Negligent security cases fall under the premises of liability statutes and result from accidents due to negligence by the property owner, possessor, or manager. Negligence is specifically applicable when the establishment is in an area with higher crime rates and the owner fails to provide patrons with adequate safety and security measures.
Obtaining a settlement requires your seasoned premises liability attorney to prove liability, including foreseeability and evidence of actual damages you sustained. Call a skilled Lake County negligent security lawyer today to schedule an appointment, review your case specifics, and learn more.
Examples of Negligent Security Lawsuits
Some of the common causes of negligent security lawsuits include:
- Broken or defective security systems
- Neglecting to warn patrons of potential criminal activity
- A patron sustaining injuries in an attack at a bar with no security and a history of similar events
- Apartment complex tenants who experience robberies because of broken security gates that the owners knew needed repair
- Customers suffering harm in a grocery store or mall parking lot because of inadequate lighting or security in an area with a history of car thefts
- Hotel guests suffering injuries and losses in a violent assault or robbery while walking in parking garages without security cameras or personnel
Our seasoned Lake County attorney could review your negligent security case to help determine if the necessary components are present and help build a powerful case.
Essential Aspects of a Negligent Security Case
Proving the existence of all the required components is vital for establishing fault and collecting monetary damages from the liable party.
Duty of Care and Breach
Duty of care is a legal obligation that requires property owners in the state to keep their property reasonably safe. When the location of a store or other business has a history of crime, it must take additional security measures. Examples of inadequate security measures that can lead to a breach include poorly lit parking lots or garages and a lack of security personnel in high-risk environments.
Foreseeability of Criminal Activity and Causation
Establishing the foreseeability of criminal action is crucial in negligent security cases. That means the claim must show that crimes, such as theft, robbery, or violent attacks, were more common in the business’s location, and the owner should have reasonably anticipated the risk of harm to customers.
There could also be evidence of crime patterns at specific types of businesses, such as nightclubs and bars. In some cases, law enforcement agencies may have recommended additional precautions to the owner due to the risks. This type of evidence could establish causation, which is a direct and causal link between the owner or manager’s actions (or lack thereof) and the injuries you sustained.
Convenience Store Security Requirements
State laws require business owners to take specific measures to prevent theft, robbery, or other related crimes. Florida Statutes § 812.173 requires that all businesses have security cameras, well-lit parking lots, silent alarms, and drop safes for cash management safety. Failure to comply with the statute is cause for civil action and liability.
Damages
The last part of a negligent security lawsuit is proof of the individual’s sustained damages, such as injuries and monetary losses, due to the property owner’s carelessness, which could include hospital records, medical bills, and eyewitness statements. Our attorney in Lake County could handle the legal work for your inadequate security case and guide you through the process.
Call a Proficient Negligent Security Attorney in Lake County
Business owners must take adequate steps to protect customers who visit their establishments. Owners must also ensure there are sufficient security measures, which include well-lighted walkways and parking lots, security cameras, and—when necessary—guards to protect customers.
Schedule a meeting with a skilled Lake County negligent security lawyer to review your case. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
