What to Know About Inadequate Security
We don’t always think of having security guards and surveillance cameras monitoring various premises, but a lack of security can cause you to be at a high risk for a crime. When there’s a clear need for security, but none is present and it causes you to be injured, then it can be a premises liability issue called inadequate security.
Inadequate security is a type of premises liability dealing with crimes and violent acts caused by a negligent property owner who failed to provide security, causing a crime to occur. In short, a person injured by a third party tries to hold the owner or tenant of the property liable for the crime. The injury in a negligent security case may arise out of robbery, assault, battery, or rape.
However, not all places need security. The duty to provide security is based on factors such as the ease of providing specific security measures or the foreseeability of the harm.
For example, owners of apartment buildings and landlords have a legal duty to ensure the property is reasonably safe and secure for tenants and visitors. Therefore, if a foreseeable crime causes you to suffer an injury or other damages, the property owner could be held liable for the incident even though somebody else committed it.
This can seem like a raw deal for the property owner. Why sue them rather than the person who committed the crime? It is easier for a visitor to locate the owner of property than a stranger who perpetrated a crime. The property owner is also more likely to have insurance so that the damages can be recovered.
Examples of Inadequate Security
Inadequate security may be seen in the following forms:
- Poor access control. Unsecured doors, lack of proper locks, or no system to monitor who enters or exits a facility.
- Lack of surveillance. Missing or poorly functioning security cameras in critical areas.
- Insufficient lighting. Dark or poorly lit areas around a property, increasing vulnerability to theft or assaults.
- No security personnel. Lack of trained guards to respond to potential threats.
- Faulty alarm systems. Alarm systems that don’t work properly or fail to notify authorities.
A business or property owner can prevent a claim of inadequate security by being proactive and discussing the situation with a lawyer. A business should consult an attorney if there has been a crime on the premises to determine whether or not to increase security measures. An attorney can also help evaluate the extent to which a certain security measure may actually reduce the risk of a crime.
Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today
A lack of security on a premises can result in a crime. If you have been a victim, it’s important to seek legal help.
A Morristown premises liability attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can help you prove an unsafe property condition caused you to suffer an injury and damages. We can assist you with physical and financial recovery. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (973) 455-1567.
