A premises liability lawsuit may be possible if a property owner was negligent in providing a safe environment. Property owners may be liable for any damages resulting from an accident or injury that occurred on the property grounds. One common situation that can lead to a premises liability case is the circumstance of having negligent or inadequate security on that property.
WHAT IS NEGLIGENT OR INADEQUATE SECURITY?
Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to properly guard a person and his or her personal possessions. Commercial property owners do not have to legally guarantee the safety of every person who visits the property, but they are required to appropriately respond to any foreseeable risks or hazards. Negligent security can occur in:
- Hotels
- Grocery or retail stores
- Restaurants
- Malls
- Parking garages
- Apartment complexes
HOW IS NEGLIGENT SECURITY PROVEN?
If you were a victim of negligent security, in order to prove damages, the court must also determine that the property owner knew or should have known that someone would be injured on their property. One common factor that could attribute to this is if the property is in a high-crime area. Your personal injury attorney will be able to determine whether the owner met these requirements by analyzing public records and by speaking to local security experts. Crime statistics and other information may help build your case against the owner.
If you have been a victim of a crime that could have prevented with more adequate security on the property involved, then you will want to know what damages you could recover. However, the available damages will depend on your specific case, such as the severity of your injuries and the crime itself. Contact a premises liability attorney at the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis today to receive more information.