An accident-related injury can have a significant impact on a person’s life. Depending on its severity, an injury can cause its victim temporary setbacks or lifelong disability. It is important that any party responsible for the accident is held liable for damages.
Premises liability laws hold property owners accountable if an accident or injury occurs because they have failed to adequately maintain their property. These laws extend to many aspects of property maintenance, including having a safe and secure environment for lawful visitors.
The experienced lawyers at Golitko & Daly, P.C. have handled many cases involving premises liability and inadequate building security in the Indianapolis, IN area. They are ready to fight for injury victims so they are justly compensated for their losses.
Injuries Related to Inadequate Security
In many premises liability cases, there is a clear hazard. Crumbling steps, unsecured inventory, or a wet floor are examples of premises liability hazards. These types of accidents are easy to connect to poor property maintenance.
While inadequate security may not seem to be as clearly linked to injuries, security monitoring plays a big role in maintaining a property’s safety. Crimes are much more likely to occur on properties that lack security measures such as lighting, cameras, and active security guards.
Lawful visitors to properties without adequate security may suffer injuries from robbery, assault, battery, rape, or other crimes. Injuries like these not only damage a person physically, but also psychologically. After a physical assault, a victim may find it difficult to feel safe anywhere, even in their own home.
Proving Premises Liability
If a property owner fails to provide security and other safety measures to protect visitors to their property and a crime takes place, they can be held liable for resulting damages. However, there must be a strong case to prove premises liability in order for compensation to be awarded to the victim.
In a premises liability case involving inadequate security, the plaintiff must prove that the following statements are all true.
- The plaintiff was a lawful visitor to the property.
- The property owner was negligent in providing security on the premises.
- A foreseeable crime took place on the property.
- The plaintiff was injured as a result of the crime.
- The crime could have been prevented if adequate security was in place.
A crime’s foreseeability is one of the most crucial aspects of a premises liability case. However, it’s also one of the most difficult criteria to prove. The lawyers at Goltiko & Daly will gather evidence such as police records of previous crimes on the property or in surrounding areas and the number of times that law enforcement was called to a property.
Compensation
Injury victims in premises liability cases may be due compensatory damages for the full extent of their losses. This may include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In some cases, we will also seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish property owners for extreme negligence or malice. Punitive damages are rewarded to discourage similar behaviors and incidents in the future.
Our lawyers will carefully examine the details of each case and seek the full extent of damages that we believe our clients are due.
Contact Us
If you have suffered a personal injury as the result of the reckless or negligent behavior of another person or party, you may be due financial compensation for your damages. To learn more about your legal rights, contact us at your earliest convenience.
