New York Negligent Security Lawyer
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There are lots of places we go where we expect some level of security. Sometimes, that will be security measures provided by property owners – perhaps guards or security cameras on an apartment building. In other cases, this security might be more public – for instance, security guards at a ball game or public event.
However, security that’s provided isn’t always adequate – and it’s a sad fact that this often isn’t realised until it’s too late.
If you’ve been injured and you feel like a property owner, company or public body could have done a better job of protecting you from harm, you may have a negligent security claim.
For a free consultation with an attorney experienced in negligent security cases, you can contact our law firm at 332-244-3917
What Is Negligent Security?
Most negligent security claims are handled under premises liability laws. In this kind of law suit, an experienced New York negligent security attorney will look at the law and the reasonable expectation of security and – if it found to have led to injury – we will pursue business owners or property owners for providing inadequate security.
Since premises liability and negligent security cases can be quite complex, it’s useful to think about some examples of how they can work.
Example 1. Inadequate security measures at an apartment block
If the individual or company that owns an apartment block provides security, that security should be appropriate to the level of risk in the surrounding areas.
For example, if there is criminal or violent behavior in the neighborhood, security measures should reflect that. If the owner or management company responsible for security know there is a problem but they fail to provide the level of security required, they could be held liable for any injury to a tenant that results from that criminal activity.
Example 2. No security measures in a commercial building
When you are on commercial premises, the owners have a legal duty to make sure you’re safe from reasonable risks. One such risk would be past criminal activity occurring on or near their premises.
So, if the business close late and the parking lot doesn’t have adequate lighting, they could be liable if a criminal attack takes place on the lot.
There’s no one-size-fits-all with a premises liability case
There are some areas of law where it is plain to see if an offence has taken place. In other parts of New York law, it can be more difficult to decide if wrongdoing has occurred.
As such, some clients find themselves wondering whether or not they should explore a negligent security case. People will often shoulder the blame themselves – wondering if they were at fault for the injuries they’ve suffered.
In cases like this, our advice is simple: Talk to experienced NYC negligent security lawyers about whether you may have a personal injury lawsuit. The law can be complex – so you need trustworthy experts you can rely on to help you understand your rights. At Sakkas, Cahn and Weiss, LLP, we combine this expertise with a friendly, understanding approach. We’ll guide you in the right direction, whatever the law says about your unique circumstances.
How do negligent security attorneys approach this kind of case?
A negligent security case presents a unique set of challenges for an attorney – so it’s important that you choose one with experience and a proven track-record.
We always start by establishing whether or not the property owner owed you a duty of care. In simple terms, was it their job to keep you safe? This often requires a deep-dive into premises and municipal liability law – areas we excel in.
We then need to look at the criminal activity itself. Was it reasonably foreseeable? Now, anyone could argue that they can’t predict the future – but, this is not the case. Looking at previous crimes in the property or the area will help us establish whether or not the property owner could have foreseen a problem.
Beyond this, we’ll use our experience and the experience of security experts to help us decide whether the security measures in place we aligned with the level of risk that was present.
What does it mean to ‘provide adequate security’?
Clearly, there’s no cookie-cutter approach to security. After all, the security required for an airport is very different to the kind of security needed for a small commercial office block.
With this in mind, we’ll take a detailed look at the proper security measures that are in place. These might include:
- Door and window locks
- Perimeter fences and gates
- Staff training
- Lighting levels
- Security cameras and coverage
- Numbers of security guards
- Previous risk assessments carried out
It’s important that a New York City negligent security attorney explores these factors in detail to understand what should be in place, what has previously been in place, and what may be in place but not operating as required.
What kinds of costs and damages might be recovered in negligent security cases?
If you’ve been the victim of an attack that the appropriate security could have prevented, you can be left with enormous medical bills and other unforeseen costs. We will passionately advocate on your behalf to make sure you’re compensated for all current and future costs.
Such costs can include:
- Medical treatment
- Ongoing care and support
- Injury rehabilitation
- Emotional distress and suffering
- On-going or permanent disfigurement
- Disability
- Lost wages and future income
- Missed opportunities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Of course, we also advocate for people who have lost loved one as a result of negligent security practices. We understand that it is impossible to put a value on a person’s life – but we’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure that you will not be left with a financial hole in your life.
What happens if you feel partly to blame for your injuries?
We’re often taught to take some level of responsibility for things that happen in our lives. Unfortunately, this often leads people to believe they are solely responsible for something that’s happened.
This is almost never the case. In fact, premises liability laws are clear than there is no either/or determination. Put simply, this means there’s room to explore a case even if you feel like you could have done things differently.
For instance, if there were measures a plaintiff could have taken in addition to measures that should have been taken by the defendant, then it could be ruled that liability could be split between the two parties. If you are found to be 10% liable for the incident, then you will receive 90% of damages – and so on.
Remember. If negligent security is a factor, it’s extremely unlikely that you’d ever be found 100% liable for what has happened. Ever if a portion of the fault falls with you, we’ll do everything possible to make sure you receive financial compensation to cover the impact of the incident on your life.
What does a free consultation involve?
We understand that the idea of sitting across from a negligent security lawyer could feel intimidating – so the partners here at Sakkas, Cahn and Weiss do everything possible to make you feel relaxed and welcome.
Our free case evaluation starts with an informal chat. We’ll listen as you walk us through what’s happened. When we discuss the law, we do so without any complicated jargon – after all, we’re the one’s that will be putting your case together.
We’re proud to create incredible attorney/client relationships. We’ll focus on the law so you can focus on recovering and feeling better.
Talk To A New York City Negligent Security Attorney Today
You shouldn’t have to second guess whether or not you are safe when there should be adequate security measures in place. If you’ve come to any kind of harm because security was lacking, we’re here to talk to you about what the next steps should be.
Call us today at 332-244-3917 for a free consultation.
