When the people we love are the victims of crimes, we often wonder if it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, inadequate or negligent security measures are often to blame for dangerous conditions and personal injury.
For many of us, the fear of being the victim of a random crime on someone else’s property is heightened every time we turn on the television and hear about another senseless act of violence in our communities. However, what we do not always consider is whether those injuries were the result of improper or inadequate security measures.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a crime and was injured as a result of a lack of security you may be entitled to financial compensation with help from a Maryland negligent security lawyer.
What is “Negligent Security”?
In the context of premises liability law, the phrase “negligent security” means a situation in which a crime or injury occurred on a commercial property where inadequate or negligent security measures were in place. The law imparts a duty on the property owners or managers of the commercial property to mitigate against dangerous conditions that could be otherwise avoided if reasonable security measures were in place. Often, a pattern or history of criminal activity at or close to a commercial property will result in the property owners’ heightened duty to provide adequate security in the form of alarm systems, security guards, security cameras, or other means of protection. We investigate a wide array of negligent security claims, including:
- Forced Entry
- Inadequate Lighting
- Inadequate Surveillance Of Parking Lot Or Lobby
- Negligent Hotel Security
- Negligent Hiring Or Training Practices
- Attacks In Elevators, Parking Garages, And Stairwells
- Negligent Bank / ATM Security
- Negligent Theme Park Security
- Negligent College Campus Security
- Negligent Shopping Mall Security
- Negligent Sporting Event Security
- Negligent Hospital Or Medical Facility Security
- Negligent Nursing Home Or Assisted Living Residence Security
The failure to protect people in a public or commercial place is often referred to as “negligent security,” but it is sometimes referred to as “inadequate security.” Regardless of the terminology used, victims of crimes that occur in a public place as a result of negligent security should consider filing a lawsuit against the owner, manager, landlord, or other entity responsible for securing the property.
How Can Our Attorneys Help?
The experienced negligent security lawyers at Ketterer Browne & Anderson can assist you at every step of your lawsuit, beginning with a thorough investigation of the premises where the crime or injury occurred to determine the severity of the negligent or inadequate security measures. Our team of attorneys will determine:
- Was There A History Or Pattern Of Criminal Activity Or Similar Crimes On Or Near The Premises In A Time Period Reasonably Close To The Date Of Your Injury?
- What Follow-Up Measures, If Any, Were Taken To Ensure That Adequate Security Measures Were In Place To Respond To Reports Of Criminal Activity?
- Was There Adequate Lighting, Railings, Locks, And Alarms On The Premises?
- Were Security Guards On Duty And Was The Number Of Guards Appropriate For The Size And Type Of The Property?
- Were Employees Adequately Trained To Deal With Security Threats?
- Was There An Adequate Surveillance System On The Premises?
We will apply these findings to the law of your home state to determine the extent of the property owner’s liability for your injuries. We will help you meet your burden of proof that the commercial property owners knew, or should have known, that the crime you were a victim of was foreseeable and that the owners or managers failed to implement adequate security measures to protect you from it.
Our experienced team will investigate every aspect of your potential claim. We will consult experts in the field of security and use their expertise in pretrial reports. We will share with you our understanding of similar verdicts and settlements in negligent security cases so that you can understand the value of your case and any roadblocks you might encounter.
Call a Maryland Negligent Security Attorney if You Were Injured at a Commercial Property
If you were injured in a crime or as a result of negligence on someone else’s commercial premises, you should consult the experienced negligent security lawyers at Ketterer Browne & Anderson as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights. Our team is available to answer all of your questions and begin the process of getting you the compensation you deserve.