If you were the victim of a violent crime on someone else’s property in Jacksonville, FL, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a negligent security claim. Property owners who fail to provide adequate safety measures can be held responsible when foreseeable criminal activity leads to injury or death. A Jacksonville negligent security lawyer at Spetsas Buist can review the facts of your case and help you understand your legal options.
Our attorneys previously represented security companies and insurance companies before switching sides to represent injured people. That experience shows us exactly how the defense operates. Call us at (321) LAWSUIT for a free consultation. You will speak directly with your lawyer, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
How Negligent Security Claims Work in Florida
Negligent security falls under premises liability law in Florida. Every business or property owner has a duty of care to keep lawful visitors reasonably safe. That includes taking steps to prevent foreseeable criminal acts. When a property owner knows about security risks, such as prior criminal activity, poor lighting, broken locks, or missing cameras, and does nothing, they can be held liable for the harm that results.
A negligent security claim is pursued in civil courts, separate from any criminal case against the attacker. You do not need the attacker to be identified or convicted to hold the property owner accountable. Our Jacksonville negligent security attorneys focus on proving the owner failed to act when a reasonable person would have.
Where Negligent Security Cases Arise in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the continental United States, spanning all of Duval County. That size creates a wide range of settings where people can be harmed by inadequate security. Common locations for negligent security claims include apartment complexes and rental housing, hotels and motels along I-95 and near the Jacksonville International Airport, retail centers and shopping plazas, bars and nightclubs in the Downtown and Five Points districts, gas stations and convenience stores along US 1, US 17, and Arlington Expressway, and parking lots and garages near TIAA Bank Field and the Jacksonville Landing area.
Florida Statutes § 812.173 sets specific requirements for convenience stores that operate late at night, including working cameras, bright lighting, silent alarms, and at least two employees on duty between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. When any business or property owner ignores these standards and someone is hurt, our negligent security lawyers are ready to act.
Compensation for Victims of Negligent Security in Jacksonville
A violent crime caused by a property owner’s negligence can leave lasting damage. If you were hurt because a property owner failed to make their premises safe, you may be able to recover compensation for medical bills and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering from injuries such as broken bones, emotional distress including PTSD and anxiety, loss of quality of life, and wrongful death damages if you lost a loved one.
Insurance companies often push to settle negligent security claims for less than they are worth. An experienced Jacksonville negligent security attorney can document the full extent of your losses and push for the compensation you are entitled to under the law.
How Our Firm Handles Your Case
When we take on a negligent security case, we move quickly. Evidence like surveillance footage, security logs, and incident reports can disappear if a property owner is not put on notice early. Our team preserves that evidence, retains independent security experts, and identifies every liable party, including property owners, management companies, contracted security firms, and HOAs.
Our negligent security attorneys used to defend the other side in these exact cases. We know how insurance companies try to minimize these claims, and we use that knowledge to strengthen your position. We prepare every case as though it will go to trial. You can review our case results and see what our clients have said about working with us.
Filing Deadline for Negligent Security Claims
Under Florida’s statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to take legal action. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Missing this window could permanently bar you from filing. Contact a Jacksonville negligent security lawyer as soon as possible so we can prove your claim and protect your rights.
Contact a Jacksonville Negligent Security Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured because of inadequate security at a property in Jacksonville or anywhere in Duval County, you deserve to feel safe pursuing the compensation you are owed. Our personal injury law firm handles negligent security cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
Call us at (321) LAWSUIT to schedule a free consultation. You can also reach us online.
Areas We Serve Near Jacksonville, Florida
Our negligent security attorneys represent injury victims throughout Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. If you were harmed due to inadequate security in or near any of the following communities, we can help:
- Jacksonville Beach (32250)
- Atlantic Beach (32233)
- Neptune Beach (32266)
- Orange Park (32065, 32073)
- Fleming Island (32003)
- Ponte Vedra Beach (32082)
- Fernandina Beach (32034)
- St. Augustine (32080, 32084, 32086)
- Middleburg (32068)
- Yulee (32097)
We also handle negligent security and personal injury cases throughout Duval County, Clay County, Nassau County, and St. Johns County.
Frequently Asked Questions About Negligent Security in Jacksonville
What qualifies as a negligent security case in Jacksonville?
A negligent security case arises when a business or property owner fails to provide adequate safety measures and that failure contributes to a foreseeable violent crime. Common examples include assaults, robberies, shootings, and sexual assaults at properties with known security problems.
Can I file a negligent security claim if the attacker was never identified?
Yes. Negligent security claims are filed against the property owner in civil courts, not against the criminal. You do not need an arrest or conviction to pursue your case. The focus is on the owner’s failure to provide reasonable security.
What is the difference between negligent security and premises liability?
Negligent security is a specific type of premises liability claim. While general premises liability covers hazards like slip and falls, negligent security deals with a property owner’s failure to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal activity.
How long do I have to file a negligent security lawsuit in Florida?
You generally have two years from the date of the incident under Florida’s statute of limitations. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins on the date of death. Acting quickly helps preserve critical evidence.
What damages can I recover in a negligent security case?
You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages.