Trial Magazine

Jeremiah Brown was staying at the vacation rental community Champions Gate in Florida. As he was leaving in his rented vehicle, two assailants carjacked Brown and fatally shot him. He is survived by his parents.

Brown’s estate sued RAMCO Protective of Orlando, Inc., which Champions Gate allegedly hired to control access to the community and to provide security guards, alleging negligent security. The plaintiff asserted that the assailants had accessed the community undetected and that the guardhouse lacked physical control barriers to prevent such an occurrence. Suit also claimed the defendant should have been extremely vigilant due to the community’s history of crime and the fact that vacationers are known targets for criminals in the area.

The parties settled for $2 million policy limits. Claims against other defendants, including the operator of the vacation rental, are pending.

Citation: Brown v. RAMCO Protective of Orlando, No. 2023-CA000769 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Osceola Cnty. Apr. 5, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Pedro Echarte, Coral Gables, Fla.; and Joey Rafaeli, Weston, Fla.