Injuries at your apartment complex are more common than you might think, considering the many daily interactions you have there. In places like Fort Lauderdale, having proper security is crucial. Unfortunately, not every landlord or property manager prioritizes this, leading to situations where you or a loved one may get hurt.
If you’ve been injured due to negligent security, Cowen Edwards is here to help. We’ll walk you through your options and help you through the legal process. Contact us today to set up a free consultation.
Steps to Take After a Fort Lauderdale Negligent Security Incident at Your Apartment Complex
If you’re involved in a security issue at an apartment complex in California, it’s important to take specific steps to protect your rights and potentially build a claim:
- Get medical help as soon as you can – Seek medical attention right away, even for seemingly minor injuries. This will address any injuries. Also keep detailed records of all checkups, treatments, and related expenses.
- Report the incident to your landlord – Inform local authorities if necessary and notify the property management or landlord immediately. Ask them to create a report detailing the incident and the factors contributing to the security problem.
- Gather and preserve evidence – Use your phone or camera to take pictures and videos of where the incident happened, highlighting any security issues or hazards. Note the date and time, and collect contact details from any witnesses. Hold onto anything relevant to the incident, such as damaged items or your clothing. These could be crucial as evidence to support your case and demonstrate your losses.
- Follow up with your landlord – After reporting the incident, send a follow-up message to the property management or landlord. Explain what happened, how it affected you, and express your concerns about the security issue. Keep copies of all your communications.
Taking these steps helps ensure your rights are safeguarded and contributes to building a strong case in the event of a security problem at your apartment complex. That said, every situation is different, so it’s important to understand how liability in these scenarios is determined.
Who’s Liable After an Incident at a Fort Lauderdale Apartment Complex?
After a security incident at a Fort Lauderdale apartment complex, it’s crucial to figure out who’s responsible for your injuries and damages. Your landlord or property manager is expected to keep tenants safe by doing things like:
- Checking the premises
- Addressing issues promptly
- Alerting you about any hazards
However, in cases of negligent security causing injury, several factors come into play:
- Predictability – Whether the incident could have been expected plays a big role. If an apartment complex has a history of security problems or is in an area known for safety concerns, it might increase the likelihood of foreseeability, making the apartment complex more responsible.
- Negligence – To establish liability, it must be shown that the landlord or property manager was negligent in providing security. This could include a failure to have proper lighting, surveillance, or access control.
- Damages – Negligent security measures must directly cause your injury or harm.
While apartment complexes and their management are usually responsible in most cases, other parties may also share the blame:
- Security companies – If a hired security company doesn’t do its job adequately, it may be held responsible.
- Maintenance staff – Those responsible for security equipment maintenance could be liable if negligence or inadequate maintenance contributes to security failures.
- Alarm providers – If the apartment complex relies on alarms and the provider’s actions lead to inadequate security, they may be liable.
- Third parties – Companies outsourcing security services may be held responsible for contributing to security lapses.
- Utility companies – In certain situations, a utility company might share responsibility, especially if power issues prevent the alarm system from working.
Filing a Claim After an Incident at a Fort Lauderdale Apartment Complex
In legal terms, there are specific steps to address your injuries and losses. This usually involves identifying and taking legal action against all responsible parties, whether it’s the landlord or someone else at fault. The process includes:
- Filing an insurance claim, where you formally notify the apartment complex’s insurance company about the incident.
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit, where we’ll prepare a Complaint and file it in civil court against the apartment complex and anyone else responsible
No matter which option you choose, our experienced team can assist you Once your claim is filed, we handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company. They conduct their investigation and might offer a settlement at the end. While the decision to accept the settlement is yours, pursuing a lawsuit may be necessary to get the full extent of your damages.
In these cases, general damages may include things like
- Medical expenses – This covers financial support relating to what you spend on doctors, hospitals, medicines, or any other medical treatments because of the incident.
- Property damage – If your belongings, like your phone or clothes, got damaged in the accident, this covers the cost to fix or replace them.
- Pain and suffering – This is for the physical and emotional pain you go through because of the incident.
- Emotional distress – If the incident causes you a lot of emotional stress, like feeling really anxious or scared, these damages will cover any lasting emotional or mental damage.
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship – If the incident makes it harder for you to enjoy life or spend time with friends and family, these damages cover those losses.
- Punitive damages – In some cases, if the responsible party acted really badly or didn’t care about your safety, you might get additional damages as a way to punish them and prevent it from happening again.
Remember, each case is unique, and the outcome depends on the circumstances of the incident and the strength of your claim. Patience is crucial as the process can be time-consuming and challenging. Also, you’ll want to make sure to file your claim within Florida’s “statute of limitations” for injury claims, currently set at two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline means you won’t be able to file a claim and recover these crucial damages.
Free Consultations After a Negligent Security Incident at a Fort Lauderdale Apartment Complex
Living in Fort Lauderdale is usually an enjoyable experience, but this can be taken away when your landlord fails to meet their responsibility to your security. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a negligent security incident at your Fort Lauderdale apartment complex, our team at Cowen Edwards will be there to support you. We’ll explain your rights and guide you through the claims process to hold those responsible accountable. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
