reasonable security would likely have deterred or reduced harm.
Proving A Negligent Security Claim In Florida
Key elements injured victims must generally prove
- Duty and breach of security obligations
- Causation and actual injury damages
Evidence showing crime foreseeability
- Prior crimes on or near the property.
- Area crime statistics and police incident reports.
- Tenant or customer safety complaints and warnings.
- Broken locks, lighting, cameras, or gates documented.
- Lack of guards or trained security staff present.
- Expert opinions on inadequate security versus industry standards.
What To Do After A Property Crime
Steps that help protect safety, evidence, and legal rights.
- Get to safety
- Call law enforcement
- Seek medical treatment
- Preserve evidence
- Photograph scene conditions
- Collect witness information
- Avoid detailed statements
- Contact lawyer
How We Build Negligent Security Cases
Our firm investigates crime scenes, analyzes security failures, and pursues compensation from owners, managers, and other responsible entities.
Free case review
Discuss what happened and your potential legal options.
Crime/property investigation
Examine property layout, lighting, access points, and history.
Records/video preservation
Secure footage, reports, and incident records before disappear.
Security expert consultation
Use experts to evaluate security against industry standards.
Liability and fault analysis
Identify all negligent owners, managers, and related entities.
Negotiations with insurers
Challenge “unforeseeable crime” arguments and settlement offers.
Contact Your Lawyer Now
We’ll handle insurers and protect your compensation through every stage of the process.
Florida Law Changes Affect Negligent Security Claims
Tort reform and fault apportionment
Recent tort reform through House Bill 837 and Florida Statute Section 768.0701 allows juries to place the criminal assailant on the verdict form, potentially reducing the portion of damages property owners must personally pay.
This means negligent security cases now involve complex fault apportionment between property owners, management companies, and the criminal third party. Owners and insurers may use this to argue victims should receive less, despite clear security failures and ignored crime patterns.
An experienced negligent security lawyer in Fort Lauderdale understands these rules, local courts, and comparative fault strategies, and can work to maximize the share of responsibility placed on negligent owners rather than shifting blame onto victims.
Compensation Available After A Negligent Security Injury In Florida
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover financial losses resulting from crimes enabled by inadequate security on commercial, residential, or other properties.
- Medical Expenses
Emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, therapy, medications, and ongoing treatment necessary due to assault, shooting, or other violent incidents. - Lost income
Wages missed while recovering, reduced hours, lost job opportunities, and diminished earning capacity caused by trauma or disabling injuries. - Other financial losses
Counseling costs, relocation expenses, property damage, security upgrades, and other expenses tied directly to the negligent security event.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the human impact of these crimes, including physical pain, emotional trauma, and life changes from violent attacks.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress
- Loss of enjoyment
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of companionship
Speak With A Fort Lauderdale Negligent Security Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one were injured because a business, landlord, or other property owner failed to provide reasonable security, you may have a negligent security claim under Florida law. The Graham Injury Firm understands how owners and insurers try to blame criminals, victims, or “unforeseeable” events instead of accepting responsibility for unsafe premises. Attorney Josiah Graham has recovered over fifty million dollars for clients and offers free consultations to explain your options. Even if your case overlaps with a pedestrian accident claim, our team can help.
Don’t wait, your time to act is limited. Contact Graham Injury Law Firm before time’s up
Don’t Wait to Get the Justice You Deserve
Time matters after an injury. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights.
Graham Injury Firm is ready to fight for you, today.
Over $50M+ recovered.
Recognized Leadership.
Community-Driven Advocacy.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Graham Injury Firm?
No Fee Unless We Win.
No Upfront Cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers You Can Trust
How long will my case take?
Time matters after an injury. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights.
Will I speak directly with an attorney?
Time matters after an injury. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights.
What should I do right after an accident?
Time matters after an injury. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights.
How much is my case worth?
Time matters after an injury. Evidence fades, witnesses forget, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and protecting your rights.
Don’t Wait to Get the Help You Deserve
We know how overwhelming this moment feels, but acting quickly can make all the difference. Our team is ready to step in today, handle the pressure, and fight for the results you deserve.