Premises Liability – Negligent Security
With crime increasing in Seattle, people expect businesses and property owners to employ reasonable security measures to protect them. Unfortunately, these expectations are often dashed. Many property owners refuse to make investments in reasonable security measures—and innocent victims suffer the consequences. If you’ve been attacked or hurt, you might have a legal claim against the property owner. Contact Emerald Law Group for a free consultation and let our lawyer review the facts of your case.
When is Security Negligent?
No property owner needs to guarantee that you’ll never suffer an attack. After all, businesses and apartment buildings are not fortresses. Nevertheless, owners must employ security measures that are reasonable based on the likelihood of crime. Common considerations include:
- Layout of the property and its location. A secluded building is a magnet for crime, so more security is appropriate.
- Crime rate in the area. When the area has a higher crime rate, then an establishment in the area should also have more security.
- History of crime at the business. Some businesses draw more criminal activity than others. Security should be appropriate to the history of crime at the property.
- Special risk factors, such as serving alcohol on the premises. These risk factors increase the odds of an attack.
Based on these and other factors, property owners must employ reasonable security measures, which might include:
- Security cameras
- Lights on pathways or in stairwells
- Security guards or bouncers
- Locks on doors and windows
- Security gates
- Security patrols
- Alarms or phones
Property owners also must take reasonable steps once they become aware of a problem. For example, if someone is loitering around a movie theater, the staff should confront the person or call the police. If staff at a bar see a man drag a woman into the bathroom, they can’t simply turn a blind eye to what is happening.
Anyone injured in an attack can sue their attacker. Unfortunately, this person might not have the resources to pay a settlement. This is where a negligent security lawsuit is very helpful. When security was lacking, victims might also sue the property owner where the attack happened. The theory is that crime was foreseeable, and the property owner didn’t fulfill their duty to reasonably protect visitors.
At Emerald Law Group, we have sued all sorts of businesses, including:
- Restaurants
- Bars and taverns
- Hotels and motel
- Schools and universities
- Property management companies
- Commercial and residential landlords
- Malls
- Grocery stores
These are very complicated lawsuits to bring. Many businesses flat out deny that security was negligent or that crime is a problem. They also have their own legal teams doing everything they can to avoid liability.
Helping Seattle Victims for More than a Decade
Violent attacks are terrifying experiences. Victims can suffer serious physical injuries, and the emotional scars are just as devastating. Whether you were stabbed, shot, sexually assaulted, or robbed, you might hold the property owner accountable.
Contact Emerald Law Group today. Our Seattle negligent security lawyer can meet for a free consultation.
