Any time you venture out to the movies, go dancing at a nightclub, or shop at the mall, you do so with a certain level of trust that the owner of the property has taken reasonable measures to keep you safe. Safety amounts to more than protecting you from slips and falls. It also involves ensuring your security from acts of violence.
Today, violence often occurs in public places. Property owners have a duty to protect their visitors. When they fail to fulfill this duty and a visitor to the property suffers an injury, the victim can pursue compensation for their damages.
If you suffered harm on a property due to negligent security, an El Paso negligent security lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC can navigate the complexities of this type of lawsuit and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (844) 730-5111 for a free consultation.
Understanding Negligent Security
Negligent security refers to a property owner failing to keep people safe from violence. Sadly, we see an increasing amount of violence in public spaces these days. One of the darkest examples of this trend is the uptick in active shooter incidents between 2000 (one incident) and 2018 (27 incidents), as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). People count on property owners to uphold their responsibility to ensure they can patronize their facilities without someone attacking them.
When someone does suffer injury as a victim of violent crime on a property, they sometimes resort to negligent security claims to hold a negligent property owner accountable. In doing so, the victim can pursue compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from their injuries.
Although the victim of a violent crime can file a personal injury lawsuit against their attacker, chances are this individual would not have the financial resources or assets to deliver the compensation from a court award. This is why, in a case where a property owner could have prevented an attack but failed to do so, victims consider seeking compensation via a negligent security claim.
For a free legal consultation with a negligent security lawyer serving El Paso, call (844) 730-5111
Examples of Violent Crimes that Can Result from Negligent Security
Some people incorrectly assume that they do not need to worry about experiencing a violent attack when visiting a public place. Unfortunately, violent crimes can happen anywhere. For example, you could suffer:
- Stabbing on a train or subway
- Sexual assault in the basement laundry room of an apartment complex
- Fans trampling you as they rush the stage at a concert
- Gunshot wounds in a nightclub, bar, or the parking lot of such an establishment
- Theft in a parking garage
While the attacker owns the blame for hurting you, the property owner also owed you a duty of care to keep you safe from such an incident.
El Paso Negligent Security Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-5111
Types of Negligent Security
From mass shootings to sexual assault, from schools to workplaces, violent crime can occur in many forms and in any type of public space. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), 1 in 10 property crimes between 2004 and 2008 happened in public parking lots or garages. Property owners should be aware of the potential for such attacks occurring on their premises and take proper, reasonable measures to prevent this type of crime. Unfortunately, some property owners neglect to take the necessary steps to keep their patrons safe.
When a court considers the liability of a property owner for your injuries, they will consider to what extent, if any, did the property owner try to protect you and other patrons from such injuries. They will check whether the property manager:
- Hired a sufficient number of trained security guards
- Took increased security measures following previous violent crimes on the premises
- Ensured all doors and/or gates were locked, if relevant
- Installed a sufficient number of well-positioned and functioning security cameras
- Trained staff on how to handle situations where security might present an issue
- Set up the property with multiple, easily accessible emergency exits
- Provided appropriate signage and adequate lighting to deter would-be attackers
If a court determines that the property owner in your case failed to take thoughtful and reasonable steps to keep you safe from a violent crime, they will hold the owner responsible for your damages.
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Investigating Your Incident
If you hire Ben Crump Law, PLLC to handle your case, our El Paso negligent security lawyers will build your case using evidence they gather from an investigation of your incident. This investigation will include:
- Visiting the scene of the attack
- Reviewing surveillance footage
- Gathering photos
- Interviewing witnesses
- Checking the facility’s history of security incidents
- Obtaining the police report
The evidence our team gathers will help determine if the property owner failed to fulfill their duty of care to keep you safe from violent crimes.
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Calculating Your Damages
Another component of your case consists of proof of your damages. If a court agrees that the property owner should pay for your losses, you can recover much more than the total of your medical receipts.
Our legal team will calculate the true value of your case by obtaining the values of the following:
- Your medical treatment (past and future)
- Mobility devices
- Ambulance
- Hospitalization
- Prescription medications
- Replacement services
- Lost income (past and future)
- Diminished future potential earnings
- Pain and suffering
If you lost a loved one due to injuries they suffered in a case of negligent security, you might consider pursuing a wrongful death action against the property owner. Our wrongful death lawyers are available to advise you.
An El Paso Negligent Security Lawyer Can Help You
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we handle negligent security cases because we want to do our part to ensure that property owners do what they can to keep the country safer. We do not shy away from challenging cases.
Additionally, remember that we will not charge you any legal fees unless we win your compensation via an insurance settlement or court award. Let an El Paso negligent security lawyer from our team assist you. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today at (844) 730-5111 for a free consultation.
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