When property owners in Florida fail to provide adequate security, serious injuries can occur. Victims of assaults, robberies, and other violent crimes may not realize that the business or landlord who allowed unsafe conditions to persist can be held financially responsible. A negligent security lawyer in Fort Myers will help you to pursue compensation for the harm caused by a lack of security personnel and other failures to keep a property safe.
Learning about the types of compensation available is an important step in protecting your legal rights. Florida law allows victims to seek both economic and non-economic damages in these cases, as well as punitive damages in rare circumstances.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial costs tied to your injuries. These losses are usually documented with things like bills and receipts. Common examples include:
- Medical expenses: Hospital bills, ambulance fees, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical care you may need
- Lost income: Wages you missed while recovering, along with reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work
- Property damage: Replacement or repair costs for items damaged or stolen during the incident, such as phones, jewelry, or vehicles
- Other out-of-pocket costs: Transportation to medical appointments, prescription medications, and home modifications if your injuries left you disabled
These damages ensure that you are not left with a financial burden caused by someone else’s negligence.
Reach out to a Fort Myers premises liability lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.
Non-Economic Damages
Of course, not all losses can be calculated with financial records. Florida law also recognizes the value of non-economic damages, which account for the personal impact of your injuries. Victims of negligent security may be able to recover compensation for:
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain that stems from the assault or attack and the lasting discomfort of your injuries
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress that often follows violent encounters
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and social interactions you once enjoyed
These damages recognize that the consequences of negligent security extend far beyond financial costs and address the disruption to your daily life in addition to your overall well-being.
Punitive Damages in Florida Personal Injury Cases
In limited cases, Florida courts may award punitive damages as well. These are not meant to compensate the victim directly but to punish property owners for extreme negligence or reckless disregard for safety.
For instance, if a landlord knowingly ignored repeated violent incidents on their property without making improvements, punitive damages may apply. While less common, these awards can significantly increase the total recovery in a negligent security case. However, note that your case must generally go to trial for punitive damages to be a possibility.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Florida Negligent Security Lawyer
If you were hurt because of inadequate security, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation from the responsible property owner. Florida law gives you the right to hold negligent property owners liable for all of your economic and non-economic damages in these cases, and you can also potentially recover punitive damages in rare circumstances, too.
Contact a trusted negligent security attorney with Garvin Injury Law today to learn about your options and take the first step toward recovery. Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay attorney’s fees if we win compensation for you.