This concept, known as negligent security, holds property owners accountable for not providing adequate security measures. But what exactly qualifies as negligent security, and could you have grounds for a lawsuit if you’ve been harmed?
Here are some common examples of negligent security and tips for knowing when to contact an attorney.
Inadequate Lighting
Dimly lit areas, such as parking lots, stairwells, or building entrances, invite criminal activity. Poor lighting makes it easier for attackers to approach without being seen and can lead to assaults, robberies, or worse.
When property owners fail to install and maintain proper lighting in high-risk areas, they increase the likelihood of harm to visitors. If a lack of adequate lighting contributed to your injury, you may have a negligent security claim.
Lack of Security Personnel
Certain locations, especially those with high foot traffic or known safety risks, require trained security personnel. If a business or property owner fails to hire adequate security staff or doesn’t train them properly, they expose visitors to potential dangers. For example, shopping malls, nightclubs, and hotels often need guards to deter theft, assaults, or other violent crimes. If security staff were absent or failed to respond in a dangerous situation, it may support a lawsuit for negligent security.
Broken or Missing Security Cameras
Security cameras act as both a deterrent and a way to document criminal activity. However, cameras that don’t function properly or are absent from key areas leave visitors vulnerable. If you suffer harm due to criminal activity that could have been prevented by working cameras, the property owner might bear responsibility for failing to implement this basic security measure.
Unsecured Entrances or Exits
When property owners don’t secure doors, windows, or gates properly, they leave visitors exposed to potential intruders. Apartments, hotels, and office buildings require secure entrances and exits to prevent unauthorized access. A failure to fix broken locks, gates, or alarms could provide grounds for a negligent security claim if an attacker gains entry and causes harm.
Failure to Address Known Threats
Property owners who fail to act on known safety risks create dangerous situations. For example, if a property regularly experiences criminal activity, owners should take steps to increase security measures like adding guards, installing alarms, or improving surveillance systems. If they neglect these responsibilities and a crime occurs, victims may have a strong case for negligent security.
Do You Have a Lawsuit?
If you’ve been harmed on someone else’s property due to inadequate security, you may have a valid negligent security claim. To prove your case, you must show that the property owner failed to provide reasonable security measures and that their negligence directly contributed to your injury.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you gather evidence, such as maintenance records, video footage, or witness statements, to prove that the property owner acted negligently. If successful, you may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and other damages.
If you’ve suffered harm due to negligent security, don’t wait to take action. Contact Geller Injury Law Firm for a free consultation.
