Shootings are unfortunately common in Orlando and throughout the country. In many cases, these shootings result from overt criminal acts of violence. While there are criminal consequences for those who perpetrate these crimes, the victims could also be entitled to financial compensation through a civil case.
The civil cases resulting from acts of violence are known as negligent security. A negligent security claim could be viable if the owner of the property where the shooting occurred failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. With the help of a skilled inadequate security claims attorney, holding that property owner accountable could be possible. An attorney from the Umansky Law Firm could tell you how to recover the financial assistance you need with a negligent security shooting victim claim in Orlando.
The victim of a shooting could have a viable claim for compensation for their injuries. What many people do not realize is that there could be other parties civilly liable following a shooting than just the person firing the shots. In a negligent security lawsuit, the victim of a shooting pursues compensation from the owner of the property where the attack happened.
Property owners in Orlando have an obligation to prevent violent crime on their premises in many situations. This is especially true if criminal activity is known to be common in the area. A property owner must take reasonable steps to notify guests or renters if the area is at high risk for violent crime.
The owners of property that is open to the public must also take other reasonable steps to avoid a foreseeable risk of a shooting. This could involve providing safety measures in common areas of a building, such as:
It is important to understand that not every victim of a crime will have a viable claim for compensation. This is because a property owner is only on the hook for foreseeable criminal activity. For example, the owner of a property located in a high-crime area with a history of gun violence should take reasonable steps to protect their property. The same standard might not apply to property in areas with little to no reported violent crime. An experienced attorney could help with determining whether a property owner had a duty related to the high crime in the surrounding area.
Not all shootings in Orlando are the result of criminal activity. In many cases, shooting victims are injured due to carelessness or recklessness on the part of the gun owner. Shootings can occur when a gun owner carelessly handles or cleans a loaded firearm. Negligence could also occur when a person leaves a loaded weapon where a child could find it.
Just because these shooting accidents do not result from criminal activity does not mean a civil lawsuit is out of the question. While it might not be a negligent security claim, negligent gun owners could face liability when their actions result in an accidental shooting.
If a shooting resulted in your physical injuries, you could have a viable claim for compensation. Under the theory of negligent security, you might be able to pursue a lawsuit against the owner of the property where the shooting happened. Reach out to a Umansky Law Firm attorney to discuss negligent security shooting victim claims in Orlando.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
