Assaults & Shootings
Violent crime can change a life in an instant. If you or someone you love has been assaulted or shot while on another person’s property, the trauma can be overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and financially. While the criminal justice system focuses on prosecuting offenders, victims also have the right to pursue a civil claim against negligent property owners who failed to provide reasonable safety. At Ligori & Ligori Injury Attorneys, we represent individuals across Florida who have suffered injuries due to assaults and shootings on unsafe premises.
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling complex premises liability claims. We are AV Preeminent Rated, listed among Best Lawyers, and members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. These honors reflect our commitment to client advocacy, professional ethics, and achieving meaningful results for victims of negligent security and property-related crime.
Why Assault and Shooting Cases Are Different
Unlike slip-and-fall or unsafe structure cases, assaults and shootings involve deliberate acts of violence by third parties. While property owners are not expected to guarantee absolute safety, they do have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of foreseeable crime. When attacks occur because of poor lighting, broken security systems, unlocked entrances, or ignored prior incidents, victims may be entitled to compensation.
In Florida, courts and juries often consider whether an assault or shooting could have been reasonably foreseen and prevented through adequate security. For example, if an apartment complex had repeated break-ins or violent incidents but failed to improve security measures, another assault may be deemed foreseeable. Similarly, if a business operates in a high-crime area but provides no surveillance, guards, or lighting, liability may be established when violence occurs.
Legal Foundation for Negligent Security
Florida law imposes a duty on property owners and operators to protect lawful visitors from unreasonable risks, including certain criminal acts. For a successful claim, the following elements are generally required:
- Duty of care: The property owner or operator owed you protection as a lawful visitor.
- Foreseeability: The assault or shooting was reasonably predictable, given prior crimes or unsafe conditions.
- Breach of duty: The property lacked reasonable security measures such as lighting, surveillance cameras, access control, or personnel.
- Causation: The security failures allowed or contributed to the crime.
- Damages: You suffered real harm—medical expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, or other losses.
Different standards apply depending on whether the victim was a guest, tenant, customer, or other type of lawful visitor. Florida’s comparative negligence system also allows damages to be reduced if the victim is found partially at fault, which makes thorough legal advocacy critical.
Common Property Owner Failures
Our experience shows that assaults and shootings often happen where owners or managers ignored warning signs such as:
- Broken or missing locks on doors, gates, or windows
- Poor or non-functioning lighting in parking lots, stairwells, hallways, or entrances
- Lack of surveillance cameras, or cameras that were present but not maintained
- No controlled access to apartments, hotels, or businesses
- Ignored tenant or guest complaints about unsafe conditions
- Repeated prior police calls or criminal activity in the area with no added security measures
- Lack of trained or adequate security personnel in high-risk areas
These failures can transform an otherwise safe environment into a setting where violent crime becomes more likely.
Emotional and Financial Impact on Victims
The effects of an assault or shooting extend far beyond the immediate physical harm. Victims may face:
- Extensive medical bills for emergency treatment, surgery, or long-term care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to injuries or emotional trauma
- Counseling and therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety
- Pain and suffering, including permanent disability or scarring
- Loss of quality of life, social withdrawal, or fear of leaving home
Families also suffer when a loved one is harmed. Civil claims allow victims to seek compensation for these damages, helping them rebuild their lives and secure needed resources for healing.
Challenges in Assault and Shooting Cases
Property owners often defend themselves aggressively in negligent security cases. They may argue that:
- The crime was random and unforeseeable
- Security measures in place were reasonable given the location
- The perpetrator alone is responsible, not the property owner
- The victim contributed to the incident through their own actions
Because of these defenses, it is essential to present clear and convincing evidence. This may include prior incident reports, crime statistics, security audits, witness testimony, video evidence, and expert analysis of industry-standard security practices.
How Ligori & Ligori Handles These Claims
Our firm takes a comprehensive approach to assaults and shootings on unsafe premises. We focus on thorough preparation, evidence gathering, and strong legal arguments. Our process often includes:
- Free case consultation: Listening to your story and advising on potential claims
- On-site investigation: Documenting the scene, including lighting, locks, and access points
- Crime history analysis: Researching prior incidents at the property and in the surrounding neighborhood
- Expert collaboration: Working with security professionals, engineers, and medical experts to establish causation and damages
- Identifying all responsible parties: Owners, property managers, landlords, security contractors, or other entities
- Negotiating with insurers: Presenting strong demand packages backed by evidence
- Trial advocacy: Taking cases to court when settlement offers are inadequate
Throughout the process, we provide consistent communication and compassionate support, recognizing that victims of violent crime need both legal and emotional guidance.
Steps to Take After an Assault or Shooting
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a violent crime on someone else’s property, you should:
- Call 911 immediately and obtain medical attention
- Request copies of police reports and incident documentation
- Photograph the scene, including lighting, locks, and surrounding conditions
- Ask management to preserve any security footage and provide incident reports
- Collect witness information and statements
- Preserve clothing and personal items involved in the incident
- Document your injuries and keep all medical records
- Contact an experienced premises liability lawyer as quickly as possible
Taking action quickly can prevent critical evidence from being lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Yes, if it can be shown that the property owner failed to provide reasonable security measures and the attack was foreseeable.
- No. Our firm handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we secure compensation for you.
- Victims may pursue compensation for medical bills, therapy costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and, in rare cases, punitive damages.
- In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases, including negligent security, is two years from the date of the incident. Early action protects your rights and preserves evidence.
- Even if the criminal is not identified or prosecuted, you may still pursue a civil claim against the property owner for failing to provide adequate security.
Speak With a Florida Assault & Shooting Attorney
If you or someone you love has been the victim of an assault or shooting on another person’s property, you are not alone. At Ligori & Ligori Injury Attorneys, we are committed to helping victims seek justice and financial recovery when property owners fail in their duty to protect visitors.
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. We will review your case, explain your legal rights, and take action to hold negligent property owners accountable.