Legally Reviewed By
Ryan Fletcher

What is Negligent Security?

Security concerns are increasing in both commercial properties and residential neighborhoods. Instances of violence or theft are common. Often, security measures or personnel are inadequate.

If you have been a victim of preventable crime on someone else’s property, the negligent security attorneys at Osborne & Francis, PLLC, help you obtain compensation for your injuries or losses. Our firm takes an aggressive approach to personal injury claims, and a lawsuit may be your only avenue to recovering compensation for your losses. Contact us at (561) 293-2600 to schedule a free consultation.

We provide the professional attention you deserve and never accept minimal settlement offers. With more than 50 years of combined experience, our negligent security lawyers have a long history of success.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

osborne & francis partners

What Constitutes Negligent Security?

Property owners and managers have a basic duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. This duty includes preventing any foreseeable criminal acts by using contemporary security measures such as adequate lighting, fencing, security cameras and hiring trained security personnel. These criminal acts may result in:

  • Assault
  • Robbery
  • Shooting
  • Sexual assault
  • Rape
  • Kidnapping
  • Death to tenants and business customers.

What Remedies Are Available for Negligent Security?

Filing a negligent security claim can provide more remedies than solely pursuing criminal charges. The criminal justice system cannot recover damages for intangible losses, like pain and suffering. A third-party claim against the property owner for failing to provide adequate security can secure your full compensation.

Remedies for negligent security cases may include:

  • Medical costs and rehabilitation for injuries
  • Loss of income due to inability to work
  • Loss of valuables, personal effects
  • Damages for mental or emotional distress if a crime is violent or otherwise threatening

Many incidents arising from inadequate security result in the death of a loved one. In Florida, survivors eligible to recover compensation after a loved one’s death include the decedent’s:

  • Spouse
  • Children
  • Parents
  • Blood relatives and adoptive siblings wholly or partly dependent on the decedent for support

Survivors may file a wrongful death claim and recover the following damages:

  • Compensation for present and future lost support
  • Services
  • Lost earnings
  • Medical care
  • Funeral expenses

Spouses may also recover from the loss of companionship and emotional distress. Children under the age of 25 may receive compensation for pain and suffering and lost parental companionship, guidance, and instruction.

If you have questions about your wrongful death case, our supportive and compassionate attorneys are here to help you understand your options and make the best decisions for your family.

Why Do Negligent Security Cases Matter?

The criminal justice system can hold the perpetrators who caused you harm accountable in a court of law. However, the criminal justice system is mainly designed to punish offenders, not recover damages for pain and suffering. If the Court orders restitution for medical bills or property damage, it can be challenging to obtain. The criminal justice system is not set up to go after unpaid compensation.

If you have been seriously injured due to negligent security, it is in your best interests to file a civil lawsuit against the property owner. Generally, property owners have insurance for certain liabilities. You may be entitled to recover your total damages by filing a negligent security claim.

What Are the Laws Governing Negligent Security Claims?

Negligent security claims involve many state and common laws. The following are some of the laws a negligent security attorney will use to establish your case:

  • Foreseeability: Foreseeability occurs when the conduct of a property owner or business “creates a foreseeable zone of risk, the law generally will recognize a duty placed upon the defendant either to lessen the risk or see that sufficient precautions are taken to protect others from the harm that the risk poses.”
  • Liability of Third-Party Persons for Crimes Committed on Premises: A property owner or company does not have a duty to control a third person’s actions. However, the following are exceptions if the property owner is in control of:
  • The premises
  • The person who committed the crime
  • The instrumentality of the harm
  • Temporal Proximity: Temporal proximity involves looking at events that have occurred relatively close to each other. In negligent security, the law examines similar crimes near the property over the previous two years.

Negligent security is a very complex area of law. At Osborne & Francis Law Firm, PLLC, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of negligent security cases.

With more than 50 years of combined experience, our negligent security lawyers have a long history of success.

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

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What Legal Issues Can a Negligent Security Lawyer Handle?

Unfortunately, violence can occur in public at any time and under any circumstance. As a result, there are a variety of situations in which property owners can likely be held liable for not providing adequate security on their property.

Some examples of negligent security include:

  • Shootings inside nightclubs and their parking lots
  • Violent crime including shootings and assaults at apartment complexes
  • Sexual assaults at apartment complexes, common areas, and business parking garages
  • Shootings and attacks at convenience stores and gas stations
  • Robberies and attacks at ATMs and parking lots

Negligent security cases commonly occur at:

  • ATMs and their parking lots
  • Convenience stores, pharmacies and gas stations
  • Shopping centers, malls and movie theaters
  • Apartment complexes and condominiums
  • Nightclubs and bars
  • College campuses
  • Hotels, Resorts, motels
  • Sporting events and concerts

The key element in these examples is that the violation was foreseeable under the circumstances and could have been prevented through reasonable security measures.

What Can Be Considered Negligent Security?
Businesses and property owners can take steps to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors. When there is a lack of adequate security measures taken on the premises, criminal activity can thrive and lead to frequent violence.

Some examples of negligent security can include:

  • Shortage of security guards or no security guards
  • Outdated or out-of-service security system
  • Broken lights or a lack of lighting
  • Gates and doors left unlocked
  • Blocked emergency exits
  • Broken fences

Many violent crimes are an act of opportunity. When property owners fail to address the potential dangers or take measures to mitigate the risk of violence, they can be held liable for your injuries.

