Premises liability is an area of New York law that allows individuals who suffer injuries on someone else’s property to seek compensation for their medical expenses and other financial and personal losses. It holds the careless property owner accountable for incidents arising from unsafe conditions. Along with slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and similar incidents, negligent security claims also fall under the premises liability umbrella.
You deserve to feel reasonably safe and secure when visiting someone else’s property, especially in areas with foreseeable risks associated with guest safety or criminal activity. Property owners must be held responsible when they fail to take steps to ensure the safety of their guests and patrons. At The Saul Law Firm, LLP, our personal injury attorneys want to help you recover the compensation you deserve after an incident on another person’s property.
What Does Negligent Security Mean?
Negligent security is one aspect of premises liability. Premises liability means property owners have a legal duty to adequately maintain their property for the safety and security of guests, patrons, and customers. When dangerous or unsafe conditions cause an accident or incident, and someone is hurt, that person can seek compensation for their losses when they can prove the property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the unsafe conditions.
Negligent security typically refers to inadequate or careless security measures on another person’s property. Proving negligent security requires you to show that there was a foreseeable risk of harm and that the property owner knew or should have reasonably known about the safety risk and failed to take reasonable measures to mitigate it. You must also demonstrate that due to the property owner’s carelessness, you suffered harm, and your injuries caused measurable financial losses.
Examples of Negligent Security Incidents
Some typical examples of inadequate security measures on a property include:
- Lack of security cameras
- Lack of security personnel
- Defective or broken security equipment
- Defective or broken locks on windows or doors
- Insufficient lighting
- Careless security personnel
- Poorly trained or screened security personnel
- Lack of security alarms
Negligent security can lead to significant physical and mental injuries resulting from physical or sexual assault. It is best to consult with an experienced premises liability attorney to understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation from the property owner or their insurance provider.
An attorney has the resources to track down whether the property has a history of assaults or criminal activity to help prove the property owner knew patron safety was an issue they should have addressed. Suppose the owner did nothing to remedy the situation, such as by failing to hire extra security or fix broken equipment or locks. In that case, they may be liable for compensating you for your injuries and financial losses.
Where Do Negligent Security Issues Happen in New York?
Negligent security situations can happen in a wide variety of environments. However, some of the most common locations in New York that run into negligent security issues include:
- Nightclubs
- Bars
- Hotels
- Apartment complexes
- Parking lots and parking garages
- College campuses
- Schools
- Subway stations
- Entertainment venues
If you’ve experienced an assault, robbery, rape, or other form of violent attack on someone else’s property, contact an attorney immediately for help. Premises liability attorneys know what it takes to collect and preserve evidence and build a compelling case that offers you the best opportunity to obtain a favorable result.
Compensation for Negligent Security
If you suffer injuries on someone else’s property due to criminal activity or violence, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. Working with an experienced Garden City premises liability attorney is the most effective way to determine the fair value of your claim. An attorney can review your situation, gather crucial evidence and documentation, and accurately calculate the full extent of your losses. In typical cases, negligent security victims may be able to seek money for the following:
- Past, ongoing, and anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Property damage or loss
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
Negligent security incidents can be extremely traumatic. Insurers may try to use your vulnerability to their advantage by pushing you to accept a low settlement offer so you can move forward and not have to experience the pain and trauma of the event over again. Before you accept any money and sign away your legal rights, talk to a compassionate premises liability attorney who can help you understand your legal options and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. This is likely far more than the insurance company will offer at the outset, especially if they know you lack legal representation.
Contact Our Garden City Premises Liability Attorney for Help
Moving forward with your life after a traumatizing event like an assault, robbery, or unwanted sexual encounter can be challenging. Do you believe inadequate security measures were to blame for the incident? If so, it’s time to bring your situation to the attention of an experienced Garden City, New York, premises liability attorney. At The Saul Law Firm, LLP, our sensitive team can guide you through the process of pursuing meaningful compensation for your injuries.
Whether at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, we use our decades of legal experience to fight for you. Contact our Garden City office today and arrange a no-obligation, confidential case review. Let’s work together to recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
The Saul Law Firm, LLP helps clients throughout Garden City, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Long Island, Queens, Garden City, Brooklyn, New York City, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County.