Hollywood, FL Negligent Security Lawyer 

Navigating Negligent Security Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims in Hollywood, Florida

In Florida, residents and visitors have the right to feel safe in public and private spaces. Whether you’re at a shopping mall, apartment complex, hotel, nightclub, or concert venue, the property owners and operators have a duty to ensure that their premises are reasonably secure from foreseeable dangers. When they fail to uphold that responsibility and someone gets hurt due to criminal activity or unsafe conditions, the victim may have a negligent security claim.

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligent security in Hollywood, FL, don’t wait to seek legal help. Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm offers free consultations to discuss the specifics of your case and outline the steps we can take to help you recover compensation. We are also available for virtual consultations and will travel to meet clients when necessary. Call us today at 305-638-4143 to get started.

What is a Negligent Security Claim?

A negligent security claim arises when someone is injured or becomes the victim of a crime due to inadequate or absent security measures. Under Florida law, property owners and managers are responsible for providing a reasonably safe environment, especially if the crime was foreseeable. In the modern world, security concerns are real and property owners, managers, and security companies have the responsibility to make reasonable efforts to prevent reasonably foreseeable crimes.  Failing to do so can result in serious injuries or loss of life.

Negligent security claims often occur in locations such as:

• Apartment complexes
• Hotels and motels
• Parking lots and garages
• Shopping malls and retail stores
• Bars and nightclubs
• Gas Stations
• Convenience stores
• Office buildings
• Event venues
• Public parks
• Schools and universities
• Airports and transportation hubs

Negligent security claims can be brought against a variety of establishments, including popular apartment complexes like Cortland Hollywood, La Vue at Emerald Pointe Apartments, Club at Emerald Waters, Hollywood East, Town Hollywood, and others. The following residential buildings in South Florida have been involved in negligent security claims:

• Windward Vista Apartments – Lauderhill, FL 
•  Suncoast Place Apartments – North Miami Beach, FL 
• Manatee Bay apartments – Boynton Beach, FL
• One Paraiso Condos – Miami, FL 
• Hampton Court Apartments – West Palm Beach , FL 
• The New World Condo Apartments – Miami Gardens, FL 
• Bay Winds Apartments – Miami, FL 
• Palm Aire Gardens Apartments – Pompano Beach – FL

Hotels such as The Diplomat Beach Resort, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Hyde Beach House must also maintain adequate security for their guests. Bars and clubs, including Daer Nightclub, Spice Club Hollywood, and Social Room, are responsible for ensuring the safety of their patrons with appropriate security staff, lighting, and crowd control.

If you have been a victim of crime due to negligent security at any of these establishments or others in the Hollywood area, Flanagan & Bodenheimer is here to help. We will thoroughly investigate your case, gather the necessary evidence, and work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today at 305-638-4143 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

What Types of Accidents Can Happen Due to Negligent Security?

Assaults and Physical Attacks

One of the most common types of accidents that occur due to negligent security is assaults. Examples of violent assaults include:

• Muggings: Victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or even death when attacked in poorly lit parking lots or areas without security.
• Armed robberies: The lack of security guards or alarm systems can result in fatal confrontations with criminals.
• Physical altercations: In places like nightclubs or event venues, insufficient crowd control or a lack of trained security staff can lead to fights that result in serious injuries or wrongful death.

Sexual Assaults

Inadequate security measures can create opportunities for sexual assaults, especially in places like apartment complexes, hotels, or parking garages. Poor lighting, malfunctioning access systems, or the absence of security personnel can leave residents and guests vulnerable to attackers. Sexual assaults often leave victims with long-lasting physical injuries, emotional trauma, and in extreme cases, may even lead to wrongful death.

Shootings and Gun Violence

Shootings or other violent incidents are unfortunately a potential risk in areas with negligent security, particularly in public venues such as nightclubs, bars, and concert halls. When security staff are not trained, metal detectors are not used, or entry points are not adequately controlled, it creates an environment where violent incidents can take place. In these cases, property owners may be held liable for failing to implement reasonable precautions to protect patrons. Our law firm has recovered millions of dollars in wrongful death claims for victims of shootings due to negligent security. 

Slip and Fall Accidents During Escapes

When criminal activity occurs due to negligent security, people may rush to escape, leading to slip and fall accidents. Crowded areas like malls, theaters, or event venues may not have clearly marked exits or secure pathways, which can result in visitors getting injured while fleeing a dangerous situation. Additionally, in places where security personnel are insufficient or absent, chaotic crowd movement can lead to severe injuries.

Domestic Violence in Negligent Residential Complexes

Apartment complexes or residential communities with insufficient security measures can put residents at increased risk of domestic violence, stalking, or other forms of violence. Property owners who fail to address known threats or who do not provide proper security protections, such as functional locks, security patrols, or controlled access, may be liable for any fatal outcomes.

Fatal Stampedes or Trampling During Emergencies

Crowded venues like concerts, sporting events, or amusement parks require trained security personnel and clear emergency plans to prevent chaos in case of an emergency. When security is insufficient or exits are not properly marked, large groups of people may panic, leading to stampedes or trampling.

