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Common Examples of Negligent Security

By Grant Law Office on September 20, 2022

Negligent security refers to an incident where a crime occurs on someone’s property due to a lack of security. As an owner of a property, whether it’s a residential property like a rental home or commercial property such as a convenience store, shopping mall, restaurant or bar, the owner has to provide adequate security in order to keep others safe.

But this does not mean that every time a crime is committed on someone’s property, the owner will be liable for the harm caused or any losses that may occur as a result.

What Can Go Wrong When Security Is Negligent?

When security is negligent, many types of crimes can occur. The most common include:

Armed Robbery

Armed robbery is the most common offense that occurs due to the lack of proper security. When a property has little or no security it becomes a target for offenders as they have a low risk of getting caught or being injured.

Assaults

Assaults can occur anywhere or anytime, but their severity and likelihood is increased when the security is inadequate.

Battery

Battery is the term used when an assault leads to serious injury. A case of battery can often be prevented if a security guard is present.

Sexual Assaults

Sexual assaults can have a lasting impact on a person’s life due to the physical and emotional harm that they can cause. Good security will decrease the likelihood of a sexual assault occuring.

Murder

Murder is a serious offence that takes away the life of another and has enormous impacts on the family and friends of the deceased.

What Kind of Security Can Prevent Crimes?

Having adequate security does help to prevent crimes and without it a person may be held partially liable for the crime. But this does not mean that property owners must have the best, top notch security–their security just has to be reasonable. Security cameras, security guards, locks on doors, fences, gates, alarm systems, and caution signs are examples of security that can prevent or help to prevent criminal activity.

How Is Liability Determined?

A defendant is liable for the criminal offense if the plaintiff proves that the defendant owed a duty of care and they breached that duty of care, causing harm to the plaintiff. To prove that an owner owed a duty of care, the owner of the property must have foreseen the danger and did nothing to prevent it.

These types of cases very much depend on individual facts and circumstances, as an owner is only negligent if they knew or should have known about the dangerous circumstances. Courts look at a range of factors to determine the liability of an owner. These may include:

• Employee security
• Interior and exterior security
• Administrative security
• The area where the crime took place
• History of criminal activity
• The types of criminal activity on the area

How Can a Lawyer Help You?

An Atlanta premises liability lawyer can determine whether your case will succeed or not after learning all the facts of the case due to negligent security. A lawyer can also determine what compensation is available to you, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages or emotional damages.

Have you or a loved one suffered a loss due to inadequate security? Get in touch with Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955 today.