Can I Sue a Business for Injuries Caused by Inadequate Security?

 Posted on February 24, 2021 in Personal Injury

Many victims of assault, sexual assault, battery, robbery, or other crimes are unaware of all of their legal options. Most realize that they may be able to report the perpetrator to the police, but they are unaware of the civil legal actions they may take. If you or a loved one were injured in a bar fight, mugging, or other violent act caused by inadequate security, you may be able to bring a premises liability lawsuit against the property owner or occupier. You may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, emotional and mental suffering, and more.

Insufficient Security Measures Can Lead to Avoidable Injuries

Businesses like restaurants, bars, nightclubs, retail stores, and apartment complexes cannot prevent every conceivable injury from occurring on the property. However, property owners are held to certain safety standards by law. Per the Illinois Premises Liability Act, property owners and property occupiers are required to exercise “reasonable care” to prevent avoidable injuries from occurring on their property. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent crime and violent acts. What constitutes “reasonable care” is often difficult to determine. The level of security that a business needs depends on many different factors including the overall level of crime in the area and whether visitors to the property have been harmed by criminal acts in the past.

Examples of Negligent Security at a Commercial Business

Individuals patronizing a business should not have to worry about being the victim of an attack. Business owners and/or property owners should take steps to reduce the chances of customers being victimized. Examples of negligent security may include:

• Failure to install working security cameras
• Not hiring adequate security guards
• Poorly-lit parking lots
• Broken or missing locks
• Non-functioning gates
• Negligent hiring practices

Most negligent security claims come down to the question of foreseeability. For example, if a property owner knew that several customers had been victims of muggings in the parking lot and did nothing to improve security, the property owner may be liable for injuries caused in subsequent attacks.

Contact a Bloomingdale Premises Liability Lawyer

Being the victim of a violent crime is a terrifying ordeal to experience. The physical and mental scars resulting from an assault, battery, robbery, or other violent act can have a considerable impact on the victim’s life. Criminal charges against the perpetrator may get justice for the victim, but they do not provide financial restitution.

If you or a loved one were hurt in an attack that would have been prevented by adequate security, you may be entitled to compensation for the financial and non-financial harm caused in the attack through a premises liability claim. Contact a Naperville insufficient security attorney from Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices to learn more. Call 630-932-9100 for a free consultation.