According to a study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 277 active shooter events took place in the United States between 2000 and 2018, leading to the injury of over 1,500 people and 884 total fatalities. Of those incidents, nearly half took place in healthcare facilities or areas of commerce, such as retail centers, offices, and public businesses.
When you shop at the grocery store, visit your doctor, or go to work, you rightfully expect that the establishment you enter will provide the appropriate level of security necessary to keep you and other guests safe. Unfortunately, businesses do not always want to pay for adequate security, and serious and fatal injuries can occur as a result.
If negligent security at a Minneapolis business led to your injuries or the loss of a loved one, the lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you determine if you have a case. Call our legal team today at (844) 730-5111 to get started.
How Negligent Security Cases Work
Negligent security falls under the category of premises liability, which refers to a property owner’s obligation to maintain the safety of individuals on their property. Sec. 60E.02 MN Statutes defines liability as the responsibility of a property owner to provide for all damages that result from injuries to individuals, their property, or other losses. This pertains to circumstances that arise out of businesses and premises, which include negligent security.
Negligent security cases take place in civil court and allow the victim of a violent crime or their family to pursue compensation from the at-fault party by filing a premises liability claim. This gives the victim an opportunity to hold the property owner available, not the perpetrator of the crime. However, the perpetrator may face charges in a criminal court and potentially receive jail time, probation, or fines as punishment. Criminal and civil cases involve separate defendants and court proceedings and do not affect the outcome of one another.
Sec. 1.50 MN Statutes emphasizes Minnesota’s zero-tolerance policy regarding violence, as each person in the state has a right to live free from it. If you or a loved one suffered serious or fatal injuries as the result of a property owner’s failure to provide you with reasonable safety measures, a Minneapolis negligent security lawyer can help you seek compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a negligent security lawyer serving Minneapolis, call (844) 730-5111
Determining Liability in Negligent Security Cases
To pursue legal action in a negligent security case, you or your attorney must first prove that the property owner’s actions or failure to act meet the criteria for legal negligence, including:
- The property owner had a duty to protect the victim
- The property owner knew of the potential for harm to the victim
- The property owner failed to protect the victim from this perceived or expected threat
In some cases, the law holds that certain property owners have no obligation to protect their visitors. In order to determine the incidents that qualify as security negligence, Minnesota established the special relationship rule, which determines that the property owner and the victim had a relationship in which the owner should have maintained the safety of the victim. Special relationships have the following qualities:
- The victim entrusted their safety to the property owner
- The property owner accepted this
- The property owner could have and should have protected the victim
Establishing liability can present a challenge, especially if you manage your case on your own. Complex laws can make the process difficult, but the lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help. Contact us online anytime, and our legal team will respond as soon as possible to discuss your case.
Minneapolis Negligent Security Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-5111
Holding the At-Fault Party Accountable for their Negligence
Businesses and establishments of all sizes have a responsibility to assess their security needs and provide them accordingly. While security cannot prevent every violent incident from occurring, it can play a role in minimizing patrons’ risk of injury or death. Victims of negligent security and their families may hold many types of facilities accountable for negligence, including:
- Shopping malls
- Event venues
- Bars and nightclubs
- Hospitals and medical offices
- Schools and daycare centers
- Workplaces
- Parking lots and garages
- Apartment complexes and nursing homes
A Minneapolis negligent security lawyer can help you determine if you can hold a property owner accountable for your injuries.
Click to contact our Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyers today
Types of Adequate Security Measures
Government agencies continue to explore the root causes of violence in our society, but in the meantime, business owners must take an active role by providing their guests, visitors, patients, and students with an adequate level of security to help thwart potential attacks, particularly those that occur based on opportunity. Some examples of efficient security measures may include:
- Professional security staff
- Employee training on how to keep the premises safe and respond in the event of an emergency
- Functional lighting around the facility and in parking areas
- Emergency exits with illuminated signage
- Visible security cameras both outside and inside the building(s)
Property owners have a duty to keep you safe, and adequate security measures may help minimize violent occurrences.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Statute of Limitations for Minnesota Negligent Security Cases
While you may have a right to file a negligent security claim for your injuries or those that led to the loss of your loved one, Minnesota has specific laws regarding the amount of time you have to pursue litigation, known as statutes of limitation. These laws vary based on the circumstances of your case.
Individuals can file a premises liability claim against the at-fault party within three years of the date of the incident. In the event of a fatality due to negligent security, the victim’s loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit within three years of the date of the victim’s death, but not to exceed six years after the date of the incident. However, a Minneapolis negligent security lawyer would advise you to file your claim as soon as possible to avoid any potential delays.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC Can Help You with Your Claim
You have a right to expect that the owners and management of facilities in which you and your family live, work, and play will do their best to prevent you from suffering harm on their premises. If your injuries or your loved one’s death resulted from the negligence of a property owner who failed to maintain adequate security, the lawyers at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you determine if you have a case and seek the financial awards you deserve.
Call or text (844) 730-5111 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
