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Negligent Security

Ways Negligent Security Can Occur

Posted Oct 21, 2021 by Matt Boulton

Whenever you visit a store, nightclub, shopping mall, or hotel, you expect that the property owner has taken the necessary measures to protect visitors from harm. If that doesn’t happen, you can file a negligent security lawsuit to get compensation for your injuries.

You have the right to be safe whenever you visit a store. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure the premises are safe. It’s especially the case when a crime has happened in the area.

At times, property owners don’t install the necessary security measures to ensure their visitors are safe. If you have had injuries in a robbery or an accident on another person’s property, you can have a negligent security claim.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security is an area of law that holds business owners liable for injuries customers incur while at their property due to negligence. Business owners must take the necessary steps to ensure that their property is safe for visitors who frequent the place.

Negligent security occurs on both commercial and residential property. Negligent security assaults can occur in shopping malls, grocery stores, office buildings, parking garages, apartment buildings, government facilities, hospitals, amusement parks, and concert venues. You can file for a personal injury claim when injured in a negligent security case.

Ways Negligent Security Occurs

Business owners can take several steps to reduce the risk of negligent security like violent crimes. A business owner installs security cameras on their property to ensure the gates remain adequately locked. Here are the ways negligent security can occur on the property and cause injuries.

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  • Inadequate Lighting

Lack of proper lighting can cause injuries to the employees and even people who are standing around. Most accidents occur in areas where there is not enough lighting. It is, therefore, advisable for property owners to ensure the parking lot has enough lighting to guide people using it.

Proper lighting will also discourage criminals from wreaking havoc. If the business premises are not well lit, it will increase the chances of criminals getting into the property. Poor maintenance can be considered negligence. If the property owner does not change the broken bulbs promptly, consider this a negligent act.

  • Lack of Security Systems to Detect Criminals

A business establishment with inadequate security cameras can put its customers and employees in danger. Criminals can access such a premise and the victims will be unable to identify the culprits. If you are injured due to the lack of security on business premises, you can file a lawsuit against the property owner for negligence.

Property owners must make an effort to have security systems on their property. Alarms, security cameras, and door locking mechanisms are some security systems. Failing to do this can lead to negligent security. The property owner will be held liable if they don’t fix the broken security cameras.

  • No Security Guards

An establishment without enough security guards can put people in danger. A break-in is one of the issues that occur due to inadequate security guards. Both employees and customers will be victims of an attack in case of a break-in.

  • No Proper Alarms

An establishment without proper alarms can cause injuries. Unwanted visitors can easily get access to the premises and execute their criminal activities. Such activities can lead to injuries to visitors, employees, and customers.

  • Failure to Train Employees on Safety Procedures

Failure to train employees on the safety procedures can lead to serious injuries to those inside the premises. Training employees on the safety procedures can ensure they protect themselves from any type of danger. Employees can also be trained on how to identify suspicious activities.

How to Prove Negligent Security

Properties have different requirements for security. For example, a nightclub must have security guards to ensure the customers are safe. A retail store, on the other hand, may have different needs to keep its customers safe. Private property owners also need to ensure that their customers are safe.

However, it’ll be tricky to determine whether you have a claim when you have become a victim of negligent security. Here are the things you need to prove:

  1. The property owner did not install adequate security.
  2. You suffered financial damage and injuries.
  3. The damage related directly to lack of security.

Victims of crimes are always left without any recourse when the perpetrator is nowhere to be found. You may not realize that you can hold the property owner liable for any injuries you have suffered. Negligent security cases can be complex, and property owners will fight tooth and nail. You can get help from experienced lawyers who will research your case and get the needed evidence to prove that you have a case.

A negligent security lawyer will give you the support you need and help with all the aspects of the case. When crimes like burglary, assault, or theft occur on business premises, you can file for negligent security liability against the business owners. If you become injured due to the business owner failing to provide adequate security, you receive compensation for damages you incur. Contact us to get help with your personal injury claim.

Matt Boulton

Author Matt Boulton

Attorney Matt Boulton is an award-winning personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience helping seriously injured people throughout Indiana. He designed his firm for the client who expects exceptional service and passionate, successful legal representation.

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