Can I Pursue Compensation for Injuries Caused by Negligent Security?
There are a variety of situations in which a person may be injured while on someone else’s property. If a person’s injuries occurred because of the property owner’s negligence, the victim may be able to recover financial compensation through a premises liability claim. These cases will often involve accidents that occur because a property owner failed to correct hazardous conditions or warn visitors about the risks of injury. However, victims may also be able to pursue compensation for injuries that occurred because a property owner was negligent in providing the proper security to protect the safety of guests.
Requirements for Adequate Security
Property owners or tenants in control of property have a duty to protect the safety of those who are allowed to enter and use the premises. This duty includes taking steps to prevent foreseeable events, such as assault, robbery, or theft. Adequate security must be provided at all times when visitors or guests are present.
Property owners may need to address multiple different forms of security, including:
- External security - All necessary protective measures should be taken to ensure the safety of visitors who are in outdoor areas. These measures may include maintaining adequate lighting, installing security cameras, using security guards to monitor certain areas, and ensuring that doors, gates, and windows have the proper locks. Examples of injuries that can occur because of lack of external security include assaults or robberies that take place due to inadequate lighting in a public parking garage.
- Internal security - A property owner should enforce policies to protect those who are inside a building or premises. These policies may include prohibiting patrons from entering a premises while carrying a weapon or ejecting patrons who have threatened the safety of others. Injuries caused by inadequate internal security may occur in situations such as bars or nightclubs that do not take the proper measures to break up fights between patrons.
- Employee security - Employers should conduct background checks on security guards or other employees in positions that affect the safety of patrons, and they should provide the proper training to ensure that security policies are followed correctly. Examples of situations where inadequate employee security may lead to injuries include personnel in nursing homes or apartment buildings who do not follow the proper procedures when checking in visitors.
Contact Our Kane County Premises Liability Attorneys
If you have been injured at a store, bar, restaurant, nightclub, apartment building, college campus, or other public place, you will want to understand whether your injury occurred because of a lack of adequate security. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur, PC, our attorneys can investigate your case and gather evidence to show that you suffered harm because of a property owner’s negligence. We will work with you to help you receive financial compensation for your injuries and damages. To arrange a free consultation, contact our Aurora premises liability lawyers at 630-907-0909.
Sources:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2048&ChapterID=57
https://www.jameseducationcenter.com/articles/premises-security/
