Negligent Security Lawsuits

When you go to a bar or restaurant, you want to be able to relax with your friends and family. Most business owners take reasonable security measures to make sure patrons are safe. However, careless owners put customers in danger by failing to protect them from theft or violent crime. Injury victims can hold owners accountable for inadequate security with a negligent security lawsuit.

Premises liability laws differ in every state. For more information about premises liability claims, talk to a local negligent security lawyer.

What Is a Negligent Security Lawsuit?

A negligent security lawsuit is a type of premises liability law claim. Property owners owe a duty of care to people who come on their property. Owners have to make sure the area is safe. This includes approaches, parking lots, and walkways.

Business owners have to take reasonable steps to make sure customers can visit the business without fear of assault, theft, or robbery. You can hold property owners accountable if they fail to take reasonable security measures and you suffer an injury.

What Are Common Examples of Negligent Security?

Adequate security measures can depend on the situation. Some businesses need more security than others. High-crime areas may need more security than lower-crime areas. Examples of inadequate security can include:

• Lack of security cameras in the shopping center
• Poor lighting in a retail store parking lot
• No security guards after repeated criminal attacks
• Lack of adequate lighting in common areas
• Holes in an apartment complex fence
• Broken alarm system on nursing home doors
• Motel parking garage with a broken gate

What Are the Legal Requirements for a Negligent Security Claim?

The legal requirements for a negligent security claim are similar to premises liability claims. Property owners have a duty of care to customers and visitors. The duty of care can depend on state law. Some states have different duties to customers and trespassers. Other states require owners to take reasonable measures for visitor safety.

Victims of negligent security must show the owner breached their duty by failing to take reasonable steps to make the property safe. You must prove the owner’s negligence caused your injuries and you suffered harm. Many negligent security lawsuits come down to whether the injuries were foreseeable.

The property owner doesn’t know what kinds of security dangers will happen. But they’re liable for injuries from foreseeable dangers. Reasonable security measures depend on several factors, including:

• Type of establishment
• History of criminal activity
• Local law enforcement activities
• Warnings to customers
• Types of visitors or customers

For example, imagine an apartment complex with a history of prior assaults. The property owner is on notice that they likely need better security measures.

How Do You File Negligent Security Lawsuit?

A negligent security lawsuit is a type of personal injury claim. You can file a negligent security lawsuit in civil court. You have a limited amount of time to file a civil lawsuit, depending on the statute of limitations. Talk to a personal injury attorney to make sure you file your claim in time.

A civil lawsuit starts with a complaint against the property owner (the defendant). The complaint lays out the basis for your lawsuit. The complaint includes the negligence charge and the fact that you’re seeking financial damages. A copy of the complaint goes to the property owner, and they have a chance to respond with an answer.

The civil lawsuit can continue all the way to trial, but most negligent security claims settle before going to a jury. To find out more about settling a negligent security case, talk to your personal injury lawyer.

What Kinds of Damages Can You Get in a Negligent Security Case?

When you suffer injury or harm because of negligent security measures, you can file a lawsuit for damages. A negligent security lawsuit allows you to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

You can also try to get injunctive relief. Injunctive relief requires the property owner to take specific action, like installing a security alarm or hiring more security personnel.

How Can a Premises Liability Lawyer Help?

Property owners generally fight back against any claims of negligent security. They know that you could get financial compensation for injuries caused by negligent property management. A lawyer can deal with the property owner and help you hold them accountable. A personal injury lawyer can file a negligent security lawsuit to help you get compensation. Your lawyer can also negotiate to get the maximum settlement. Contact a negligent security attorney to find out about your legal options.