Failure to provide adequate security or warnings at apartment results in liability for decedent

A Florida Jury in Palm Beach County awarded the estate of a man who was visiting his sister when he was shot and killed outside her apartment. At the time of his death he was earning about $16,000 per year.

The lawyers for the estate argued that the apartment complex owner failed to provide adequate security and warnings. The complex had experienced multiple murders, assaults, robberies and drug arrests in the past. In fact, local city police had provided the owner with numerous crime reduction recommendations which were ignored. Tenants were told by the owner that they would not be provided security.