If you have been shot or injured at an apartment complex in Florida, you or your family member could be coping with significant injuries, emotional distress, and unclear realities. One of the key questions is:
Is there any way I can hold the apartment complex owner or property owner responsible in court?
In many cases, the answer is yes, especially if the shooting happened due to negligent security. At MG Injury Law, we represent victims of violent crime who were injured because a property owner failed to keep them safe.
Whether the incident occurred in Miami, Doral, Palmetto Bay, or anywhere in Florida, we’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a form of premises liability. An owner of property, a landlord, or property manager could be held liable when they have failed to take reasonable steps to guard against criminal activity that can be anticipated.
This involves shootings, stabbings, assaults, robberies, and sexual violence.
In apartment complexes, negligent security can involve:
- Broken or missing security gates
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells or parking lots
- Non-functioning security cameras
- Absence of security foot patrolling or trained guards
- No previous response to prior incidents or tenant complaints
In the event a shooting took place on premises where violence was predictable and the property did not respond to it, they could be legally liable.
Residential vs. Commercial Property Shootings
Laws for negligent security are similar regardless of whether it is a commercial establishment or a home, but how courts determine liability can change.
Residential Properties
- When It Is a Landlord or Property Management Company’s Fault
- Landlords and property management companies have a duty to maintain common areas in a safe condition.
- If a shooting occurs in a parking lot, stairwell, or entryway, they may be liable.
- Past crimes in the area can render the incident foreseeable, which is essential to liability.
Commercial Properties
Business owners have a general duty to take care of the safety of customers and others who are on the land.
- Security guard presence
- Event size or alcohol service
- Lighting and access control
In either situation, the question becomes: Was this crime foreseeable, and was the property unreasonably unsafe?
What Do I Need to Prove a Negligent Security Case With?
Your representation will move expeditiously to develop a powerful case. That includes:
- Police reports documenting the incident
- Surveillance footage (if available)
- 911 call logs and prior police trips to the property
- Crime maps showing the local history of violence
- Witness statements and tenant complaints
- Images of broken locks, poor lighting, or missing cameras
- Maintenance records or ignored repair requests
The sooner you contact a lawyer, the faster we can preserve and collect this time-sensitive evidence.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive?
Compensation in such cases would depend on the extent of injury, trauma, or how these things impacted your life. It is common for us to assist clients in pursuing compensation for:
- Medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation)
- Long-term treatment (mental health therapy, PTSD)
- Lost wages or future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Damages for wrongful death (if a loved one was killed)
At MG Injury Law, we never take the insurance company’s first offer. We are committed to obtaining the highest possible recovery and are always willing to take your case to trial.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Florida, most negligent security claims must be filed within:
- 2 years from the date of the incident (for personal injury)
- 4 years for some sexual assault or intentional tort claims
But if you wait too long, evidence can be lost or claims tossed out. It’s critical to act quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I was shot at my apartment complex, can I sue my landlord?
Yes. If, for example, your landlord or property management company didn’t provide reasonable security measures (such as working gates, security guards, or lighting) and that failure led to the shooting, you may have a viable negligent security case.
What if the shooter was a third party?
You can still file a claim. In negligent security cases, the issue isn’t whether the landlord committed the crime – it’s whether they failed to prevent foreseeable danger by maintaining safe premises.
Do I need to be a tenant to sue?
No. Guests, delivery drivers, or anyone lawfully on the premises would have a case had they been injured as a result of negligent security.
What if there were previous shootings at the complex?
That can strengthen your case. The history of violent crime makes future episodes more predictable, and thus heightens the property owner’s duty to protect against them.
Why Choose MG Injury Law?
Our attorneys are former prosecutors who understand violent crime, and we’ve handled hundreds of high-stakes personal injury cases. We are trusted by clients across Florida because:
- We have over 600 five-star Google reviews
- We move fast and handle everything with urgency
- We offer free case reviews
- You pay nothing unless we win
Talk to a Florida Negligent Security Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a shooting at an apartment complex or commercial property, you deserve answers and justice.
Call MG Injury Law today at 305-344-4878 or send us your case details for a free, confidential review.
We serve clients in Miami, Doral, Palmetto Bay, and throughout Florida – and we’re ready to fight for you.
Mausner Graham Injury Law
Call Us Today For a Free Case Review
Serving clients across Florida with over 600 five-star reviews
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Last Updated Friday, July 18th, 2025
