Georgia Negligent Security Lawyer

Premises liability laws holds property owners responsible for keeping their premises safe. If for any reason they fail to do this, they can be held liable for any damages their negligence caused. This duty extends to keeping their property safe from 3d party criminal activity, which can include restaurants, schools, stores, apartments and banks for example. If necessary the property owner should take appropriate measures to ensure their visitor’s safety, including secure doors, proper lighting in parking lots and stairwells, and provide security guards when necessary.

These claims can arise due to:

• Negligent hotel security;
• Negligent bank security;
• Negligent shopping mall security;
• Negligent hospital security.

Negligent security cases usually arise in places of business frequented by the public. Criminals may be aware that these areas are unsupervised by security, and therefore feel that they can hassle patrons unabated. A common scenario would be where a person walks through a dark parking garage at night. It stands to reason that given the situation, a security guard on duty may be appropriate. If the person is robbed or harassed, it can be argued that if security had been present, the altercation would not have happened.

This area of law is dynamic. In Georgia for instance, there is a question of apportioning damages in these cases. Usually, where multiple parties are involved in a negligence related injury accident, a jury will apportion damages based on each party’s degree of liability. In Georgia however, there is conflicting case law in this area.

These cases enable plaintiffs to pursue a civil remedy from parties other than in criminal court. Property owners argue they are unfairly being held responsible for third party actions, yet public policy feels says otherwise. Public policy leans toward landowners being being held accountable and taking reasonable precautions to keep their property safe.

Negligent security cases tend to be very fact specific and challenging. It is for this reason that it is important to consult with a qualified Georgia personal injury lawyer for guidance. We can help you sort through the facts of your case and advise you of the best course of action moving forward. Be sure not to delay, as it is important to preserve evidence before the other party have an opportunity to hide the issue.