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Florida Crime Victims Rights Lawyers
Updated October 2026
Florida crime victim lawyers help people injured by a crime, and families of those killed, pursue civil claims for money damages. A claim may be brought against the attacker and, in many cases, against a property owner, business, or employer whose inadequate security or negligence may have allowed the crime to happen.
If you or a loved one was hurt by a crime anywhere in Florida, call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 for a free consultation.
Florida Crime Victim Civil Claims at a Glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can a crime victim sue in Florida? | Florida law may allow a crime victim, or the family of a person killed, to pursue a civil claim for money damages. |
| Who can be held responsible? | The attacker, and possibly a property owner, manager, business, school, day care or church that failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the crime. |
| Is a civil claim the same as the criminal case? | No. The State prosecutes the criminal case. A civil claim is brought on behalf of the victim or family directly. |
| What compensation may be available? | Damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and, in some cases, punitive damages. |
| Is there a deadline? | Yes. Florida law often limits the time to bring a crime victim claim, so it helps to speak with a lawyer early. |
| What does it cost to hire the firm? | Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, and fees and costs are waived if there is no recovery. |
What Types of Crime Victim Claims Can Be Pursued in Florida?
Many violent and negligent crimes in Florida may support a civil claim, especially when a property owner or business could have done more to prevent them. Our Florida crime victim’s rights lawyers represent victims of crime and their families throughout the entire State of Florida.
Claims we handle include:
- Apartment and commercial shootings: shootings at an apartment complex or commercial property, such as a Tampa apartment shooting lawsuit.
- Burglary victims: people hurt during a break-in where security may have been lacking.
- Rape by unknown assailants: attacks at hotels, apartments, parking areas and other properties.
- Child molestation claims: including civil claims for child molestation victims and day care molestation claims.
- Church and religious organizations: molestation by church officials, including pastor and clergy sexual abuse lawsuits.
- Bar fights: injuries caused by patrons or staff at bars and clubs.
- DUI victims: people injured or killed by a drunk driver.
- Dram shop and liquor liability: claims against bar owners whose patrons hurt or kill others, explained in our guide to Florida’s Dram Shop Act.
Crimes on the road can also lead to civil claims. In 2025, there were over 92,000 hit and run crashes in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles crash dashboard.
How Is a Civil Crime Victim Claim Different From the Criminal Case?
A criminal case is brought by the State to punish the offender, while a civil claim is brought for the victim or family to seek compensation. The two can move forward separately, and a civil claim may be possible even when no one is convicted.
In the criminal case, the State Attorney generally focuses on the criminal. That is why the case is titled State of Florida vs. Defendant X, and the victim is often seen as a witness to a crime committed against the State of Florida.
In the civil case, we focus on the crime itself. Could the crime have been prevented? Was it foreseeable? If so, did someone or some company fail to adequately prevent it? Part of our job is to get victims and their families answers about why this happened and how it can be prevented in the future.
| Issue | Criminal case | Civil crime victim claim |
|---|---|---|
| Who brings it | The State Attorney | The victim or the victim’s family, through their lawyer |
| Main goal | Punishing the offender | Compensating the victim and finding out why the crime happened |
| Who may be responsible | The person charged | The attacker and possibly negligent property owners, businesses or employers |
| Role of the victim | Often treated as a witness | The party pursuing the claim |
| Possible outcome | Penalties such as jail or probation | Money damages |
Victims also have rights during the criminal process. Our page on questions and answers on victim rights in criminal proceedings covers common concerns.
When Can a Property Owner Be Liable for a Crime?
Property owners and managers may owe a duty to provide reasonable security to people on their property. When they fail to do so and someone is hurt by a foreseeable crime, Florida law may allow the injured person to recover compensation.
A claim may arise if a company or homeowner:
- Failed to provide adequate security, or any security
- Failed to conduct background checks on employees
- Negligently retained dangerous employees
- Failed to adequately maintain their premises
- Failed to put you on notice of a dangerous condition, such as the area being a high crime area
These claims can involve church groups, private schools, day cares, hotels, neighbors, apartment complexes, gated communities and ATMs. We have handled crime victim cases against many apartment complexes, private schools, day care centers, a car dealership, hotels, motels, and other properties.
For multifamily residential properties, Florida Statute §768.0706 addresses premises liability for criminal acts of third parties. Whether it applies depends on the facts of each case.
