$325,000 settlement – store clerk stabbed (Key West)

Shopping centers can be magnets for violent crime and robberies.  Key West and the Florida Keys is no exception to the risk of violent crime.

A woman working in a clothing store was stabbed by a man who had been loitering as part of an attempted robbery.  John Elliott Leighton brought suit against the shopping center where the attack occurred.  This happened in Key West, Florida, a tourist destination. Although this was not in an area considered “high crime” by most standards, it was frequented by homeless and vagrants.  There was a man who acted as a security guard even though he was not hired or paid to do so.  This was an admission that such a guard was necessary.

Through litigation, Mr. Leighton was able to prove that the crime was foreseeable, that there had been a history of prior criminal activity, and that the shopping center had actually used this maintenance personnel to act as security guards but without uniforms.  A confidential settlement of $325,000 was obtained, thus securing financial security for this wonderful innocent victim.  D.M. v. Shopping Center, U.S. District Court, SD Fla.

Shopping centers continue to be places where a lack of security can result in violence and sexual assaults. Leighton Panoff Law will fight for the legal rights of survivors of robberies, rapes and assaults.

 

Disclaimer: The information about past verdicts and settlements of the firm’s cases are based on the unique facts of each case. These amounts reflect the gross recovery in each case (before attorneys fees, expenses and medical costs are deducted). Although these results were obtained by our firm, they may not indicate the success or value of any other case. By clicking on Verdicts and Settlements you are acknowledging that each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The information contained here has not been reviewed or approved by The Florida Bar.