Seminole Inadequate Security Lawyer

Inadequate Security Attorney in Seminole, FL

Businesses and property owners have a certain level of responsibility to maintain safe premises for lawful visitors. This includes ensuring that their property has sufficient security for expected hazards in the area, including violent crime and theft. If insufficient security caused you to be injured in a violent offense, the property owner might be liable for the damages you suffered. A Seminole inadequate security lawyer can help you file this claim.

Get the Support of a Dedicated and Fierce Seminole Inadequate Security Attorney

Ronald Bone, P.A. has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases in trial. Our firm has served injured individuals all along the Gulf Coast for almost 40 years. When a property owner has inadequate security at a hotel, an apartment complex, or a venue, you can face serious injuries from criminal actions. Our firm helps you hold negligent parties liable for your medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost income.

When you work with our firm, you work with an experienced trial attorney who is able to fiercely defend your rights and advocate for you in court. Our team is focused on you and what you need to recover. We are AV-rated through Martindale-Hubbell* and take referrals from attorneys who do not want to take cases to court.

In Florida circuit courts, there were 477 filings and 688 dispositions of negligent security cases in fiscal year 2024 to 2025. This includes circuit courts like the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, where our firm has experience handling cases. If you or someone you love was seriously hurt by criminal acts on someone else’s property, we could help you get the compensation you are owed.

What Is Negligent Security?

A negligent security claim occurs when you are injured because of a criminal offense, and this offense happened because a property owner failed to ensure sufficient security measures to prevent crime. Criminal offenses can include assault and battery, burglary, robbery, sexual assault, shootings, and other offenses.

In 2024, there were 753 convictions for battery in Pinellas County, 37 convictions for sexual assault, and 81 convictions for aggravated assault with a weapon. These offenses can result in serious injuries. There were 205 hospitalizations in Pinellas County in 2020 that resulted from assaults.

What Are Examples of Negligent Security in Seminole?

There are failures on the property that might point to negligent security. If those failures led to the crime committed against you, this can be evidence for a negligent security claim. Examples of negligent security can include:

• Missing or broken gates. Gated and walled buildings can improve the security of a home or commercial location. If property needs a gate or wall to keep out intruders and doesn’t have one, this can be considered inadequate security. Having those measures in place but failing to ensure they function can also point to inadequate security.
• Broken locks. Poor quality or broken locks can make it easy for people to enter a building when they aren’t allowed on the property. This can lead to robberies, assaults, and other criminal offenses.
• Unused or lack of a security system. Security systems can include cameras, automatic locking doors, and alarms. These systems are important for many property owners to put into place, especially at concert venues, hotels, storage facilities, and other properties. If a property owner puts a system in place but doesn’t use it or turn the cameras and alarms on, this could also be considered negligent security. This is also the case if the cameras are not placed in reasonably useful locations.
• Insufficient lighting. Low lighting or burned-out lights can create blind spots for a camera security system. This can lead to crimes because offenders feel hidden or because they can get into property through blind spots. Property owners should work to ensure proper lighting and replace broken fixtures.
• No security personnel. Certain locations and building types have a higher risk of crimes, and property owners need to hire security personnel to ensure the safety of the guests.
• Poorly trained security personnel. If a property owner hires security personnel but fails to train them to respond appropriately to threats and offenses, to safeguard the property, and to ensure safety, this can also be considered negligent security.
• Insufficient response to crimes. When criminal offenses do occur on the property, property owners should react appropriately. This includes taking additional security measures to prevent further criminal offenses. If past robberies or violent assaults occurred on the property, and the property owner did not alter their security protocols, this can be considered negligent security if the crimes occur again.

There are many other examples of potential failures in the security of a property, depending on the specifics of your case. Your insurance or civil claim is separate from any criminal case filed against the criminal offender. Even if the offender is never found, you can still file a negligent security case.

Where Do Negligent Security Claims Often Happen in Seminole?

There are many public and private locations in Seminole that need security to provide safety and protection for individuals and their belongings. This includes:

• Hotels and motels
• Shopping centers
• Retail shops
• Concert and event venues
• Stadiums
• Apartment complexes
• Condominiums
• Residential communities
• Amusement parks
• Public transportation
• Parking garages
• Parking lots
• Banks
• ATMs
• Gas stations
• Car washes
• Bars and restaurants
• Nightclubs
• Storage facilities
• Nursing homes

When these facilities fail to put appropriate measures in place, people can get hurt. If the property owner should have been aware of the risk but failed to address it, they can be held liable for your injuries.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Negligent Security Claim?

A personal injury lawyer helps with a negligent security claim in many ways and can improve your chances of success. If you are unsure whether or not you have the grounds for a case, an attorney can assess your unique situation and advise you on your next steps. There are many things an attorney can do to help with your case, including:

• Investigate the scene of the incident, including what security is present currently and whether that security was present at the time of the incident
• Gather evidence to help support your claim, including proving that there were foreseeable dangers and the property owner failed to ensure enough security
• Review and calculate your injuries and other damages to determine what you are owed
• Negotiate an insurance claim
• Verify you meet legal requirements, including the two-year statute of limitations for filing a civil claim
• Take the case to court

An attorney also gives you more certainty about the case, walking you through each step and all your options for financial recovery. They answer any questions you have and discuss your concerns. This support is often essential after a stressful and traumatic incident, and it also lets you know what to expect in your case.

FAQs

What Constitutes Negligent Security?

Negligent security can include failures like broken or insufficient locks, a lack of lighting in hallways, parking lots, or entry locations to the property, malfunctioning or nonworking security cameras, or insufficient security personnel. When these failures lead to a crime, and the property owner was aware or reasonably should have been aware of the risk of crimes on the property, injured parties can file a claim against the property owner.

Can You File a Civil Claim for Not Enough Security?

Yes, you may be able to file a civil claim for not enough security if you were injured or suffered other damages because of a criminal offense on the property. These cases often begin with negotiations with the property’s insurance company. However, if it isn’t possible to get a reasonable settlement from the company, then you may be able to file a claim in civil court. An attorney navigates this process and works for the compensation you are owed.

Why Should You Hire an Inadequate Security Lawyer in Seminole?

You should hire an inadequate security lawyer in Seminole because you are more likely to have a successful claim and also have a better chance of securing full and fair compensation. While an attorney cannot guarantee any outcome, they take several steps to make your case stronger, improving your chances of success. They investigate the incident, assess existing security measures, determine the security needs of the building, and calculate your damages.

How Much Can You Get in a Negligent Security Claim in Florida?

The amount you can recover in a negligent security claim in Florida depends on the injuries and damages you suffered, as well as other factors. Generally, if you have more serious injuries, you can recover more compensation. This is because you have more costly medical bills and must take more time off work, increasing your financial losses.

There are other factors that influence your claim’s value, like if you are partially at fault for the accident.

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Your Seminole Inadequate Security Attorney

Criminal offenses and other incidents caused by negligent security can lead to serious injuries and psychological trauma. After such a serious incident, you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance companies who undermine your injuries and your case.

Ronald Bone, P.A. knows how to navigate these cases and advocate for your interests, and can deal with the insurer for you. Our firm is also incredibly capable in court and is ready to take your case to trial if necessary. Contact our team today.

*Recognition criteria vary by organization. Awards do not guarantee future results.