Did you know that property owners are lawfully required to provide guests with adequate security? Or that a lack of proper security that leads to an injury or assault can lead to a premises liability lawsuit? Property owners must maintain a reasonably safe environment for visitors, which includes keeping those on their premises protected from harm from outsiders. If anyone is physically harmed or sexually assaulted while on your property, you could be liable for their injuries due to lack of security, inadequate security, improper security, or negligent security. They can sue you for compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or emotional trauma.
Negligent or inadequate security is often to blame for the preventable assault, rape, or homicide of an innocent crime victim.
Businesses whose negligence in failing to provide adequate security placed a tenant or customer at greater risk of being victimized by the criminal acts of a third party. Instances of improper security premises liability can take place in motels, hotels, apartment buildings, parking garages, parking ramps, shops, office buildings, banks, ATM machines, and even homes. Any victim is justified in asking whether the crime could have been prevented by better security measures. If there is sufficient evidence that needed security was lacking, inadequate or negligently performed, the culpable parties can and should be held liable for the victim’s damages.
Property owners of public properties such as apartment buildings, shopping malls, hotels and parking garages are expected to provide adequate security measures to protect the safety of people who come onto those properties. These security measures may range from sturdy locks and adequate lighting to security guards and video cameras. The adequate or proper level of security depends on the nature of the property as well as its location. For example, if property owners who are aware of incidents of crime in their neighborhoods, they may be expected to take stronger measures than owners who may not be in a known high crime area.
Unfortunately some property owners focus more on concerns about cost than on ways to maximize their visitors’ safety, or simply neglect to take appropriate safety measures. In such cases, the victims of crime who suffer injuries on someone else’s property may sue the property owner or manager. The victims will have to demonstrate that inadequate security measures contributed to the creation of an environment that made the crimes easier to commit. As in other personal injury cases, victims may receive compensation for their pain and suffering, as well as for medical bills, lost wages and other related expenses.
Last Updated on April 18, 2017 by The Orlando Law Group
