Premises liability law often applies in slip and fall cases, where a property owner fails to correct a known danger, causing someone to suffer injury on the property.
But in reality, premises liability extends to any scenario in which a property owner fails to ensure the safety of the people using the property for its intended purpose. So if the owner in question fails to secure the property adequately from danger and someone is injured as a result, the injured party can sue under premises liability law.
Some examples of inadequate security
Security comes in many forms and many more types of properties carry a duty of care for security than you might realize. Inadequate security claims can be filed against:
- Businesses
- Apartment buildings
- Office buildings
- Schools
- Campuses
- Shopping malls
- ATM locations
Specific examples of inadequate provision of security include:
- Employing improperly-trained or inadequate numbers of security guards
- Providing inadequate lighting
- Failing to fix broken locks
- Failing to secure ATMs from thieves
Some ATM heists can escalate into the millions of dollars.
Follow up with authorities as soon as the incident occurs
A valid negligent security claim can collapse in negotiation or litigation if you fail to act immediately after an incident occurs.
- Always report the incident to the police and seek immediate medical attention. Failure to do so could help the property owner argue that the negligence was not directly responsible for the incident or your injuries
- Get the names and contact information of all witnesses
- Sign nothing provided by the property owner or the property insurer
- Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in the area
