With its sandy beaches and vibrant nightlife, South Florida remains one of the busiest tourist destinations in the world – a fact well known among many local criminals. Indeed, all too often, tourists expecting to have the time of their lives find themselves the victims of physical assaults, muggings and other thefts.
Even though there are many reasons why criminals specifically target tourists, some of the more common ones include:
- Tourists often carry large amounts of cash and other valuables such as cameras
- Tourists are often more vulnerable since they are unfamiliar with their surroundings
- Tourists are typically less likely than local residents to report a crime to police
- Tourists often have difficulty identifying alleged perpetrators
- Tourists are typically less likely to return to South Florida to testify in a criminal case should police arrest the alleged perpetrator
Do I have any other legal options available?
If you or a family member is injured by a criminal assailant, it is important to remember that you may have legal recourse available in addition to criminal charges. In fact, not only can you seek damages from the criminal offender – if he or she is identified or apprehended by police – but you may also have a claim against a hotel or resort if your assault took place on their premises.
For instance, if the hotel was negligent with its security measures – including inoperable or non-existent security cameras, broken locks or inadequate security lighting – you may have a claim. In any case, it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to learn what legal options may be available to you.