Assault victims often feel left out of the criminal justice system. The perpetrator of a violent crime may or may not be arrested and punished. Even if the perpetrator goes to prison, the victim’s life may never be the same.
While nothing can undo the trauma of an assault or other violent crime, victims in Florida may receive help and financial support through Crime Victim’s Services and the civil justice system.
Victims of violent crimes in Florida can seek compensation and treatment though the Office of the Attorney General Bureau of Victim Compensation. As the victim of a violent attack, you can seek compensation for disability, wage loss, loss of support and expenses. For information about applying for compensation, visit Crime Victims’ Services.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also have the right to file a civil lawsuit. While the perpetrator may have no assets, the property owner where the attack took place may have some responsibility for negligent security. Hotels, shopping centers, parking lots and other commercial establishments in Florida can be held responsible if they expose guests to risk of injury from assault, robbery, rape or other crimes. Here are some examples of negligent security:
· Missing or broken security cameras
· Inadequate lighting
· Missing or broken locks on windows or doors of hotels or apartments
· Missing or inadequately trained security guards
The law firm of Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP represents people in the Miami-Dade area and throughout Florida who have been injured due to negligent security.