I used to defend apartment complexes, hotels, and property managers in security cases.Now I represent the people who were attacked.
If you were assaulted, robbed, or shot on someone’s property, the attacker is not the only one responsible. Property owners who ignore crime on their property can be held accountable.
Florida changed these rules in 2023, and owners now have new defenses. I know them because I defended these cases.
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The things people ask first.
You can recover if you are 50% or less at fault. Your award is reduced by your share. Fla. Stat. § 768.81
No fees or costs unless we win. Your consultation is free.
If prior crimes made an attack foreseeable and the owner failed to act, the owner can be liable.
For multifamily residential property, an owner who substantially implemented required measures is presumed not liable. Those measures include a security assessment, cameras at entrances and exits, lighting in parking lots and walkways, deadbolts, window locks, locked pool gates, door peepholes, and employee training. Fla. Stat. § 768.0706
The jury now considers the criminal’s fault when dividing responsibility. Fla. Stat. § 768.0701
Your recovery is reduced by your share of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. Fla. Stat. § 768.81
Most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023 must be filed within two years. Fla. Stat. § 95.11
I know the new checklist. Since 2023, apartment owners can get a legal presumption that they are not liable if they put specific security measures in place. I know every item on that list and how to check whether the owner actually did it. If they didn’t, the presumption is gone, and your case stays strong.
I know how they shift blame to the attacker. Florida now lets a jury assign fault to the criminal. The defense uses that to shrink what the owner pays. I build the case around what the owner knew and ignored: prior crimes, broken gates, dead lights, and cut security. That keeps the focus where the money is.
I find every policy. Owners, management companies, security contractors, and tenants who control the space. Every policy found is more money available to you.
I handle your case personally. These are hard moments. You deal with your attorney, not a case manager.
Steps that protect your claim.
Get medical care and report the crime to police.
Get the police report number.
Photograph broken gates, locks, lights, or cameras.
Write down anything you know about prior crimes at the property.
Save your lease and any complaints you sent the owner.
Don’t give a statement to the property’s insurer. Call me first.
My office is on North Dale Mabry in Carrollwood. You don’t have to come to me. I’ll meet you at the office, at your home, or at the hospital. Most clients handle everything by phone, text, and email.
Bring what you have: photos, the exchange form, insurance letters, medical bills. It doesn’t need to be organized. That’s my job.
Call or text me at (813) 547-4707.
What your claim can include
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Yes, if the owner failed to take reasonable security steps and the crime was foreseeable.
Apartment owners can get a presumption against liability if they implemented specific security measures, and juries now weigh the attacker’s fault. I check whether the owner actually complied.
You can still have a claim against the property owner.
Apartments, hotels, parking lots, bars, nightclubs, gas stations, and shopping centers.
Nothing unless we win. My fee and case costs come out of the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe nothing.
Every case is handled by me. Not assistants, case managers, or call centers.
Written by Jacob Gordon, Florida Bar No. 125004 · Updated October 2026