Negligent Security

In an increasingly security-conscious world, the issue of negligent security has come to the forefront. This article delves into negligent security, a legal term describing a situation where property owners fail to provide adequate security measures. We'll explore various examples of negligent security, its repercussions, and your rights and remedies. 

The definition of negligent security falls under premises liability law. Premises liability law tends to cover slip and fall accidents as the most common. Slip and fall accidents are those where commercial property, something like missing handrails or obstacles in parking lots, lead to crime or injury. 

Negligent security takes this one step further and includes situations where security measures should have been in place, but for whatever reason, the owner did not provide sufficient security, and as a direct result, someone was the victim of crime. In these security negligence cases, a victim can file a claim against property owners.

If you or someone you know has been injured you probably wonder if you have the right to file a negligent security lawsuit or a negligent security claim. Being injured or sustaining an attack is not grounds for filing a claim in and of itself. There has to be negligence. It is for this reason that this type of lawsuit is referred to as negligent security.

For example, if a mugging takes place in a mall parking lot and you sustained injuries, that act alone is not grounds enough to file a case. If, instead, there have been multiple muggings in that same parking lot brought to the attention of the owners, the security cameras do not work, the lighting is very poor, and you were also mugged in the parking lot and sustained injuries, you could potentially get compensation after you file for damages with an attorney.

Negligent security requires that you establish fault for the accident or injuries you sustained. 

The first step in proving that a company had negligence security is to establish what duty of care should have been employed and what type of security should have been there.

You have to show that the property owner should have done something, but they failed to. There are many different negligent security cases that fall under these parameters.

Any breach of these security duties would be considered negligent security.

Once you establish there was negligent security that a breach of conduct took place, you must then show you suffered genuine injuries as a result of this. As the victim or the plaintiff, you have to demonstrate how the responsible party or the defendant failed to meet that duty of care. An attorney could help you prove that you suffered genuine injuries as a result of the owner’s failure to act or their negligent security.

Physical injuries are much easier to prove with medical data, but emotional or mental harm can be warranted entirely as part of your negligent security claim a little bit more challenging to prove.

There are cases where the relevant party waives responsibility with the release of liability form. The property owner, such as the business, hospital, employer, or even a city or county, can be sued individually or in combination if multiple parties were responsible for the injuries you sustained.

If you sustained injuries as a result of negligent security, whether you choose to work with an attorney or not, the process begins with a negligent security claim. 

A claim is different from a lawsuit because a claim works with the insurance provider for the property owners to try and get compensation through insurance. In these situations, you and your attorney work with the insurance agents to try and negotiate for a settlement.

If this cannot be resolved then the case is transformed into a lawsuit that gets the courts involved. At this point, a judge or jury, following a trial, can order a negotiated settlement. The majority of premises liability cases are settled before trial. This is better for the owners in terms of mitigating any financial risk. It can take anywhere between a few months and a few years for the settlements to reach an end.

The amount of time you have is based on your state. Each state has what is called a statute of limitations, and this time frame usually extends a couple of years, but if you miss the deadline, you will not be able to file a claim or a lawsuit. 

For this reason, it is in your best interest to speak with a qualified premises liability attorney who can give you the information based on your state and help you file on time.

There are a handful of factors that are taken into consideration with regard to your settlement. You can receive what are called punitive and compensatory damages. Both have monetary limits based on the state in which you are filing your negligent security claim.

Each case is unique, and the physical, financial, and emotional injuries brought about by negligent security will be different for every case.

There are many examples of this type of premises liability, the result of security negligence:

Negligent security is a pertinent issue that underscores the responsibility of property owners to ensure safety. When overlooked, it not only poses a threat to individuals but also can lead to significant legal repercussions for the establishments involved. As we navigate public spaces, being aware of these aspects empowers us to demand better safety measures and take appropriate action if the need arises.