Negligent Security and Premises Liability
Whenever a criminal act occurs on business or private property, negligent security may be an issue. Property owners owe a duty of care to all persons who come onto their property for any reason. If landowners do not take the proper precautions to protect their visitors, crime victims may have a cause of action against them.
The law regarding premises liability has evolved over the years to better protect crime victims. There was a time when crimes were rare and random, and landowners had little control over what happened on their property. Now, property owners are in a much better position to protect their guests. At the same time, crime has escalated to the point where there are a significant number of crime victims who go uncompensated for their losses. These two factors have helped shape modern negligent security/premises liability law.
A negligent security action may arise in any of the following situations:
- A man is robbed in a dark apartment complex parking lot; there is no security fence, surveillance equipment or roving guard
- A woman is assaulted in a hotel hallway; the alleged perpetrator gained access to the building because the back door’s security lock was not working
- A fan at a sports stadium is assaulted by a group of intoxicated people; there was no security guard near the exits to deter such activity
Damages in a negligent security action may include compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills and loss of consortium (loss of companionship).
If you were a crime victim in a private place, and there was nothing to help prevent the crime or there was no one to help, contact us.