In these situations, individuals can be crushed or fatally injured as they try to escape. These tragedies may lead to wrongful death claims against property owners who failed to ensure the safety of their guests.

Common Causes For Negligent Security

Negligent security claims often arise from cost-cutting measures or a lack of awareness. Property owners might try to reduce expenses by failing to hire adequate security staff or install proper lighting. In other cases, owners may not fully assess the crime risks in the area or fail to upgrade their security measures when crime rates rise. However, ignorance is not an excuse, and owners must take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their premises.

Here are some examples of scenarios that might lead to a claim:

• Poor lighting in a parking lot: A poorly lit parking area may provide cover for criminals to attack or rob unsuspecting individuals.
• Lack of security personnel: In high-crime areas, the absence of trained security guards can increase the risk of assaults or thefts.
• Broken locks or gates: Apartment complexes or hotels with broken or faulty locks leave residents and guests vulnerable to intruders.
• Inadequate security cameras: Cameras that don’t work properly or aren’t monitored can allow criminal activities to go unnoticed.
• Failure to warn: Property owners who are aware of a history of crime in the area but do not warn residents or patrons may be held responsible if another crime occurs.
• Unsecured entrances and exits: Public buildings, such as offices or event venues, with unsecured doors or entrances can allow unauthorized individuals to enter and commit crimes.
• Failure to hire trained security personnel: Property owners who hire unqualified or inadequately trained security staff may leave visitors vulnerable to attacks or robberies.
• Inadequate emergency response plans: Venues that fail to implement proper emergency response plans, such as for handling active shooters or other violent situations, may leave visitors vulnerable when a crisis occurs.

Liability in Hollywood Negligent Security Claims

To successfully pursue a negligent security claim in Hollywood, FL, you need to demonstrate several key elements outlined in several different Florida cases:

1. Duty of Care: The property owner or manager had a duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors or residents.
2. Breach of Duty: The property owner failed to implement adequate security measures, such as lighting, locks, security personnel, or others.
3. Foreseeability:  The crime that occurred was reasonably foreseeable from the perspective of the Defendant.
4. Preventability:  Reasonable security measures more likely than not would have prevented the crime.
5. Causation: The lack of adequate security directly led to your injuries or the criminal activity that caused harm.
6. Damages: Physical injury or death.

Recent Changes to Florida Negligent Security Laws: What You Need to Know About HB 837

In 2023, Florida passed House Bill 837 (HB 837), introducing significant changes to the state’s negligent security laws, especially for multifamily residential properties. Under the new law, property owners and operators can avoid liability for injuries resulting from criminal acts (not committed by employees) if they implement specific security measures. These measures include installing security cameras at entry and exit points, maintaining adequate lighting in common areas, peep holes on resident doors, ensuring deadbolt locks on exterior doors, and using security gates or fences around the property. If these requirements are met, property owners are entitled to a presumption of reasonable security, making it more challenging for victims of crimes to successfully claim negligent security.

Additionally, HB 837 reduced the statute of limitations for filing negligent security lawsuits from four years to two years, requiring victims to act faster. These changes make it critical for both victims and property owners to understand their rights and responsibilities. Our Hollywood negligent security lawyers remain committed to helping victims navigate these new legal complexities and pursue justice.

Negligent Security Wrongful Death Claims in Florida

Filing a wrongful death claim due to negligent security in Hollywood, FL, is a legal option for families who have lost a loved one due to a property owner’s failure to provide adequate safety measures. When a criminal act, such as a shooting, assault, or robbery, occurs on a property and results in a fatality, the property owner may be held liable if they did not take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable dangers. 

In Florida, only certain family members are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Under the state’s Wrongful Death Act, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file the claim on behalf of surviving family members. Typically, this includes the deceased’s spouse, children, and parents. In some cases, other relatives, such as dependent siblings or blood relatives who were financially reliant on the deceased, may also be eligible. The claim can seek compensation for a variety of damages, including funeral expenses, lost income, medical bills, and the emotional suffering caused by the loss of a loved one.

Our Hollywood wrongful death attorneys are dedicated to helping families navigate the complex legal process of filing wrongful death claims and securing justice for their loss. We have recovered millions of dollars for families in wrongful death cases throughout Florida. 

Free Consultation With a Hollywood, FL Negligent Security Lawyer

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer, we take negligent security cases seriously because we understand how life-altering these incidents can be. Unlike other law firms that spread themselves thin across multiple practice areas, our team focuses on personal injury and wrongful death cases, ensuring that we provide focused and strategic legal representation. 

We take the time to thoroughly investigate your claim, work with security experts, and advocate for your rights in court. Whether the crime occurred at a hotel, an apartment complex, or another public space, we are prepared to pursue the maximum compensation available under Florida law.

Call us today at 305-638-4143 to learn more about how we can assist you with your negligent security claim.

---