Property owners and businesses that are open to the public are responsible for maintaining safe premises. Premises liability lawsuits can arise in a variety of circumstances where property owners fail in that responsibility.
Some people take legal action after getting hurt in slip-and-fall incidents. For others, poor maintenance practices might result in serious injury, possibly because of a ceiling or balcony collapse. Negligent security practices can also be the underlying reason for a premises liability lawsuit against a property owner or a business.
If a crime occurs at a property, the owner or business operating there could be liable for the losses of the party victimized by the criminal activity. What types of circumstances may provide the basis for a premises liability lawsuit related to negligent security practices?
The crime was reasonably predictable
No one can predict specific future criminal activity. However, there are certain types of crimes that are reasonably predictable in certain areas or near certain types of businesses. Robbery and shoplifting offenses are a predictable occurrence at retail establishments. Muggings and vehicle break-ins are common in hotel parking lots. Bars and nightclubs may have to worry about assaults in dark corridors or druggings.
The way that the company operates or maintains its facilities could expose people to unnecessary risk. If the crime is easily predictable and the business didn’t take common-sense measures to prevent it, then the situation may involve negligent security.
How can businesses and property owners prevent crime?
There are several reasonable steps that can have a noteworthy impact on the risk of criminal activity. Installing motion-activated or 24/7 lighting in parking lots and alleyways could have a direct impact on the likelihood of impulse crimes.
Those who know that others are likely to see them approach or witness their actions may choose a different location for their questionable activities. Security cameras can also act as a deterrent, as can the presence of security professionals. Even proper training for workers, such as teaching bartenders about how to identify druggings in progress, could help protect patrons at the business.
If property owners and businesses don’t take cost-effective and reasonable steps to protect visitors and customers from criminal activity, then they may have a degree of liability for the losses caused by crime. Pursuing a negligent security premises liability lawsuit can help crime victims recover medical expenses, property damage losses and even lost wages when possible.