Human attacks on other humans can be very unpredictable. And when a tragedy such as a robbery or a mass shooting occurs, the victims may not know whether to blame the premises owner, gun manufacturer, local police, or even themselves.
A property or business owner may not be able to predict the future, but it is still their responsibility to provide reasonable security measures to protect lawful guests from foreseeable crimes.
The property owner may be accused of negligent security if the crime could have been prevented or less likely to happen had there been adequate security. Residential and commercial landowners can be sued for negligent security. However, the scope of that owner’s responsibility is dependent on the property. Our expert team of premises liability attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers understand premises liability and will fight for your personal injury case.
To schedule a free consultation at our Los Angeles personal injury law firm, please contact our 24/7 legal team by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our quick contact form.
In the state of California, it is up to the plaintiff or victim to prove that the property owner acted negligently by failing to provide the proper security or not taking measures to protect a resident from prior criminal activities. The plaintiff would have to show that they have the legal right to be on the land, as well as the owner’s lack of responsibility and duty of care. They must also prove that the owner’s actions or lack thereof directly caused their injury.
An important factor in proving your premises liability/negligent security case is proving that the crime was foreseeable. This could be based on whether similar crimes happened near or around the location, or that the owner already knew about the safety concerns. For example, if several robberies happened in a store, it is likely that another robbery may occur. A judge may examine how many times the police were called to the location and if the nature of the crimes were similar.
The level of security needed varies per venue. While some properties require trained security professionals on the premises during business hours or when guests are on the property, other venues simply need adequate lighting, functional locks, and security cameras. The volume of people on the premises also affects the security, as safety concerns increase with larger groups of people.
In California, it is the duty of the property owner to provide adequate safety precautions for all the guests who are legally allowed to be on the property. When a crime has become a pattern around a certain area it is understood that crime is, in fact, foreseeable.
Therefore, the owner must take reasonable action. If you have sustained injuries as a result of a premises liability accident, our skilled premises liability attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers can help you recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact us today by calling 213-927-3700 or filling out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with our experienced, caring, and compassionate legal team.
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