The Haggard Law Firm Secures $5.5 Million Settlement in Complex Negligent Security Case Involving Domestic Violence at a Luxury Apartment Community
The Haggard Law Firm continues its commitment to holding property owners accountable when inadequate security contributes to preventable tragedies. Attorneys Kimberly Wald and Michael Haggard, together with co-counsel Larry Handfield and Lauri Waldman-Ross, secured a $5.5 Million settlement in a wrongful death case involving negligent security at a luxury apartment building in South Florida.
The case illustrates an important principle of Florida premises liability law: apartment owners and management companies may have a duty to respond appropriately when warning signs of violence become apparent within their communities.
Names of the parties involved are confidential per terms of the settlement.
The Case: Domestic Violence Escalates to a Fatal Incident
The case arose from a toxic relationship between two residents of a luxury apartment building in South Florida.
According to the allegations, the couple had a documented history of confrontations that repeatedly occurred in the property’s common areas.
Despite these recurring disturbances, plaintiff alleged that the property’s management and personnel failed to take appropriate action to address the escalating situation.
The tragedy culminated when there was a dispute inside of a unit, resulting in John Doe’s death.
The wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the apartment’s inadequate security measures and failure to intervene contributed to the fatal outcome.
The Negligent Security Allegations
The lawsuit centered on whether apartment management acted reasonably after becoming aware of repeated disturbances involving the couple.
Specifically, the plaintiff alleged that:
- On site personnel were aware of prior disturbances involving the residents.
- Multiple confrontations had occurred in common areas of the property.
- Management and security personnel failed to use available emergency access to intervene when circumstances warranted.
Can Apartment Owners Be Liable for Violent Crimes?
Many people assume property owners are never responsible for crimes committed by one resident against another.
That is not always the case.
Under Florida law, apartment owners and property managers have a duty to exercise reasonable care in maintaining safe premises. While they are not insurers of every person’s safety, they may be liable when foreseeable risks are ignored, and reasonable security measures are not implemented.
Each negligent security case depends on its unique facts, including:
- Whether prior incidents made violence foreseeable.
- What information management and security personnel knew.
- Whether appropriate policies existed.
- Whether security personnel responded reasonably.
- Whether reasonable intervention could have reduced or prevented the harm.
Domestic Violence and Apartment Security
Domestic violence presents unique challenges for apartment owners and security providers.
Repeated incidents occurring in common areas can place not only the individuals involved at risk but also neighbors, guests, and staff members.
Apartment communities should have procedures for:
- Documenting repeated disturbances
- Responding appropriately to escalating conflicts
- Coordinating with law enforcement when necessary
- Training security personnel on emergency response protocols
- Following established safety policies during emergencies
The Importance of Experienced Negligent Security Attorneys
Negligent security cases often involve complex legal and factual issues, especially when criminal acts occur on private property.
These cases require extensive investigation.
The Haggard Law Firm has decades of experience handling high-stakes negligent security and wrongful death litigation involving apartment complexes, hotels, shopping centers, parking garages, and other commercial properties.
Holding Property Owners Accountable
The $5.5 Million settlement obtained by The Haggard Law Firm reflects the importance of investigating whether reasonable security measures could have prevented a fatal act of violence.
While no settlement can replace the loss of a loved one, civil litigation can provide financial accountability and encourage property owners to improve safety measures that may help prevent future tragedies.
Contact The Haggard Law Firm
If you or your family has suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one due to inadequate security at an apartment complex, condominium, hotel, or commercial property, The Haggard Law Firm can help evaluate your legal options.
For more than 50 years, The Haggard Law Firm has represented victims of negligent security, premises liability, and wrongful death cases throughout Florida and across the United States.
