How To Prove Inadequate Security In An Injury Lawsuit

Owners or managers of public properties are expected to provide adequate security to protect all visitors from injuries. If you are injured in such a place due to inadequate security, you can use the lack of security as a basis for a liability claim against the building's managers or owners. Of course, you will need to prove your claim, and the following four factors are some of the things you can use to prove your claim:

Missing Security Installations

Some security installations have become almost standard, and all public buildings are expected to have them or their equivalents. For example, college dorms are expected to have security measures in place (such as restricted access) to keep away uninvited guests. Other examples of security installations include secure gates, CCTV cameras, and alarms. The exact security measure depends on the type or function of the building. If you feel that you were injured in a place, say a parking lot, due to missing security features, consult an injury lawyer like those at Kiernan Personal Injury Attorneys PA to help you assess whether your claim is genuine.

Inadequate Security Staff

In addition to security installations, most places also have and are expected to have security staff. For example, a typical nightclub is expected to have security staff to quash potential confrontations between revelers. Therefore, you have a legitimate claim of inadequate security if you are injured in a nightclub and it turns out that your injuries could have been prevented if the club had hired adequate security staff.

Defective Equipment

There is equipment that needs to be always operational for a building to be considered safe. This includes security equipment and other installations whose primary function may not be security but nevertheless help in securing a place.

For example, a hotel becomes less secure when its security cameras or alarm system malfunction. Similarly, your hotel room becomes less secure if its door doesn't lock properly. You can use any of those failures as a basis for your inadequate security claim – if you can prove it.

Failure to Warn

Lastly, you may also have a legitimate claim if you can prove that relevant and timely warnings would have prevented your injuries. Courts usually rule that building owners or managers have a duty to warn their visitors about potential risks if related accidents have occurred on or near the building. For example, a shopping mall should warn its visitors about parking mall safety if there has been a spate of muggings in the parking lot or on nearby parking lots.