Tallahassee Premises Liability Lawyers
Security is the responsibility of the property owner as part of the duty to provide reasonably safe premises. Some properties — including shopping centers, restaurants, nightclubs, and banks — must provide adequate, functional security equipment, such as surveillance cameras and alarms, and the property owner must also staff competent security guards.
Victims of inadequate security precautions have endured a range of serious injuries, including:
- Assault
- Battery
- Kidnapping or abduction
- Rape
- Murder
- Other violent crimes
At Fasig | Brooks, our Tallahassee premises liability lawyers are prepared to pursue claims against negligent property owners and negligent security companies — any party liable for your serious injury. We know how to identify and prove that security measures were inadequate, and we fight for fair compensation so our clients have the opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Do Property Owners Have a Duty to Prevent Criminal Attacks?
A key issue in any premises liability lawsuit pertaining to negligent security will involve the property owner’s duty to protect the plaintiff (injured party or representative thereof) from a criminal attack. The burden of proof for this issue was established in Amerijeirias v. Metro Dade County, 534 So.2d 812, 813 (Fla. 3rd DCA, 1988). The court stated, “…a landowner has a duty to protect an invitee on his or her premises from a criminal attack that is reasonably foreseeable.”
Determining whether a criminal attack is “reasonably foreseeable” may involve looking at previous criminal activity at that location or in the area. The type of establishment, such as a bank versus an apartment building, may also influence the duty of care required in regard to security measures.
By carefully evaluating your case against Florida legislation and case law, our Tallahassee premises liability attorneys can determine how to prove fault and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact us in Tallahassee at (850) 777-7777, Orlando at (407) 286-6000, or Jacksonville at (904) 222-3333 to learn more.
