If you were the victim of a criminal act on someone else’s property in Sanford, you may have a right to seek payment through a negligent security claim. Property owners and business owners in Florida have a legal duty to keep their premises safe. When they fail to provide basic security measures, they can be held liable for the harm that results. A Sanford negligent security lawyer at Spetsas Buist can help you pursue fair compensation for what you have been through.
Our law firm used to defend security firms and insurance companies in security cases. We switched sides to help injured people instead. That background gives us a clear view of how the defense works and what tactics they rely on. We use that knowledge to build a strong case for every client we represent.
Call us at (321) LAWSUIT for a free consultation. When you work with us, you will speak with your lawyer, not a call center. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Understanding Negligent Security in Florida
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim under Florida law. It applies when a property owner fails to take fair steps to prevent crime on their property, and someone gets hurt as a result.
Property owners must protect lawful visitors from risks they know about or should know about. If a property has a history of crime, past safety complaints, or known dangers nearby, the owner is expected to act. When they ignore those warning signs and a criminal act injures someone, the owner can be held responsible. A Sanford negligent security lawyer at our firm can look into the facts and tell you whether the property owner broke their duty of care.
Security Measures Property Owners Must Provide
The steps a property owner must take depend on the type of property and the level of risk. The more an owner knows about crime in the area, the more they are expected to do. Common security measures that may be required include:
- Working security camera systems in key areas of the property
- Good lighting in parking lots, stairwells, walkways, and entry points
- Locks, gates, and access systems that work the way they should
- Trained security guards at places where the risk of crime is high
- Quick response to safety complaints and reports of crime on or near the property
- Alarm systems linked to law enforcement
Florida Statutes § 812.173 sets added rules for convenience stores that are open late. These stores must have working cameras, bright lighting, silent alarms, and at least two workers on duty between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Where These Claims Arise in Sanford
Sanford sits along Lake Monroe in Seminole County, with a mix of historic neighborhoods, busy retail corridors, and growing residential areas. This creates many settings where negligent security cases can come up, including:
- Apartment complexes and rental housing along SR 46 and near the Seminole Towne Center
- Hotels and motels near the I-4 and SR 417 interchanges
- Bars and restaurants in the Historic Downtown district along First Street
- Retail centers and shopping plazas off US 17-92 and along Rinehart Road
- Gas stations and convenience stores on US 17-92 and SR 46
- Parking lots and garages near the SunRail station and the Sanford RiverWalk
A bar owner who draws large crowds to the downtown area but does not hire security staff may be liable if a patron is attacked. A landlord who knows about break-ins at their complex but does not fix a broken gate could face a claim from a tenant who is harmed. Our personal injury lawyers look into these failures to help you hold the right parties accountable.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
Crimes caused by poor security can leave victims with wide ranging harm. If you were hurt due to negligent security in Sanford, you may be able to recover compensation for losses that include:
- Medical bills and the cost of future care
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death damages, if a crime took the life of a loved one
Insurance companies often try to reduce what they pay on personal injury cases. They may claim the crime could not have been prevented or that you share some of the blame. An Orlando negligent security lawyer or Sanford negligent security lawyer at our firm knows how to push back against these tactics and fight for the full value of your personal injury claim.
Parties Who May Be Held Liable
Fault in a negligent security case can reach beyond the person who carried out the crime. Our team represents clients across Central Florida and investigates every party who may share blame, including:
- Property owners and landlords
- Property management companies
- Business owners and commercial tenants
- Hotels and hospitality operators
- Hired security firms
- HOAs and event organizers
Each liable party may carry its own insurance. Finding all of them is one of the most important steps our attorneys take to build a strong case and maximize the money available to pay your claim.
How Our Law Firm Handles Your Case
When you hire Spetsas Buist, our team gets to work right away. Our process includes:
- Retrieving and saving security camera footage, access logs, and incident reports before they can be deleted
- Bringing in security experts to judge whether the property met accepted safety standards
- Reviewing the property’s crime history and pulling police reports from the area
- Tracking down every liable party and locating all insurance policies that may apply
- Talking with witnesses, police officers, and investigators
Our attorneys went to law school, spent years defending businesses and insurance companies, and then made the choice to fight for injured people instead. That experience on both sides of these cases gives us an edge most firms do not have. We prepare every case as though it will go to trial. You can read what our clients have to say and review our case results to see results we have achieved.
Filing Deadline for Negligent Security Claims
Florida law gives you two years from the date of the incident to file a negligent security claim. If the case involves a wrongful death, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Missing this window could mean losing your right to seek payment. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can preserve evidence and start building your case.
Contact a Sanford Negligent Security Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you or a family member was hurt due to negligent security at a property in Sanford or the wider Seminole County area, our personal injury law firm is here to help. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. In addition to negligent security, our firm also handles medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other serious injury cases across Central Florida.
Contact us today or call (321) LAWSUIT to set up a free consultation with a Sanford negligent security lawyer. We can provide legal advice about your situation, evaluate your claim, and explain what steps to take next.
We serve clients in Sanford and nearby areas, including Lake Mary, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Deltona, DeBary, and all of Central Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions About Negligent Security in Sanford
Can I file a negligent security claim if the person who attacked me was never caught?
Yes. A negligent security claim is a civil case against the property owner, not a criminal case against the attacker. Your claim is based on the owner's failure to keep the property safe. You can move forward whether or not police identified or arrested the person who committed the crime.
What should I do right after a crime occurs on someone else's property?
Call 911 and get medical attention first, even if your injuries seem minor. If it is safe to do so, take photos or video of the scene, including any broken lights, cameras, gates, or locks. Save the names and contact details of any witnesses. Avoid giving a recorded statement to the property owner's insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly, so reaching out to an attorney early helps protect your claim.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for what happened?
Florida follows a comparative negligence system. This means your compensation may be reduced by your share of fault, but you do not automatically lose your right to recover. For example, if a jury finds you 20 percent at fault, your total award would be reduced by that amount. An attorney can help you understand how this rule may apply to your situation.
What if the property owner claims they did not know about any crime in the area?
Property owners have a duty to stay informed about risks on and around their property. Courts may look at police reports, prior incident records, tenant complaints, and publicly available crime data to determine whether the owner should have known about the danger. A claim that the owner was unaware is a common defense, and one our attorneys are prepared to challenge with evidence.
How long does a negligent security case typically take to resolve?
Every case is different. Some resolve in a matter of months through a settlement, while others take a year or more if they go to trial. The timeline depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, how many parties are involved, and whether the defense cooperates with discovery. Our firm prepares every case for trial from the start, which often speeds up the process by putting pressure on the other side to settle at fair value.
Do I need to file a police report before I can pursue a negligent security claim?
A police report is not technically required to file a civil claim, but it helps. It creates an official record of the crime, documents the scene, and may include witness statements. If you did not file a report at the time, you may still be able to pursue a claim. Our attorneys can help gather alternative evidence to support your case.
Can a tenant file a negligent security claim against their own landlord?
Yes. Landlords owe a duty of care to their tenants just as they do to any other lawful visitor. If your landlord knew about safety risks, such as a broken gate, poor lighting, or prior crimes at the complex, and failed to address them, they can be held liable for injuries that result. This applies to apartment complexes, condominiums, and other rental properties in Sanford and throughout Seminole County.