In most cases, the person who commits a crime is going to be liable for any injuries — or death — that resulted from their crimes. When you hear about someone being injured by another, you almost always assume that the liable party is the only person who will be held accountable. However, this is not always the case. There are cases in which a third party may be held liable as well.
There are times when a crime occurs on a property that should be secure. For example, if you are at a bank that is robbed and you are injured during the robbery, you may be able to hold the bank accountable in certain circumstances. In this scenario, the bank must ensure the security of the premises. If there were no security guards present or if the security cameras were faulty, the bank could be held liable as it did not show proper care in keeping the property safe for its customers.
Keeping a premise secure does not only apply to banks. Owners of apartment buildings must keep the property safe for their tenants. Business owners of any type must also maintain a certain level of security for their customers. Essentially, business owners must create an environment that is reasonably safe for anyone who visits. If a person is injured by criminal activity such as a robbery or assault while they are on the property, the victim may be eligible for compensation from the owner of the business.
These cases fall under the category of negligence. Negligence is a term often used to describe an incident where there was no proper care provided. Injuries that are sustained because of criminal acts may be tried differently than a regular personal injury case. You may be able to receive an award from the property owner as a result of your injuries. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-5111 to discuss the possibilities regarding your case.
Overview of Negligent Security
Lawsuits for negligent security, one aspect of premises liability law, can be complicated. In cases of criminal activity that caused injuries, a person may hold the property owner liable if they can show that there was not adequate security in place at the time the crime occurred. This type of case is different than direct negligence because you are suing a third party for your injuries and not the person who was the cause of your injuries.
In a negligent security case, you will have to show that the property owner is required to provide some form of security for their business.
Defining Adequate Security
Third-party cases are often more challenging to bring to trial, and hiring a Boynton Beach negligent security lawyer may be necessary to sort through the details. Each state has laws requiring adequate security measures to be in place for certain types of businesses. Some states require security guards to be onsite at some types of businesses, while others may need to have sufficient lighting and locks in place to deter criminal activity. Security cameras may be necessary in some cases as well.
For example, Florida statutes governing convenience business security require the use of security cameras along with drop safes. However, there are some other factors, such as the known threat level in an area — including the incident history — and the type of business, that will come into play when it comes to determining adequate security measures. For example, a bank in a neighborhood that has a high crime rate is going to need more security measures than a bank that is in an area with a lower threat of crime.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC can work with you to determine if adequate security measures were in place at the time the crime that caused your injuries took place. Contact us at (844) 730-5111 to go over the possibility of going through with a third-party claim against a business owner.
For a free legal consultation with a negligent security lawyer serving Boynton Beach, call (844) 730-5111
Ways to Prove Third-Party Liability
In a case against a third party, a Boynton Beach negligent security lawyer will have to prove that the security measures taken by the business were inadequate. There are several ways that you may be able to confirm this.
Foreseeability
One way to prove that the security measures that were in place were not adequate is through the doctrine of foreseeability. This means that you will have to show that the business owner could see the incident occurring. For example, if there are recent burglaries in an area and the business owner does not take any measures to try to secure their property, and you are robbed while at their business, you may have a negligent security claim.
Faulty Equipment
Another example is if the owner of the business has security cameras, but they are not working correctly. If the owner knows that there is an issue with their security equipment and fails to fix it and a crime occurs, you may be able to make a claim against them if that the crime results in you being injured.
Just as a business owner must keep the property maintained so that anyone who enters is safe, the business owner must also keep the business secure. If there is broken or faulty security equipment on the premises — or no security measures are taken at all — and criminal activity takes place, you may be eligible for an award from the business owner.
Boynton Beach Negligent Security Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-5111
How a Boynton Beach Negligent Security Lawyer Can Help
If a crime is committed while you are at a business and you believe that this crime was preventable if there were proper security measures in place, you should contact a lawyer to help you navigate through a third-party claim. This type of lawsuit can become quite complicated, as several things need to be proven to possibly receive compensation for your injuries. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we are happy to discuss your possible negligent security case with you.
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