Atlanta Negligent Security Lawyer

Were you attacked on someone else’s property as a result of negligent or inadequate security? If so, you may have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit. In Georgia, property owners have a legal duty to provide reasonable security for the guests that visit their property. If they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, they can be held accountable. Get in touch with the Atlanta injury attorneys at Hammers Law Firm today to learn more about your rights – initial consultations are free.

WHO HAS A DUTY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SECURITY?

When a person is attacked or assaulted in a public area, it is important to determine whether or not that crime could have been prevented. As a general rule, Georgia law holds that property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe in order to prevent foreseeable criminal acts.

Liability for negligent or inadequate security can extend to any of the following:

  • Shopping centers
  • Hotels and motels
  • Apartment complexes
  • College campuses
  • Bars and nightclubs
  • Restaurants
  • Concert venues
  • Sports stadiums
  • Office buildings
  • MARTA stations

EXAMPLES OF NEGLIGENT OR INADEQUATE SECURITY

Typically, a negligent security claim will allege that a property owner or business establishment failed to implement appropriate security measures—without which a criminal was allowed to perpetrate a violent crime. Some of the most common examples of inadequate security include:

  • Failure to install or maintain adequate lighting
  • Failure to fix broken locks, doors, gates, or fencing
  • Failure to install surveillance cameras on the property
  • Failure to respond to a security warning, alert, or threat
  • Failure to increase security measures after repeated crime
  • Failure to warn visitors about foreseeable dangers

THE ELEMENTS OF AN INADEQUATE SECURITY CLAIM

When it comes to premises liability, it is important to understand that a landowner is not liable for every crime that is committed on their property. Rather, civil liability arises only when it can be proven that the property owner, business establishment, or event sponsor failed to exercise reasonable care.

In a negligent security case, the victim must be able to establish that:

  • They were a tenant, customer, or guest that was authorized to be on the premises
  • The defendant had a legal or contractual duty to keep the premises reasonably safe
  • The defendant negligently failed to protect visitors from foreseeable crimes
  • The crime would not have occurred if the defendant had provided adequate security
  • As a result of the defendant’s negligence, they were harmed by a third party

DISCUSS YOUR CASE WITH AN ATLANTA INJURY LAWYER

If you or someone you love was injured in a preventable crime, now is the time to take action. Call the Atlanta premises liability attorneys at Hammers Law Firm today to learn more about your rights. We have handled thousands of personal injury claims over the last several decades, earning us an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell® and membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®. Find out how we can put this experience to work for you by scheduling your free, no-risk consultation today.