Wilkes-Barre Negligent Security Lawyer
Premises liability law in Pennsylvania states that property owners are required to keep their premises in a safe condition at all times. Sometimes when people become hurt on another person’s property, it’s fairly clear that they can file a claim for compensation. For example, when someone becomes hurt because a business owner did not clear ice and snow from their sidewalks, the injury victim may understand that they have a case. However, there are other types of negligence that could result in compensation for those hurt, but that are not as straightforward. Negligent security is one of these.
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property and think negligent security is to blame, it’s important that you speak to a Wilkes-Barre negligent security lawyer today.
What is Negligent Security?
Many times when people are hurt by a violent crime, such as assault, on someone else’s property, they don’t believe they have a personal injury claim. This is particularly true when the assailant was not identified or caught by law enforcement. This however, is not true. Property owners are responsible for ensuring their property is safe at all times, and that includes ensuring it has proper security. Instead of filing a claim against the criminal, a claim may be filed against the property owner.
Negligent security typically falls under two categories. The first is that the property owner did not have any security, or did not have enough security to ensure that the property was safe. Some of the most common types of negligent security include:
- Inadequate lightning
- Locks or gates that are malfunctioning or non-existent
- Failure to install or maintain video surveillance equipment
- Failure to install or maintain alarms
- Lack of security guards
- Security guards that act negligently or recklessly
- Failure to implement sufficient safety policies
When any of these conditions are present and someone becomes the victim of a crime as a result, property owners can be held liable.
Negligence in Security Cases Varies Widely
Unlike other areas of premises liability law, such as slip and falls, negligence in security cases can vary. For example, when a property is located in an area that is known for its high crime rate, property owners will need to provide more security than in areas that do not have a lot of criminal activity. Additionally, the type of establishment may also affect the outcome of a case. A bar that is open until the early morning hours will likely need more security than an upscale restaurant that closes much earlier.
It is true that property owners cannot always prevent crime from happening on their premises. However, when owners have not taken proper precautions to try and reduce incidences of crime, they can be held liable. An attorney can determine when negligent security was to blame.
Call Our Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys if You’ve Been Hurt
All premises liability cases require the help of an experienced attorney, but this is particularly true in cases that involve negligent security. Negligence in this area varies greatly from one property to another and a Wilkes-Barre personal injury attorney can advise if you have a valid claim.
If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, call O’Donnell Law Offices at (570) 821-5717 or contact us online. During your free consultation we will determine if a property owner was negligent and if they were, hold them accountable for paying the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contact us now so we can start reviewing your case.
