Tampa Negligent Security Attorney

Legal Help After Violence On Unsafe Property

Violent incidents, assaults, and attacks on someone else’s property often leave people asking the same questions. Could this have been prevented, and can the property owner be held responsible. If you or someone you love was harmed on an unsafe property in the Tampa Bay area, Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers is here to listen and help you understand your options.

Our firm has represented injured people in this region since 1955 with a focused commitment to personal injury and wrongful death cases. We combine decades of local experience with thorough preparation in every claim. Our goal is to pursue accountability from those who failed to provide reasonable security and to support clients with clear guidance throughout a difficult time.

Call (727) 591-3354 today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to implement reasonable security measures to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. Florida law recognizes that property owners must maintain safe premises, particularly when there is a known risk of crime in the area.

For example, if a business knows about prior criminal activity on or near its property but does nothing to improve safety, it may be liable if someone is later harmed.

These cases often depend on proving that:

1. The property owner owed a duty of care
2. Security measures were inadequate or nonexistent
3. The harm was foreseeable
4. The lack of security contributed to the injury

Our Tampa negligent security lawyer can investigate the circumstances and gather evidence to support your claim.

Various Forms of Security

Security measures vary depending on the type of property, location, and level of risk. Reasonable security may include a combination of physical, technological, and personnel-based protections.

Common forms of security include:

• Surveillance cameras and monitoring systems
• Security guards or patrols
• Controlled access points and locked entryways
• Proper lighting in parking lots and common areas
• Alarm systems
• Fencing or barriers
• Visitor check-in procedures
• Emergency call boxes

High-risk locations such as apartment complexes, nightclubs, and hotels often require stronger security measures due to the likelihood of criminal activity.

When Is Security Required?

Security is generally required when criminal activity is foreseeable. Property owners must evaluate risks based on factors such as:

• Prior crimes on or near the property
• The nature of the business
• The time of day operations occur
• The volume of visitors or residents
• Environmental design and visibility

For instance, a nightclub with a history of fights or violence may be expected to employ trained security staff, while an apartment complex in a high-crime area may need controlled access and surveillance.

Failure to take reasonable precautions can expose the property owner to liability if someone is harmed.

Examples of Inadequate Security

Negligent security can take many forms. Common examples include:

• Broken or missing locks on doors or gates
• Poor lighting in parking areas or hallways
• Lack of security personnel where needed
• Nonfunctional surveillance cameras
• Failure to respond to known threats or complaints
• Unsecured entry points
• Lack of tenant or guest safety procedures

These failures can increase the risk of criminal acts such as robbery, assault, or vandalism. When injuries occur because of these deficiencies, victims may have grounds to pursue a claim.

Who Is Liable for Inadequate Security?

Liability in negligent security cases often extends beyond a single party. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:

• Property owners
• Landlords
• Property management companies
• Business operators
• Event organizers
• Security companies

Each party may share responsibility for maintaining safe premises. For example, a landlord might be responsible for exterior lighting, while a business tenant is responsible for internal security measures.

Our Tampa negligent security attorney can identify all potentially liable parties and build a case against them.

Negligent Security FAQs

What qualifies as negligent security in Florida?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to provide reasonable safety measures and someone is injured as a result of a foreseeable crime.

Do I have to prove the property owner knew about crime risks?

Not necessarily. You must show the crime was foreseeable based on prior incidents, location, or other risk factors.

Can I sue if I was attacked in a parking lot?

Yes. Parking lots and garages are common locations for negligent security claims, particularly if lighting or surveillance was inadequate.

What if the attacker was caught or charged?

You may still pursue a civil claim against the property owner. Criminal and civil cases are separate.

How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in Florida?

Florida law generally limits the time to file personal injury claims. Speaking with an attorney promptly helps ensure deadlines are met.

What damages can I recover?

You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and more.

How Our Tampa Negligent Security Lawyers Help

Negligent security claims often involve complicated timelines, multiple businesses, and detailed evidence of what the property owner knew. Our attorneys begin by listening carefully to your account of what happened. We then work to gather records such as police reports, incident logs, and any available surveillance footage. We may look for prior calls to law enforcement at the same address, complaints to management, or earlier crimes that suggest the risk was not new.

In many cases, responsibility is shared among several entities, for example the property owner, a management company, or a security contractor. Our lawyers analyze leases, contracts, and insurance policies to identify who had legal duties and what coverage may apply. We build every claim with the expectation that it may go before a judge or jury, which helps us prepare a clear record of what reasonable security measures should have looked like and how the defendants fell short.

Since 1955, Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers has concentrated exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases in the Tampa Bay region. We were the first firm in Pinellas County to limit our practice in this way. Our attorneys include multiple lawyers who are Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, a distinction earned by fewer than two percent of Florida lawyers. This level of training supports our work in complex, high-stakes litigation and can be particularly important in contested negligent security cases.

We intentionally limit delegation so that a lawyer manages each case from start to finish and remains directly accessible. Clients receive consistent updates, not just occasional calls when papers are filed. When something important changes, we reach out right away. People frequently tell us they appreciate knowing what to expect, which can bring some stability at a time when so much else feels uncertain.

Our firm regularly appears in courts that hear negligent security and premises liability matters arising in this area, including the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in Hillsborough County. We have recovered more than $675 million for injured clients over the years, including in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. While every case is different, this history reflects the resources and persistence we bring when pursuing accountability for serious harm on unsafe property.

If another law firm has already started a case but you feel it has stalled, we can review what has been done and discuss whether we are able to take over. Our attorneys often step into matters that need a more structured approach. In all situations, we work to guide clients toward outcomes that support real needs, including ongoing treatment and long-term recovery.

If you are ready to talk with a negligent security attorney Tampa victims can turn to for direct, attentive representation, contact our firm today.