When you’re confronted, restrained, or harmed by someone who had no right to do so, the impact can be immediate and lasting. Cases involving assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach often arise from private security using unnecessary force. We help you understand your rights, hold the right parties accountable, and move forward with clarity and support.
Pursue Accountability for Excessive Force
Under Florida law, offenses like assault, battery, and false imprisonment are recognized as serious acts of violence, often grouped within broader categories of violent or domestic crimes. In 2020 alone, over 106,000 domestic violence offenses, including assault and battery, were reported statewide. Florida statutes define assault as an intentional threat creating fear of imminent harm, while battery involves actual unwanted physical contact.
Assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach often arise when private security guards use unnecessary or excessive force. Assault involves placing someone in fear of harm; battery occurs when force is actually used, such as striking, restraining, or pushing someone without justification; and false imprisonment happens when a person is intentionally confined against their will without lawful authority. These cases frequently occur due to negligent hiring, poor training, or aggressive tactics by security companies.
The Graham Difference
When you’re dealing with assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach, especially involving private security, who you choose matters. We are a trial-focused firm led by husband-and-wife lawyers Thomas D. Graham and Megan Arnold. We take on a limited number of cases so we can do the work the right way: deeply, deliberately, and with a clear strategy built for trial.
We approach every case with a trauma-informed lens, understanding that these experiences are personal and often stressful. We don’t treat you like a file or push you through a system. We take the time to understand your story, prepare you for what’s ahead, and handle the pressure on your behalf. Our work is grounded in accountability: holding security companies responsible when their choices cause harm, and pursuing the best possible outcome.
Common Reasons for Assault, Battery & False Imprisonment
Cases involving assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach often stem from preventable failures, especially when private security oversteps its authority or acts without proper training or oversight. These incidents are rarely isolated.
They are usually the result of systemic issues that lead to unnecessary harm, such as:
- Using excessive or unjustified force during routine interactions
- Detaining individuals without legal authority or proper cause
- Failing to properly train or supervise security personnel
- Escalating situations that could have been safely de-escalated
- Conducting unlawful searches or physical restraints
- Misidentifying individuals and acting on incorrect assumptions
- Ignoring established safety protocols or company policies
- Hiring unqualified or improperly vetted security guards
Who Can Be Held Liable for Assault, Battery & False Imprisonment?
Determining liability in assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach requires a careful, fact-driven analysis. We carefully look beyond the immediate incident to understand what led to it: examining security policies, training practices, supervision, and whether the use of force was justified. These cases often involve preventable failures, not isolated mistakes.
Liability may extend to the individual guard, the private security company, such as Allied Universal or Wackenhut, and the property owner or business that hired or retained them. When companies fail to properly hire, train, or supervise personnel, or tolerate aggressive practices, they can be held responsible. We work to identify every possible accountable party.
Millions Recovered for Complex, High-stakes Cases
We prepare every case as if it will be tried, building it with care, strategy, and an understanding of what our clients have been through.
While every case is different, our track record reflects our commitment to holding powerful parties accountable.
- $1.6 million for a wrongful death involving an armed security guard who claimed Florida’s stand your ground immunity
- $1.4 million for an ankle fracture caused by unsafe conditions at a hotel property
- Confidential settlement for a sexual assault at a chiropractor’s office involving abuse of authority
- Confidential settlement against a religious institution for sexual assault and institutional failure
What to Do After an Assault, Battery, or False Imprisonment
What you do in the moments and days after an incident can affect your safety, your recovery, and your ability to hold the right parties accountable. Cases involving assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach, especially those involving private security, often require quick, thoughtful action.
Consider the following steps:
- Seek immediate medical attention and document all injuries
- Report the incident to law enforcement and request a written report
- Preserve any evidence, including clothing, photos, or video footage
- Identify witnesses and collect their contact information
- Avoid discussing the incident with security companies or insurers
- Document your experience and symptoms as they develop
- Request incident reports from the property or security provider
- Contact a trial lawyer experienced in excessive force cases
Contact Lawyers Who Truly Care
If you’ve experienced assault, battery & false imprisonment in Miami Beach, you deserve clear answers and steady guidance. These cases can feel overwhelming, especially when private security or large companies are involved. We’re here to listen, explain your options, and take that weight off your shoulders. Contact us for a free, confidential case review.
