What Is a Negligent Security Claim?

Whenever you leave your house, the last thought that is likely on your mind is being harmed or injured in a public place. Sadly, more occasions of harmful events are rising in the nation, but it’s still the responsibility of a public place to have measures in place for the safety of its visitors and customers.

Have you recently been harmed or injured in public in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? You could be entitled to seek compensation through a negligent security claim. These claims are complex legal cases that civilians can file with the help of a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer.

Here’s your guide to understanding if you qualify for a negligent security claim and the steps you need to file.

What Does “Negligent Security” Mean?

Negligent security, in legal terms, indicates that a property owner is liable for harm or injury due to a violent act that has occurred on the property. An owner of a location outside your home can be responsible for negligent security, whether it’s residential, commercial, or governmental.

Locations that could have negligent owners during security situations can include:

Restaurants
Retail and other businesses
Nightclubs or bars
Workplaces
Gas stations
Schools or universities
Hospitals or doctor’s offices
Hotels or resorts
Apartment or townhome complexes
Parks or recreational locations

The types of situations a person experiences for negligent security can range from physical harm to violent acts. For example, a slippery floor that causes you to fall and break your leg can qualify as negligent security, just as being robbed or physically assaulted on the same property can qualify as negligent security as well.

When you are physically injured due to the lack of safety on the businesses’ part, there is a potential for you to file a claim.

How Places Fail to Establish Security

It is the responsibility of the owner of a property you’re visiting to make sure security measures are in place to keep it a safe environment for guests. Although unforeseen accidents can occur and not every possible scenario can be prepared for, the vast majority of accidents can be prevented with the right security measures in place.

Ways that businesses, residential locations, and other public places can fail to establish security include:

Lack of security cameras
Poorly trained bouncers or staff
Lack of security staff or other resources
Dimly lit or broken parts in areas
Too large gatherings at events
Unproperly locked doors
Inadequate landscaping

The key for negligent security claims is to have proof that demonstrates it’s the fault of the property owner. This is where these cases can be complex and can benefit from the help of an experienced Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer.

Negligent security is a claim that is filed under personal injury. Personal injury is a legal term that states an individual was harmed due to the negligence of someone else. In this case, your injuries and damages as a result of a poorly secured area will fit into the realm of personal injury law.

Personal injury cases allow you to sue the responsible party as a way to seek compensation for your hospital bills, time off work, and possible future expenses related to the accident.

You also have the option to seek compensation for other damages such as pain and suffering or mental and physical anguish. Depending on how severe and traumatic the accident was, you could be awarded more due to the trauma, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life the accident may have caused.

Most personal injury cases are handled outside of court through settlements where you reach a fair agreement with the other party. Having an attorney on your side can help during these negotiations.

If your situation is severe enough where the vast majority or a handful of other people at the property were injured as well, you could already qualify for a case.

Step to Filing for Negligent Security

Curious to see if you have a case? Here are the steps you need to take to file for negligent security.

1. Collect Evidence

The best way to collect proof if you’ve been involved in a dangerous or harmful physical accident in public is to keep your phone nearby. Photos are worth a thousand words, and so are clear videos. If you start to notice a situation unfolding or you are injured while on public property, use your camera to snap photos or record the scene. Your attorney can use this as evidence along with other evidence they may find from the scene.

2. Be Medically Examined

Your medical records can serve as an important part of evidence for your case in negligent security claims. When you claim a public place failed to provide a safe location, you need to prove the injuries you’ve sustained. Medical records filed by doctors and other medical staff can go into detail as to what exactly you suffered from, which can greatly impact the outcome of your case, so you should not skip this step.

3. Consult with an Attorney

In order to determine if you have a case and to get started, you should contact a highly skilled Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer. If you don’t already have an attorney you’ve worked with before, you should look for those in your area to consult with first.

Here are the steps to find the right attorney:

Research local firms
Review their online reviews from previous clients
Schedule free consultations to speak with attorneys
Select the right fit

When you meet with the attorneys at free consultations, this is the time for you to ask about previous experience the attorney has working with similar cases. Due to the complexity of these lawsuits, it’s crucial for you to hire an attorney with a proven track record to handle negligent security claims successfully.

Get Started with Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers

If you have recently been injured in public due to a lack of security, you could qualify to file a negligent security claim. Residents in the Fort Lauderdale area have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, and we are ready to assist you (by appointment only).

Our firm has been in practice for the last four decades. We have the resources, knowledge, and background to help you build a successful case and give you the best advice that helps you seek the compensation you need to assist with your medical damages.

Call our firm at (561) 800-8000 to get started with a free consultation. We can then schedule a time for you to come into our office to meet with an experienced attorney so you can ask all your questions. You can also leave your contact information on our online form, and we will reach out to you.

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you during this time.