What Should You Know About Suing for Negligent Security?

What Should You Know About Suing for Negligent Security?

Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises safe for visitors. When they fail to supply adequate security, innocent people can suffer severe injuries from preventable incidents. If you experienced an assault, robbery, or other violent act on someone else’s property, you might have grounds for a negligent security claim. This involves proving the owner’s lack of security directly caused your harm. In order to do so, you will need to consider:

• Where your injury occurred
• How property owners’ duty of care is evaluated
• If the evidence shows foreseeability
• The available damages you may receive in a successful claim

At SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC, we want you to understand your rights when it comes to negligent security. We invite you to reach out to our office for further guidance about your claim.

Where Does Negligent Security Occur?

Property owners must protect visitors from foreseeable harm. Criminal acts can occur anywhere, but certain locations pose a higher risk of safety failures. Common sites where negligent security can pose a threat to you include:

• Apartment buildings and residential complexes
• Parking lots and parking garages
• Shopping malls and retail stores
• Hotels and motels
• Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues

Property owners must take the proper measures to protect their visitors. Understanding the specific circumstances to see if the property owner’s actions were sufficient is essential to your claim.

How is a Property Owner’s Duty of Care Evaluated?

Property owners often have a duty of care, meaning they are responsible for taking effective measures to prevent crimes. These measures can include:

• Installing working security cameras
• Keeping the premises well-lit at night
• Hiring trained security guards
• Replacing broken door or window locks
• Fixing gates or fences

If a property owner fails to apply basic security features, they can be held responsible for injuries from crimes that occur due to a lack of security. To win a claim, you must prove the property owner owed you a duty of care and breached that duty. Courts will examine these factors to determine whether a property owner acted responsibly or not.

What Evidence Shows Foreseeability?

It’s important to understand that a property owner cannot predict every crime. For a negligent security case, you have to show that the property owner should have anticipated the crime and taken the proper security measures. A major component of filing a successful claim is proving that the property owner knew, or should have known, that an incident could occur if they did not address a security concern, and that they still did not address it. An experienced lawyer can help you collect evidence to prove the owner knew about the dangers.

Strong evidence often includes:

• Prior police reports of similar crimes in the area
• Complaints from tenants or customers regarding safety concerns
• Crime statistics for the specific neighborhood
• Evidence of broken security features like shattered gates, missing fencing, or burnt-out lights

Proper evidence can confirm that the property owner failed to secure their property and do everything they could to prevent any incidents. These factors are crucial when building a strong case, highlighting the importance of working with experienced legal professionals.

What Are Potential Damages for My Claim?

Being the victim of an attack can leave you with severe physical trauma and heavy financial burdens. However, you can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses. Available damages often include:

• Medical bills for emergency treatment, surgeries, and physical therapy
• Lost pay if your injuries prevented you from returning to work
• Pain from the physical injury and emotional distress caused by the incident
• Property damage if the attacker stole or destroyed your personal belongings

You have many legal options to hold the responsible party accountable and seek justice for your suffering. It’s important to consult legal counsel if you believe that you have suffered from a crime that is directly related to negligent security. 

Pursue Your Negligent Security Claim with SAM LAW OFFICE, LLC

If you sustained injuries due to a lack of security, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. The team at SAM LAW OFFICE LLC provides strong representation to help you secure fair compensation. Our attorneys will help you gather evidence of foreseeability and hold negligent property owners accountable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.