Clearwater Negligent Security Lawyer

Have you been injured because of criminal activity at a business in Clearwater, Florida? You might have the right to sue the property owner if they had inadequate security measures in place to keep you safe. The experienced Clearwater negligent security lawyers at Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help you take a stand and demand the compensation you deserve.

We’re award-winning trial attorneys in Florida with over 300 years of combined experience. Since our founding in 1955, our law firm has been a constant source of strength and support for clients whose lives have been turned upside down by unexpected and dangerous acts of crime.

Don’t let the property owner off the hook. They failed to implement simple security measures that could have kept you safe. Call Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 591-3354 and ask for our help holding them accountable.

We also handle premises liability cases, assault injuries, slips and falls, wrongful deaths, and more. We offer a free consultation, contact our Clearwater, FL, law office today.

How Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Negligent Security Case in Clearwater, FL

How much security is enough? What types of security should the property owner or business have installed to prevent the type of attack you encountered? What will you need to prove to win your negligent security claim?

These are all critical questions as you begin to think about filing a negligent security lawsuit. However, the answers aren’t always straightforward. You’re also going to face considerable resistance from the property owner and their insurance company as they fight to prove that their security was enough.

You don’t have to handle all of this on your own. In fact, you shouldn’t. By hiring our experienced personal injury attorneys in Clearwater, FL, you give yourself the opportunity to recover and put your case in extremely qualified hands.

We’ll take care of your negligent security claim from start to finish:

• Carefully evaluate the details and circumstances of the incident
• Identify the security measures that the business or owner installed
• Determine if those security protocols were sufficient to prevent the type of criminal activity that occurred
• Determine if the criminal activity of which you were a victim was reasonably foreseeable
• Gather evidence to build and support a strong claim for damages – like crime maps, police reports, witness statements, and medical records
• Consult with experts and specialists who can provide insight into the specific details of your case
• Handle settlement negotiations with the owner, their insurer, and other parties on your behalf
• Prepare to bring your negligent security case to trial, if necessary

At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers, our negligent security attorneys in Clearwater work on a contingency fee basis. We don’t get paid a dime unless we win or settle your negligent security claim. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us by phone or online to learn more about how we can help.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security falls under the umbrella of premises liability. Simply put, property owners have an obligation to keep invited guests and visitors safe from hazardous conditions on their premises. This includes reasonably foreseeable acts of crime. 

How can property owners protect you from reasonably foreseeable acts of crime? Security.

If security is lacking and a guest is injured because of criminal activity on the premises, then the owner can be financially responsible for the guest’s injuries and/or wrongful death.

Are Property Owners Always Civilly Liable for Criminal Activity on Their Premises?

No. It’s all relative. Not every business in Clearwater will need to have security that rivals Fort Knox.

For example, a high-end jewelry store in Clearwater would need more security than a small boutique that sells moderately-priced items. Similarly, a gas station in a crime-prone part of the city would need more substantial security than a hotel in the safest part of town.

Ultimately, property owners and businesses must simply have security measures in place that are appropriate, given:

• The type of business/establishment they run
• The business’s location, and
• The type and history of crime in the area.

Depending on the specific threats that could be posed to a business, necessary security might include:

• Deadbolts and door locks
• Security cameras
• Adequate lighting on the premises, including in parking lots or parking structures
• Bouncers or security guards
• Trained staff with knowledge of how to diffuse a dangerous situation
• Signs indicating that there’s limited cash on the premises
• Signs indicating that the premises are under surveillance

Florida law does have specific security requirements for convenience stores. Under Florida Statute 812.171, a convenience store is primarily engaged in the retail sale of groceries and/or gasoline that’s open between 11 PM and 5 AM. Since these types of stores tend to be susceptible to crime, Florida law requires owners to take certain steps to reduce the likelihood of crime and protect workers and consumers.

Among other things, convenience stores must limit cash on the premises, limit signage on front windows so the view inside isn’t obscured, and have appropriate surveillance protocols in place.