Navigating daily life in Boca Raton—whether you are enjoying an evening out near Mizner Park, shopping along Palmetto Park Road, or returning to your apartment complex—comes with the reasonable expectation of safety. When property owners and managers neglect basic security measures, such as fixing broken gates or illuminating dark parking structures, they invite preventable risks. At The Altman Law Firm, led by attorney Jeffrey S. Altman, we help victims of violent crime hold negligent property owners across Palm Beach County accountable for their safety failures.
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Reviewed by Jeffrey S. Altman · Florida Bar No. 159174 · Reviewed 15 September 2026
Recognizing Premises Liability and Foreseeability in Boca Raton
Under Florida law, property owners and commercial operators have a clear duty to protect lawful visitors and residents from foreseeable criminal acts. Foreseeability often depends on whether a property has a history of prior police calls, burglaries, or assaults. When management ignores these red flags and fails to upgrade security cameras, repair perimeter fences, or staff entry points, innocent people can suffer catastrophic injuries from robberies, batteries, or sexual assaults.
The Lasting Impact of Inadequate Property Protection
Surviving a criminal attack on poorly managed property leaves deep physical, emotional, and financial scars. Victims frequently face costly emergency medical care, rehabilitation, and time away from work, all while coping with severe psychological trauma and anxiety. Corporate insurance adjusters often attempt to downplay these profound hardships or shift the blame onto the injured party. Our team investigates the underlying maintenance logs, police reports, and site conditions to counter these defense strategies.
Navigating Florida Legal Standards and Strict Filing Deadlines
Pursuing a civil claim after a traumatic incident requires careful navigation of state laws and strict procedural rules. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence framework, which insurance companies frequently use to argue that victims share blame for an incident. Furthermore, time is critical. Under current Florida statutes, general negligence claims accruing on or after March 24, 2023, must generally be filed within a strict two-year window from the date of the occurrence. Acting promptly ensures that vital, fleeting evidence like digital surveillance footage and maintenance records are properly preserved.
Frequently asked questions
What is a negligent security claim under Florida law?
A negligent security claim is a type of premises liability where a victim injured by a criminal act seeks to hold a property owner or manager accountable because they failed to implement reasonable safety measures, such as working locks, gates, or lighting, that could have prevented the crime.
Can I sue a property owner if a third party committed the crime?
Yes. While the criminal perpetrator is primarily responsible for the attack, a property owner may also be held civilly liable if their failure to maintain adequate security made the criminal act foreseeable and preventable.
What evidence is needed to prove a negligent security case in Boca Raton?
Proving a claim typically requires gathering local police reports, historical crime data for the area, maintenance work orders, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony to demonstrate that the property owner knew or should have known about existing safety hazards.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Florida?
For general negligence claims arising on or after March 24, 2023, Florida law generally requires a lawsuit to be filed within two years from the date of the incident. Wrongful death claims also generally follow a two-year statute of limitations.
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to inadequate security on a commercial or residential property in Boca Raton, contact The Altman Law Firm today for a confidential consultation. Call (305) 373-3730.
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