When you visit a business, apartment complex, or parking garage in St. Lucie County, you have a reasonable expectation of safety. Unfortunately, property owners sometimes fail to provide adequate security, leaving visitors vulnerable to criminal activity. At Altman Law Firm, Jeffrey S. Altman provides compassionate legal guidance for those harmed by preventable violence on commercial or residential premises.
In Florida, property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This includes implementing security measures—such as functional lighting, surveillance cameras, or security personnel—if the location has a history of crime or if criminal activity is foreseeable. When a property owner ignores these duties, they may be held liable for injuries resulting from criminal attacks that occur on their grounds.
From the busy commercial areas near Port St. Lucie to the quieter residential developments across the county, security failures can happen anywhere. Pursuing a claim requires proving that the owner knew or should have known about the potential for danger and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. We help clients navigate the complexities of Florida law, including understanding how comparative negligence may apply to your specific situation.
Florida law imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, meaning there is a specific timeframe within which you must initiate legal action. Evidence, such as security footage, witness statements, and maintenance records, can disappear quickly. Seeking legal counsel early allows for a thorough investigation of the incident and helps ensure your rights are protected under the law as you focus on your recovery.
Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to take reasonable precautions to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts, such as assault or robbery, on their premises.
No. You are not holding the owner responsible for the crime itself, but rather for their failure to provide the security measures that could have reasonably prevented the incident.
Florida has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. It is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss the legal deadlines applicable to your case.
Florida follows a comparative negligence standard. This means that even if you bear some responsibility for the incident, you may still be able to recover damages, though any compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
If you have been injured due to inadequate security, contact Altman Law Firm to schedule a consultation regarding your potential case. Call (305) 373-3730.