Pinellas Park Negligent Security Lawyer

If someone seriously harms you on private property, you may qualify for compensation from the property owner in some situations. You expect a business to prioritize your safety above its profits. If its failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent known crime causes you harm, that constitutes negligence.

State law requires property and business owners to provide appropriate protection for legal visitors. Owners do not owe protection to adult trespassers, but they do if your visit is for social or business purposes. If negligence—such as poor lighting, lack of security patrols, broken entry locks, or missing surveillance cameras—results in harm to you, speak with a qualified premises liability attorney. A Pinellas Park negligent security lawyer from Herman & Wells could assess your case for free and advise you on how to proceed.

What Levels of Protection Do Property and Business Owners Owe Visitors?

Pinellas County business owners must fix known hazards, identify potential risks, and warn clients and customers of defects. Property owners should warn social visitors of known dangers and correct them promptly. However, they do not have to seek out hidden dangers.

Negligent security is a type of premises liability law. Property owners must put in place security measures to prevent visitors from being harmed by criminals. Proving an owner’s negligence can be challenging, however. Suppose someone attacks you in a restaurant parking lot. The restaurant owner may argue that they had no reason to expect danger if no crimes had previously occurred on their property. However, if police reports show that crime has recently increased in the surrounding area, the restaurant owner could be held liable for your medical bills, lost wages while recovering, emotional trauma, and psychological damage.

If you are uncertain whether negligent security measures caused your attack, one of our experienced attorneys in Pinellas Park could review your injury case and explain your options during a free consultation. When you work with us, we routinely update you throughout your case. We make ourselves available when you need us and support you in rebuilding your confidence.

Examples of Negligent Security

Negligent security cases involve a property owner owing a duty to visitors to keep them safe from danger, such as opportunistic criminals. Failing to provide the security measures a reasonable property owner would provide constitutes negligence. Some examples of negligent security are:

• Lack of outdoor lighting in dark, secluded areas, such as parking lots and garages
• Lack of security guards in an area known for crime
• Lack of security cameras and alarms in buildings accessed by strangers, such as hotels and malls
• Unlocked lobbies in buildings accessed by strangers after hours, such as banks and office buildings

Our legal team at Herman & Wells in Pinellas County could gather evidence of security negligence, such as by interviewing witnesses and reviewing any security camera footage, and then build a case for fair compensation.

Statute of Limitations for Negligent Security Lawsuits

In March 2023, the state reduced the time limit for filing a negligence lawsuit from four years to two, with some exceptions. Our Pinellas Park attorneys have decades of experience handling cases, including those involving inadequate premises safety. We can help you act quickly to ensure your claim is filed within the shortened deadline so you do not lose your right to seek compensation.

Speak With a Pinellas County Attorney About a Negligent Security Claim

Business owners who fail to keep their premises safe from criminals are negligent and should be held accountable. Whether someone attacks you in a pub fight with no security guard to stop it or robs you in a restaurant parking lot, our experienced attorneys at Herman & Wells could provide legal support.

Call us today to speak with a Pinellas Park negligent security lawyer and learn how we could help you.