What Compensation May a Florida Crime Victim Recover?
A Florida crime victim may be able to recover both financial losses and losses that are harder to measure, such as pain and suffering. The amount depends on the injuries, the evidence and who is found responsible.
Compensation in a civil claim for a crime victim may include:
- Pain and suffering (see how pain and suffering damages work in Florida)
- Medical expense reimbursement
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Funeral expenses (if the injury was fatal)
- Out of pocket expenses
- Punitive damages
When a crime takes a life, the family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases can seek funeral expenses and other losses the family suffered.
What Should You Do After Being Hurt by a Crime in Florida?
The steps you take soon after a crime can help protect a future civil claim. Medical care and evidence come first.
- Get medical treatment and keep copies of your records and bills.
- Report the crime to law enforcement and ask for the report number.
- Take photographs of your injuries if you have any visible scars, cuts or bruises. As your body heals, these wounds may become less apparent.
- Photograph the scene, including broken locks, poor lighting, missing gates or absent security.
- Write down names of witnesses, property managers and security staff.
- Speak with a lawyer before giving statements to a property owner’s insurance company.
How Long Do You Have to File a Crime Victim Claim in Florida?
Florida law often limits the time to bring a crime victim claim, and the deadline depends on the type of claim and where the crime happened. Missing a deadline can end your right to recover.
If you are the victim of a crime on a cruise, the time to file the initial notice may be limited to 6 months, and other claims may be as long as 2 years or more. Because these limits vary, it is wise to call for a free consultation as soon as you can.
Where in Florida Does the Firm Help Crime Victims?
The Law Offices of Jason Turchin can handle victim compensation cases in every city and county in Florida. That includes areas where violent crime and inadequate security claims are common.
Our firm handles cases in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Tampa, Weston, Coral Springs, Hialeah, Overtown, Liberty City, Florida City, Boca Raton, Orlando, Panama City, West Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, Ft Myers, Naples, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Lake County, Winter Gardens and Kissimmee.
How Do You Choose a Lawyer for a Crime Victim Injury Claim?
The right lawyer for a crime victim claim is one with experience in negligent security, sexual abuse and wrongful death cases, and who can investigate how the crime happened. Look at peer ratings, client reviews and how fees are charged.
Ask whether the firm has handled cases against apartment complexes, hotels, schools and similar properties. Ask who will work on your case and how often you will hear from them.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
Attorney Jason Turchin is the founder and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, a personal injury firm based in Florida. He and his team represent crime victims and their families across Florida, from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to Tampa and Orlando.
Jason Turchin is AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026. He also received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award in 2026.
He holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating and has been named to the Super Lawyers list from 2020 through 2026.
The firm handles personal injury cases in Florida, New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and throughout the U.S. with a network of co-counsels and local counsels.
No Fees or Costs if There Is No Recovery
We handle all crime victim’s rights cases on a contingency fee. You do not have to pay our firm any money out of pocket, and we only get paid if there is a recovery.
We also waive all fees and costs if there is no recovery. We understand that you did not ask to be in this situation, and our staff is trained to help you through your victim’s rights case with care.
For additional reading on Florida law, see Florida’s vehicular homicide statute.
Florida Crime Victim Claim FAQs
Can I sue if the person who attacked me was never convicted?
Possibly. A civil claim is separate from the criminal case and uses a different standard of proof, so a claim may move forward even without a conviction.
Can I sue an apartment complex or hotel after a shooting or assault?
You may be able to if the property failed to provide reasonable security and the crime was foreseeable. Each case depends on its facts and the evidence.
Can a family file a claim if a loved one was killed in a crime?
Yes, Florida law may allow the family to pursue a wrongful death claim against those responsible, including negligent property owners or businesses.
Which law firm is best for crime victim injury claims in Miami?
No firm can promise a result, so compare experience with similar cases, peer ratings and fees. The Law Offices of Jason Turchin handles crime victim claims in Miami and throughout Florida.
How much does it cost to talk to a lawyer?
The consultation is free. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with fees and costs waived if there is no recovery.
The law in Florida is constantly changing. This information is for general information only and is not legal advice. Contact an attorney or our office if you wish to obtain legal advice.
If you or a family member was hurt or killed because of a crime in Florida, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin can review your options. Call 800-337-7755 today for a free consultation.
