Any time you enter a restaurant, bar, store, or other business establishment, your safety may be at risk. Many shoppers and patrons have suffered injuries, or even been killed due to a lack of proper security. However, there are several ways for a business to ensure their visitors are safe, including the following:
- Building fencing around the perimeter
- Installing sufficient lighting
- Installing security cameras
- Hiring sufficient security personnel
When a Georgia business fails to implement adequate security measures, visitors may end up in dangerous situations. Negligent security may lead to several crimes, including:
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
- Murder
- Robbery
Filing a claim for negligent security
If you were injured due to negligent security, you will have to establish that the property owner or another party’s negligence caused your incident. Some examples of negligent security include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Broken door locks, gates, or other issues with access control
- Lack of security personnel
- Failing to provide proper training/supervision to security staff
- Malfunctioning alarm system
- Faulty security cameras
To prove negligence, you must show:
- Duty of care: Generally, a property owner has a duty of care to take reasonable action to maintain the security of the premises to ensure the safety of all legal guests.
- Breach of duty: The property owner breached their duty of care by failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the security of lawful visitors or failing to take reasonable action to address foreseeable security threats.
- Causation: The property owner’s failure to provide sufficient security caused the incident and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered injuries because of the incident.
The physical and emotional injuries you may face after a crime caused by negligent security may be difficult to manage without financial support. Filing a claim against the owner of the property where the crime occurred could help you recover compensation for your injuries.