How Can a Negligent Security Attorney Prove Liability?
When you are victimized in a violent crime on someone else’s property, liability raises many complications. While the offender is responsible for your attack, criminal liability can leave a victim without restitution for emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Third-party claims against the property owner can serve to make the victim “whole” in the eyes of the court by providing full compensation. However, proving a property owner bears responsibility for your attack can be complex. Your negligent security attorney will need the knowledge and experience to overcome many potential hurdles.

Liability in a negligent security claim involves four elements:

  1. Duty of Care: The concept of duty of care involves establishing that the business or property owner has a responsibility to protect the safety and wellbeing of those on the premises. Complications can arise when assessing the status of the victim. The status of a victim can be an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Negligent security is contingent on the permission the victim had to be on the premises at the time of the incident.
  2. Breach of Duty: The second element an attorney must establish is breach of duty. In this, the property owner or company must have failed in their duty to keep visitors safe from reasonable harm. What constitutes “reasonable harm” can vary. Proving breach of duty depends heavily on the skill of your negligent security lawyer.
  3. The Danger Was Foreseeable: The business or property owner must have reasonably foreseen the potential for a violent act to occur. Foreseeability is one of the most complex elements to prove. Typically, a property owner does not have a duty to stop a criminal act of a third person. However, if the violent act should have been anticipated, you may have a claim for negligent security.
    Foreseeability may ask:
  • How many times has this particular kind of criminal activity occurred?
  • When have the crimes happened?
  • Did the crimes all happen on the property or near it?
  1. You Suffered Injuries or Losses: The last element of liability establishes whether the victim was harmed due to the crime. If a criminal robbed a store you were in attendance in, but you did not suffer any emotional or physical injuries as a result, then there is no reason to hold a business or property owner accountable.

Establishing damages is crucial to proving liability in a negligent security case. Discuss the details of your case with a knowledgeable attorney to determine your recoverable damages.

Are Violent Crimes on the Rise?
Over the years, violence in America has been under the spotlight. Media outlets seem to play an endless cycle of shootings and other violent crimes.

Violent crime statistics state:

  • 1.3 million violent crimes were reported
  • There were more than 126,000 reported rapes
  • Approximately 243,600 robberies
  • Aggravated assault accounts for nearly 1,000,000 violent crimes
  • Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter significantly increased from 16,000 to over 21,500 cases

Mass shootings have also been widely covered in the media recently. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 693 mass shootings occurred in the last reporting year. To compare years:

  • 2018 reported 336 mass shootings
  • 2019 had 417 mass shootings
  • 2020 reported 611 mass shootings
  • 2021 saw 693 mass shootings

As violent acts continue to rise, it is important to know your rights if the worse should ever affect your family.

Notable Settlements

Our case record and results speak for themselves. They are the fruit of our many years of experience and dedication to our clients. Notable settlements include:

$1,000,000 Settlement in a Wrongful Death Negligent Security Case Against Trailer Park
Our client was tragically shot and killed while living in her rented trailer park home. Our team’s thorough investigation revealed that the owner failed to properly address a significant violent crime problem on the premises.

Joseph Osborne Secures Multi-Million Dollar Settlement With Bayer Pharmaceuticals for $9.475 Million
Attorney Joseph A. Osborne was appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Multidistrict Litigation. The drug is used to limit bleeding during heart surgery and marketed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals.

Through aggressive advocacy and unparalleled dedication to his clients, Joseph was pleased to announce a settlement of $9.475 million with Bayer to resolve its claim.

Who can be held accountable in a negligent security case?

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

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Why Obtain a Negligent Security Lawyer?

Obtaining an experienced negligent security lawyer is crucial to the success of your claim. At Osborne & Francis Law Firm, PLLC, we are proud to offer our clients the boutique-style experience of individual attention and aggressive representation.

Our nationally acclaimed legal team has decades of combined experience. We have recovered over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients. If you or a loved one have been injured by a violent act due to negligent security, contact our esteemed attorneys today.
To schedule a free consultation, please click here or call (561) 293-2600.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can be held accountable in a negligent security case?

Property owners can be held accountable in a negligent security case. Negligent security falls under premises liability laws. When a violent act occurs on a person or company’s property, the owner or tenant may be held responsible.

Can you sue a security company?

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue a security company under a negligent security claim or breach of contract. If you own the property and the security company did not fulfill its contract obligations, you may have a claim for breach of contract. If you sustain injuries on a property owned by someone else, you may have a negligent security claim. A negligent security attorney can help you determine the liable party and recover fair compensation for your injuries.

What is the statute of limitations for negligent security cases?

In Florida, the statute of limitations (filing window) for negligent security cases is 4 years from the date of your injury. However, if you are a family member filing on behalf of a deceased loved one, the wrongful death statute applies. Family members have two years from the death of their loved ones to file a wrongful death lawsuit for negligent security.

What can a negligent security lawyer do for me?

A negligent security lawyer can evaluate your case and recover damages for your injuries. A successful negligent security claim is dependent on your attorney’s ability to investigate and gather critical evidence, accurately estimate the value of your damages, and negotiate a fair settlement. If a reasonable settlement is not offered, a negligent security lawyer can pursue a fair verdict for your claim in court.

If you or a loved one have suffered harm due to negligent security, schedule a free evaluation of your case by clicking here or calling Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600.