When we go to a grocery store, restaurant, bar, or other place of business, we expect some degree of safety. In fact, it’s the law. Maryland law states that property owners have a responsibility to make their property safe for guests and visitors. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured, they can be sued for negligent security.
Negligent security is a type of premises liability. It occurs when a lack of security measures leads to accidents, crimes, or injuries. When lax security causes an unsafe environment that leads to assaults and other crimes, the victim can sue for damages.
Negligent security can lead to physical and emotional injuries. Seek legal help from the Owings Mills negligent security lawyers at Furman | Honick Law. Schedule a consultation today to see how we can help you.
Types of Negligent Security
There are many ways in which a property owner can create an unsafe environment. Some examples include:
- Lack of security guards
- Poorly maintained property
- Insufficient lighting
- Broken locks, gates, alarms, cameras, or other equipment
- Missing or inadequate security cameras
- Insufficient emergency exits
Negligent security often leads to crimes such as:
- Robberies
- Bar fights
- Assaults
- Carjackings
- Shootings
- Stabbings
These crimes can lead to significant physical and emotional damages. A person may get shot or stabbed. They may get sexually assaulted. They may suffer broken bones or head trauma. They may also suffer from anxiety or depression due to the incident.
Proving Negligent Security
When filing a negligent security lawsuit, you will need to prove the following:
- You were on the property legally.
- You were injured on the property by a third party.
- The property owner should have known about potential risks to visitors.
- The property owner failed to provide adequate security.
- You would not have been injured if the property owner had provided adequate security.
You can prove security negligence if:
- There are no security measures in place.
- Injuries or deaths are the result of security issues.
- There are security measures in place but they do not work.
Incident predictability may also play a role in some cases. For instance, if there have been multiple assaults in a bar parking lot due to its location, then it’s safe to say that there’s a good chance of another assault happening in the near future. This means that the bar owner has a duty to provide some sort of security to protect clientele. Security guards and cameras would be a good idea, especially at bars, where intoxication is a factor.
Contact Furman | Honick Law Today
Negligent security is no laughing matter. When property owners fail to take appropriate measures, visitors can be injured due to crimes.
If you have been injured by a property owner’s negligence, the team at Furman | Honick Law can help you prove your case. We’ll provide you with the best legal representation possible. Contact an Owings Mills negligent security lawyer today by calling (410) 844-6000 or filling out the online form.