Every property owner in and around Bluffton has a duty to ensure that any premises which is open to the public is both safe and secure. Depending on the circumstances and location of the property, this duty could include ensuring the building has working locks, installing security cameras, warning residents of nearby criminal activity, and even providing on-site security.
If you were the victim of a criminal act on someone else’s property, the owner of the premises could face civil liability if they could have reasonably but failed to prevent your losses. A seasoned premises liability attorney could review your case and advise you on whether you have a viable negligent security claim. Before you pursue litigation on your own, consider retaining a Bluffton negligent security lawyer.
What is a Negligent Security Case?
Certain property owners have a duty to protect their visitors from any known risks of violent crime. This duty varies between private homeowners, apartment complexes, commercial businesses, etc. When a property is located in an area with known high crime rates, the owner and operator have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable crime.
For example, a property owner who is aware of a series of break-ins in the area could have a duty to warn visitors or residents of those crimes. Proving a crime was foreseeable can be difficult if there is no history of similar offenses in the area. Fortunately, a skilled lawyer in the Bluffton area could leverage certain evidence to help prove that the security at a particular property was negligent given the circumstances.
Where is Negligent Security Common?
Any commercial or residential building could be liable for jeopardizing someone’s personal safety and security. To recover compensation in these cases, a plaintiff must show that the criminal conduct which led to their injury and losses occurred on the property of another person and that the property owner’s negligence contributed to their damages.
Some locations where negligent and inadequate security are common include:
- Apartment buildings
- Parking lots
- Bars
- Nightclubs
- Parking garages
- Hotels
The owner of these properties might not be the only viable defendant in a negligent security lawsuit. It could be possible to pursue legal action against the occupier or manager of the property as well, depending on which party was responsible for security. A negligent security attorney serving the Bluffton area could review the potential defendants in a particular case and help hold them accountable.
Obtaining Financial Compensation
Financial compensation could be available through a successful negligent security lawsuit. A person who sustains injuries and other losses due to a building’s inadequate security measures could be entitled to a financial award that covers all of their damages, financial and otherwise. A well-versed Bluffton attorney could help pursue compensation for the following negligent security-related losses:
- Past and future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished future earning power in cases of severe injury
- Lost wages in case of missed work
- Lost or damaged property
- Mental anguish
With the right legal counsel, it could be possible to evaluate a negligent security case and identify the best amount of compensation to include in a demand package.
Talk to a Bluffton Negligent Security Attorney Today
If you were the victim of a crime, the owner of the property where the offense occurred could face civil liability for your injuries and damages. You could be entitled to monetary compensation based on their failure to keep you safe.
Premises liability cases involving inadequate security measures can be complex. To give yourself a chance at securing fair compensation, contact a Bluffton negligent security lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton right away.