Premises liability law exists to hold property owners responsible when they fail to deal with known hazards on the premises of their buildings. This includes any harm that comes to people as a result of inadequate security measures in or around their properties. But how exactly can a lack of security lead to avoidable accidents?
What is the Legal Responsibility of Property Owners?
Under premises liability law, all property owners have a responsibility to ensure their buildings are safe for guests and tenants to use for legitimate purposes. This includes the obligation to ensure there are adequate security measures to prevent foreseeable criminal activity that may result in harm to potential victims. These may include common criminal acts like burglary, larceny, or assault, among other things.
What Does it Mean to Have Lax Security?
A property owner may be considered to have lax security if they fail to utilize available safety measures to prevent crimes they know are likely to be committed on, or around, their premises. In some cases, this can be as simple as ensuring their buildings and parking lots are adequately lit, or ensuring there are security cameras to watch for potential crimes. It may also include things like installing a security alarm, hiring guards, or even installing bars over windows in areas where breaking and entering is common.
What Are the Consequences of Inadequate Security?
When a building lacks sufficient security measures, it places people at an increased risk of being the victim of a crime. While in some cases this may only result in valuable items being stolen, there is always a risk that a criminal act will result in severe physical harm to its victim. When this happens, a victim may be able to sue the property owner for their negligent security measures.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you love has been harmed due to a criminal act, you may be able to seek compensation if that act might have been prevented by security measures. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling premises liability claims like yours. They can help you review your potential legal options, and create a legal strategy that suits your needs to get you the compensation you deserve.
For more than 50 years, the New York lawyers at Elovich and Adell have represented clients like you in personal injury cases. Our attorneys, conveniently located in Long Beach, handle personal injury, real estate, commercial transactions, criminal defense, and labor and employment claims all across New York State. For a consultation, please call us at 516-432-6263 or visit our contact page for more information.
