An unmonitored parking lot, a poorly lit stairwell, or a broken lock are all examples of negligent security and can be the difference between a safe night out and a life changed forever. Every time you enter a new place, you trust businesses and property owners to prioritize your safety. When they fall short, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Owner Responsibilities
Property and business owners have a legal duty to keep their guests reasonably safe. When they fail to take proper precautions and someone is harmed, they can be held accountable. This duty of care includes putting safety measures in place to prevent foreseeable harm. This includes:
- employing security personnel
- maintaining locks on entryways
- installing cameras or motion sensors
- ensuring proper lighting
Ultimately, these protections make sure that every guest can visit, stay, or pass through the property safely.
When Safety is Overlooked
Security measures are in place to protect not only the safety of guests, but property as well. Areas without sufficient security can quickly turn into hotspots for violent attacks, fights, muggings, robberies, burglaries, stalking, kidnapping, vandalism, or theft. When visibility is low and no one is watching, perpetrators can act with little fear of being seen, stopped, or held accountable. This breakdown in safety can expose guests to serious harm, resulting in:
- Physical injuries
- Sexual harassment or assault
- Theft, vandalism, or property loss
- Financial hardship from medical care or lost belongings
- A long-term sense of fear, instability, or reduced quality of life
Building a Strong Case
If you were harmed because of negligent security and need legal representation, our team will help you prove that the duty of care held by the property owner was breached, and that the harm you suffered was foreseeable and preventable. The experienced negligent security lawyers at Schlesinger Law Offices can guide you in building and pursuing a case.
Building a strong case involves:
- Reporting the incident: Making sure that you have a documented report of the incident acknowledged by the property owner is an important step in building a legal case. Reports to local law enforcement are often necessary as well.
- Gathering medical evidence: Some of the most compelling and important evidence can come in the form of medical records. If you suffered physical harm or mental distress, visits to a medical expert will help both your recovery and serve as clear documentation of the harms you suffered.
- Documenting the breached duty of care: Photographs and witness statements showing broken locks, lack of lighting, or unmanned security areas, can be used to show that the property lacked proper safety measures and help document how the duty of care was breached.
Our team can help with all aspects of the legal process, from speaking to witnesses to representing you in court.
Examples of Notable Negligent Security Cases and Results
Negligent security and duty of care are not abstract concepts. Failures have real, devastating consequences when property owners don’t protect guests, customers, and residents from foreseeable harm. The following cases from across the country illustrate how inadequate lighting, poor monitoring, and ignored crime patterns can lead to life-altering injuries or loss of life. They also show how juries and courts hold negligent property owners accountable.
- A young woman attending a gathering at a major hotel was later found deceased in an unsecured walk-in freezer on the property. Her family alleged that inadequate monitoring, poor security protocols, and failure to secure non-public areas contributed to her death. The case ultimately resulted in a $10 million settlement.
- While home briefly from work, a resident in a mobile-home community saw someone attempting to steal his car and confronted the thief, who fatally shot him. The property had a documented pattern of criminal activity, but management had not taken reasonable steps to protect residents. A jury concluded that the property owner’s failure to provide adequate security contributed to the tragedy and awarded $31 million in damages.
- While meeting someone in a popular pharmacy parking lot to sell an iPad, a man was ambushed, robbed, and shot several times, suffering lasting harm. The property had a documented history of criminal activity, and the lawsuit claimed the business failed to provide reasonable security measures. A jury determined the attack was foreseeable and awarded $42.75 million.
These outcomes demonstrate a clear legal reality: when property owners ignore known risks and fail to take basic steps to protect the people on their premises, the consequences can be catastrophic. The cases also highlight how having an experienced negligent security attorney is essential in uncovering evidence, establishing foreseeability, and holding negligent property owners accountable.
How We Can Help
Do you need legal representation? Schlesinger Law Offices is a multigenerational personal injury law firm that has been securing justice for injured Floridians for over 70 years. We have successfully represented individuals harmed as a result of negligent security measures, securing life-changing verdicts that set our clients on paths to recovery.
Our firm has the experience, expertise, and resources to build a strong case and bring it to court. Our lawyers will:
- Identify all possible sources of compensation
- Handle discussions with insurance providers
- Investigate how the duty of care was breached and how it affected you
- Represent you in court
- Provide you with guidance, advice, and support
Have questions? Contact our office today.
Please note: we operate on a contingency basis, meaning that you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This way you can focus on recovery, not legal fees.