When a criminal act harms you, the experience is deeply painful. It’s even worse when you know it could have been prevented. While the legal system works to prosecute the criminal, a separate path to justice exists for you: a negligent security lawsuit. This powerful legal tool allows you to hold a property owner responsible for failing to protect you.
This type of lawsuit is a part of premises liability, which focuses on a property owner’s duty to keep visitors safe from foreseeable harm. When a business, landlord, or property owner fails to take reasonable safety steps and someone is harmed, they may be held responsible in a civil court.
A Ben Crump Law negligent security lawyer will explain how a lawsuit works, what steps are involved, and how a legal team can help you get justice.
What is a Negligent Security Lawsuit?
A negligent security lawsuit is a civil court action you can take against a property owner. You are not suing the criminal; you are suing the business or person who owns the property for their carelessness. You are arguing that their failure to provide adequate security directly led to your injury.
For example, if you were attacked in an apartment building parking garage with broken lights and no security cameras, a lawsuit would argue that the owner should have known the garage was a danger and failed to fix it. This is crucial in getting compensation and forcing the owner to make the property safer for others.
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Building Your Negligent Security Lawsuit
A legal team will work to prove four main things to build a strong lawsuit. This is the foundation of your case in court.
- Duty of Care: The property owner must have had a duty to keep you safe. This depends on why you were on the property.
- Breach of Duty: The owner failed to provide reasonable security. This could mean they ignored broken locks or didn’t hire enough security guards.
- Causation: The owner’s failure directly caused your injury. If they had done their job, you wouldn’t have been hurt.
- Damages: You must have suffered real harm, such as physical injuries, medical bills, or emotional distress.
The Hard Facts on Business Crime
Hard data on crimes committed at businesses support the need for good security. When owners fail to protect people, everyone is at risk, which is a key argument in a lawsuit.
Based on data from the FBI and other reputable sources, here are some statistics from the last five years that highlight this danger:
- A study found that 24-hour retail locations had more than double the odds of experiencing a violent injury compared to stores that closed at night.
- According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, burglaries in 2023 were still about 6% above their pre-pandemic levels, even with recent drops in crime.
- Legal experts say businesses with poor lighting, functional locks, and visible security are more vulnerable, as simple, cost-effective measures can deter criminals.
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The Lawsuit Process: How a Lawyer Can Help
Going to court against a big company or its insurance is a serious step. They have influential lawyers whose job is to fight your claim. Our job is to be on your side, guiding you through the legal process.
- Initial Filing: We will prepare and file the legal documents that officially start your lawsuit.
- Discovery: We will gather evidence from the other side, including security logs, internal memos, and surveillance footage.
- Negotiation: We will talk with the other side to settle.
- Trial: If a settlement cannot be reached, we will represent you in court and fight for a fair judgment.
Taking the Next Steps
You must act quickly if a crime happens to you on someone else’s property. Getting legal advice early helps protect your evidence and starts building your case. You don’t have to go through this alone.
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The Role of a Lawyer: A Case Study
A lawyer’s role is to construct a powerful case for their client. Consider a situation where you were attacked in a store’s parking lot. Your legal team discovers the owner had previously removed a security guard to save money, even though they knew about similar past crimes. Your lawyers would:
- Gather evidence. They would collect police reports and internal memos to prove the history of incidents and the owner’s knowledge of the risks.
- Establish a connection. Using this evidence, they would directly link the owner’s choice to eliminate security to your attack.
- Argue for a win. This strategic approach demonstrates that the owner’s negligence caused your injury, strengthening your likelihood of winning the lawsuit.
Contact the Ben Crump Law firm for a Free Consultation.
If you believe bad security led to your injury, don’t wait. Call us for a free, private case review. We will listen to your story and help you understand your legal options.
About Ben Crump Law
Renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump founded Ben Crump Law PLLC, believing justice equals respect. His firm is devoted to advocating for the voiceless of our society, whenever or whatever kind of harm may have befallen them. From personal injury to labor and employment matters to class action lawsuits and many other types (click to view all practice areas), our attorneys are dedicated to holding the powerful accountable for their actions.
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