Five workers were shot to death by a disgruntled former employee who turned the gun on himself early Monday morning in Orlando.
The shooting took place at Fiamma Inc. in an industrial complex on Forsyth Road. Fiamma manufactures RV awnings and other accessories, and terminated the employee in April of this year, according to WFTV. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to an incident at Fiamma in 2015 where the former employee in question faced battery accusations, according to a press conference by Sheriff Jerry Demings.
~ BREAKING NEWS. Multiple fatalities have been confirmed in Orlando, Florida, on Forsyth Road near Full… https://t.co/un9DYzLqQp @Fox35News pic.twitter.com/uNkoXIYo3Q
— Fox 35 News (@Fox35News) June 5, 2017
“We have no reports of any specific threats to members of this business or otherwise,” according to Demings. Nevertheless, the Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crime scene as an act of workplace violence.
OCSO declared the situation “contained and stable” around 9:15 a.m. today, according to WFTV. The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the attack was not terror-related.
There were seven survivors who are currently being interviewed by Orlando police. pic.twitter.com/fsuK3kaetY
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 5, 2017
Workplace incidents like this can develop suddenly, and employees may have no warning about the threat. But businesses can institute best practices to keep their employees safe.
Curbing Workplace Violence
Negligent or inadequate security lawsuits arise when a business fails to ensure the safety of its patrons on their premises. But employees can claim negligent security as well, and you’re entitled to protection in the workplace. It’s not clear if Fiamma was negligent, or could have done anything to prevent a random attack like this.
A business can be negligent if a court finds a criminal act foreseeable, meaning the company should prepare for it. Nearly two million workers report themselves as victims of workplace violence every year, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many more go unreported. High-risk factors to a worksite can include serving alcohol, exchanging money publicly, or providing services and care. A business falling under one of these categories or others may reasonably expect danger depending on the circumstances.
Some of the most effective preparations against workplace violence include a response plan for internal conflicts. Threats communicated verbally, on social media, or through physical behavior can be warning signs that real danger in the workplace may be forthcoming. Crisis management, including evaluations by a workplace violence professional or human resources, may be able to identify best practices to promote safety.
Outside threats can also affect employees. 70 percent of mass shootings occur in businesses or educational facilities, according to the FBI. Security checkpoints, cameras, and gates may lessen the likelihood of a mass shooting or other dangerous situation, and show a good faith attempt to keep workers safe from the outside. If you believe your business failed to protect you, consider enlisting a knowledgeable negligent security attorney to help you.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the crime scene. Victims are being reunited with their families at at Full Sail University nearby, and crime scene investigation is underway.
(Note: The feature photo does not represent the actual event discussed in this piece.)
(Editor’s Note: This is a news story from the ‘Morgan Monitor,’ a news wire offering legal perspectives on news in your community.)
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