Negligent Security Contributing to Shopping Center Injuries
Most people go to shopping centers to run errands, hangout with friends, or just have fun. What shoppers don’t expect when they head out for their day is to be injured in an accident or assault. Unfortunately, crowded shopping centers do tend to invite crime, especially during the busy holiday season.
Individuals who fall victim to a crime at a shopping center should consider filing a premises liability claim. Premises liability laws require property owners to maintain a safe environment for visitors.
When it comes to a shopping center, security is essential to a safe environment. If security is negligent, the risk of crime increases significantly.
The experienced attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau have handled numerous cases involving negligent security at shopping centers. We can help our Daytona Beach, FL clients collect financial compensation they may be due after suffering from injuries related to negligent security.
Understanding Premises Liability
There are few guarantees in life, and property owners certainly cannot guarantee the safety of everyone who steps foot on their property. This would impossible, especially for shopping center owners, since these properties can have thousands of visitors a day. However, property owners are expected to uphold certain safety standards. These standards are legally known as premises liability laws.
Premises liability holds property owners accountable for doing what can be reasonably expected to maintain a safe environment for the visitors invited to their property. Property owners are expected to keep areas free of hazards that could cause accidents or injury.
They also should maintain a secure environment that discourages criminal activity. If a person is injured as the result of a property owner’s negligence to uphold these standards, the injured victim can file a premises liability lawsuit to seek compensation for any related damages.
Proving Negligent Security
There are no specific laws in place regarding how much security, or what type of security, a shopping center is required to have. That is why it is important for crime and injury victims to work with experienced attorneys, such as those at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, when seeking compensation related to premises liability.
There are several factors that can be helpful in building a strong case of premises liability related to negligent security:
- The history of crime in the area
- The number of security staff members on duty
- The amount of training provided to security team members
- The quality of lighting in and around the shopping center (including in the parking lots)
- The presence (or lack thereof) of security measures such as cameras and alarm systems
Compensation
If we can show that negligent security was partially or wholly to blame for a criminal act and resulting injuries, we will seek compensation for their damages. Compensation will vary based on the specifics of each case, but potential areas of loss include medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Learn More
If you have been injured at a shopping center and believe that negligent security is to blame, the experienced premises liability attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau can be of assistance. Contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about your legal rights. Call (386) 258-7313 to set up a personal consultation with a member of our legal team.