Negligent Security
Crime is unpredictable, and often times it is the sole responsibility of the criminal. However, in some cases, business owners, landlords or even managers could be held responsible if they did not take action to deter crime. If a business fails to provide adequate security that may have prevented the crime from happening, it could be classified as negligent.
When property owners invite large groups of the public onto their property, they have an obligation under Georgia law to take reasonable measures to protect those people from violent crime. For example, when you are a customer at a hotel you expect the safety features will function properly. If you room does not lock and you are a victim of a crime, the hotel owner may be liable.
When businesses show a disregard to your safety and you are injured, you could seek compensation. You should not be forced to pay for the negligence of another. It is important you contact a skilled personal injury attorney to make sure you are well represented in the litigation process.
Atlanta Negligent Security Attorney
If you have been the victim of a crime on another person’s property, contact an Atlanta negligent security attorney at The Balams Firm. ReShea Balams will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Being the victim of a crime is stressful. You should not have to pay medical bills and suffer lost wages because of a property owner or business.
Call (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free case consultation. Balams represents clients throughout the Atlanta area, including Lawrenceville, Marietta, Decatur, Buckhead, Johns Point, Sandy Springs, East Point, Smyrna Brookhaven, Roswell, Milton and anywhere in DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett or Fulton Counties.
Georgia Negligent Security Information
- Possible Places of Negligent Security
- Security Problems Owners and Managers Must Address
- Proving Negligence in Security Cases
Possible Places of Negligent Security
Property owners are not responsible for preventing all crime on their land, but they are required to take some reasonable measures in deterring crime. That could include installing security cameras, having adequate lighting or providing security guards on the grounds.
Landowners should be aware if their business is located in an area known for criminal activity. If it is, the owner or owners should take steps to help prevent crime on their property. The extent of security measures a property owner should implement may be related to the extent and seriousness of criminal activity in the vicinity.
Negligent security claims can happen in a variety of businesses and on several different types of properties, including:
- Convenience stores
- Shopping malls and the parking lots
- Apartment complexes
- Office buildings
- Near ATMs
- Parking garages
- Elevators and stairwells
- Hotels, motels or other temporary lodging properties
- Stadiums
- Parks
Criminal activity near ATMs is foreseeable and readily apparent to the owner. However, because the dangers of ATMs are apparent to the public as well, the cases can be complex. Unless the owner has specific knowledge of past crimes at the ATM, a person likely would not be able to file a claim against the owner.
Security Problems Owners and Managers Must Address
Landlords or business owners may be held responsible if they knew of a potential issue and did nothing to fix it. For example, if a tenant in an apartment complex was attacked inside his or her home after notifying management of a faulty lock, the victim could argue the landlord knew of the potential security issue and did nothing to prevent the crime.
Negligent security claims may involve a wide range of circumstances, including the following:
- Landlord liability
- Failure to provide adequate parking lot security
- Failure to provide sufficient lighting
- Inadequate ATM security
- Negligent security at hotels, motels or other lodging facilities
- Faulty security devices, such as locks, cameras or gates
- Broken windows
- Faulty alarm systems
- Trespassing, vandalism or loitering
- Failure to warm of potential dangers
Proving Negligence in Security Cases
Negligent security cases in Georgia are complex. The degree of liability likely will be different in each unique case. It is often difficult to determine whether any specific security measure that allegedly was lacking would have been able to prevent the crime in question from occurring. For example, it is difficult to prove that a better lock could have prevented an assault.
Because of this, proving negligence can be difficult. Negligent security cases are fact-based, so it is important you know the level of security at the time of the attack can make the difference in your outcome. ReShea Balams can present evidence to help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you have been the victim of rape, assault, armed robbery, carjacking or any other violent crime and there was not adequate security at the time of your attack, you could receive compensation for the physical and emotional hardship you suffered. An experienced personal injury attorney can help.
The Balams Firm | Atlanta Area Negligent Security Attorney
ReShea Balams understands the pain and hardships you may face after being the victim of a crime. If the criminal act was a result of someone else’s negligence, contact an Atlanta area negligent security attorney The Balams Firm to get the compensation you need. Call (404) 445-2005 to schedule your free case evaluation.
