New York City Negligent Security Lawyer

Fighting to Hold Negligent Parties Liable for a Lack of Safety

We’ve all been to places where security cameras, door access codes, and locked gates make an area seem a little like a prison. However, it’s typically the case that such measures are implemented for the safety of individuals lawfully on the property. Negligent security measures can be an invitation to criminal activity and other dangers. When this results in injuries or other harm, victims may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. A New York City negligent security lawyer may be able to assist.

At Linton Robinson & Higgins, LLP, our team of personal injury attorneys is committed to securing favorable outcomes for our clients. We’ve seen far too many people suffer serious harm due to a lack of proper security measures. You should be able to go anywhere you’re legally allowed to be — from gas stations to the corporate headquarters of multi-billion dollar corporations — without fear of being victimized. If a property owner failed to provide such an environment, they may be liable for damages.

Don’t face these difficulties on your own. The New York negligent security lawyers at our law firm are here to help. Contact us for a free consultation today.

What Does a Negligent Security Claim Look Like?

When negligent security leads to serious injury or other losses, the outcome can vary based on the unique circumstances of the case. In some instances, it may be possible to secure a fair settlement from the insurance company of the at-fault party. In other situations, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are some commonalities. For instance, these incidents typically occur on someone else’s property other than the victim’s.

Additionally, many New York City negligent security cases involve wrongful acts associated with the following:

Inadequate lighting: Property owners who fail to have adequate lighting create a safe haven for criminals who want to engage in illegal activities under the cover of darkness.
Faulty or broken locks: Many cases involving inadequate security measures are related to faulty or broken locks — or a failure to change locks after a break-in or a tenant leaves.
Lack of security personnel: There are some locations and situations where having security guards on staff only makes sense. Failure to have these guards can result in negative outcomes.
Unsecured entrances or exits: It’s not uncommon for a premises liability case to involve unsecured entrances or exits. Negligent property owners essentially leave their property open for criminals to come and go as they wish.
Lack of access control: Many properties can forgo having a security guard on staff by simply utilizing access control measures (e.g., access codes on doors). A failure to do so invites criminal activity.
Failure to perform background checks: If an employer fails to conduct a background check to discover past criminal activity, they may inadvertently bring a dangerous felon around those who are legally on their property.
Poor landscaping: It may sound strange that our legal system would hold someone liable for damages based on poor landscaping, but such negligence could provide hiding places for people with bad intentions.
Lack of security cameras: New York law doesn’t require property owners to have security cameras — even if they’re in high-crime areas. However, failure to install them may make a location more appealing to criminals.
Failure to respond to prior incidents: Employers, property owners, and property managers can be held responsible if they fail to respond to previous incidents (e.g., violent behavior) and such incidents occur again.
Lack of security at public events: The extent of premises liability law can vary situationally. For instance, security guards may not be necessary at a location normally — but if a public event is hosted on the property, such measures may be essential.
Insufficient staff training: When security dangers arise at shopping centers, theme parks, and other businesses open to the public, a lack of staff training can lead to avoidable harm.
Failure to respond to complaints: An injury victim may be able to recover compensation if they can show that property owners failed to respond to previous complaints about on-site dangers.

Inadequate security is a major concern to individuals who are legally on private or public property. However, suffering an injury on these properties does not guarantee that a person is entitled to compensation. That’s because it’s necessary to establish liability.

How Is Liability Proven in Negligent Security Cases?

To establish liability in negligent security cases, it’s necessary to show that a third party’s actions directly led to harm. This is true whether someone is the victim of a criminal attack or a vicious dog managed to get into unsecured property. Establishing liability for these claims requires proving the same three elements as all other personal injury cases. These include:

Duty of care: Most people have a duty of care in some aspect of their lives. This is a duty to avoid actions or inaction that could cause harm to others.
Violation of duty: When someone violates a duty of care, they may be liable for damages. A property owner’s negligence (e.g., inadequate security) could qualify as a violation.
Harm causation: When a property owner owes a duty of care and violates that duty, they may be responsible for any harm that results from that violation.

If these elements exist, a property owner’s failure to provide adequate security could leave them liable for damages. However, keep in mind that these cases are rarely straightforward. The defendant and their insurance company are likely to put the blame on you — or at least claim that there was no duty of care to prevent what happened to you.

Fortunately, experienced New York negligent security lawyers can review your case and fight to ensure you get fair compensation. Contact Linton Robinson & Higgins today to schedule your free initial consultation. Our law firm is here to help.

Are Property Owners Always the Liable Parties?

When someone fails to install adequate security measures, it’s understandable that the blame might fall on the property owner. However, this isn’t always the case. For instance, is it the duty of a property owner to provide security guards if they’re simply renting out a space to a company? In such a situation, wouldn’t the requirements of New York negligent security laws fall to the business itself? What about situations where the owner isn’t actively involved in daily operations — and they hire a property manager to handle issues that may arise?

In these and many other situations, the property owner may not be responsible for implementing adequate security measures. Of course, when negligent security results in serious harm — resulting personal injury cases can be incredibly complex. There may be multiple parties that share liability, and it’s important to identify all these parties in order to secure maximum compensation. Let our law firm review your negligent security claim. We’ll help you understand how to best move forward — and since we offer a free consultation, you have nothing to lose by reaching out.

What Damages Are Available in Negligent Security Lawsuits?

Regardless of whether it’s a property owner, manager, or other entity responsible for your injuries, most cases involving inadequate security are resolved via settlement negotiations. In fact, such negotiations are effective in more than 90% of personal injury cases. However, it may be the case that the insurance company or at-fault party refuses to properly compensate you.

In such cases, litigation may be necessary. At this point, you could be entitled to compensation for financial losses (i.e., special damages), non-financial losses (i.e., general damages), or even receive additional punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault party rather than reimburse you for any losses. You could recover compensation for everything from lost wages and medical bills to emotional distress and pain and suffering.

New York property owners have a responsibility to provide safe premises, and when they fail to do so, they need to be held accountable. Contact our law firm today to discuss your case during a free case evaluation. We’re here to assist in any way we can.

Contact Our New York City Negligent Security Attorneys Today

A negligent security case may sound confusing to those looking at one from the outside. For instance, envision a scenario where a young student suffers a sexual assault in a dark parking garage. It may seem clear that the assailant is the one we should blame, but it’s often the case that there are other responsible parties. In this situation, adequate security measures could’ve required nothing more than repairing broken lights as they blew out. If a negligent property owner fails to do this and then a crime occurs on their property, an injured person may be able to target them for liability as well.

At Linton Robinson & Higgins, LLP, we understand how complex these cases can be. We’ve handled many negligent security claims during our time in NYC, and we know what it takes to secure fair compensation in these complicated claims. When someone has a legal duty to provide a safe environment for others, they need to take it seriously. If they fail to do so, our New York City negligent security lawyers may be able to help you hold them accountable. Contact us at (332) 241-9036 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney.

Our law offices are here to help.