Waldorf, MD Negligent Security Attorneys

Lawyers for Injuries Caused by a Lack of Security in Waldorf, Maryland

When people visit a hotel, an apartment complex, a mall, a parking garage, or any other property open to the public, they should be able to expect that their safety will be protected. Property owners are required to take the proper steps to protect visitors from harm, including providing security to prevent criminal offenses. When a property owner fails to provide the proper security, and someone suffers harm as a result, the victim may take steps to hold the property owner accountable for their injuries and losses.

Negligent security may be addressed in premises liability cases, and when a property owner fails to take precautions to protect people against crimes, they may be held liable for the injuries that occur because of their negligence. The attorneys at Farmer & Klopfer represent victims who have suffered harm because of negligent security, and we work to hold negligent property owners accountable for the losses, injuries, and other damages our clients have suffered.

Types of Security Failures That Can Lead to Crimes or Injuries

Negligent security can take many forms, including:

Failure to Provide Security Personnel

On commercial properties like apartment complexes, hotels, entertainment venues, hospitals, and shopping centers, steps may need to be taken to protect the safety of guests or customers. The presence of security guards can help prevent criminal activity, and they can identify and respond to suspicious behavior or other threats. If a property owner does not employ security guards or does not ensure that security personnel have the proper training and experience, they may be liable for injuries that occur because of a lack of protection for visitors.

Failure to Install or Maintain Security Cameras

Surveillance cameras can discourage people from engaging in criminal activity, and they can capture evidence of crimes that do occur. Gaps in camera coverage can create opportunities for criminal behavior that would have been prevented by a properly designed and maintained surveillance system. Property owners who fail to install cameras in areas where criminal activity may occur or who do not keep cameras maintained may be held liable for harm that occurs due to these failures.

Inadequate Lighting

Poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, corridors, or exterior walkways can conceal potential threats. A person who cannot see and respond to danger may be at risk of harm due to a crime. The failure to provide adequate lighting may be addressed in a premises liability claim related to criminal activity.

Failure to Secure Doors and Windows

Functioning locks should be installed on doors and windows to prevent unauthorized entry. When these measures are not used, robberies or other crimes may occur. Lobby doors that are left unlocked, hotel rooms without locks on doors, or fences that have gaps that allow people to enter a property can be serious lapses in security. Property owners, managers, or landlords who do not take steps to limit access to a property may be held liable for their negligence.

Failure to Respond to Criminal Activity

In addition to installing security systems and taking other measures to protect against crimes, a property owner will need to respond appropriately to potential threats. When a property manager does not respond to complaints about criminal activity or does not take actions to protect against known issues, they may be held responsible for their failure to protect visitors, guests, or residents.

Inadequate Security at Special Events and Venues

Concert venues, sporting events, nightclubs, bars, and other places that draw large crowds may involve security risks. Due to large numbers of people, the use of alcohol, and other factors, conflicts may occur that could escalate into fights or assaults. Property owners and venue operators will need to employ security guards and take steps to manage patrons who are intoxicated or aggressive. If they do not take steps to prevent potential violence, they may be held responsible for their failures.

Harm Caused by Negligent Security

The crimes that occur as a result of negligent security can cause victims to suffer physical, emotional, and financial harm. They may be affected by crimes such as:

Robbery

In parking lots, garages, and poorly lit areas, robberies may occur due to a lack of security. In addition to financial losses, robbery victims may suffer physical injuries and emotional trauma due to threats or violence.

Assault and Battery

Physical assaults may occur during fights in bars or nightclubs, or people may be attacked in parking structures or other locations without adequate security. The physical injuries caused by an assault may include broken bones, soft tissue injuries, or brain trauma. Assault victims may also encounter post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Sexual Assault

Inadequate security may lead to sexual assault in an unsecured hotel room, a parking structure that was not patrolled by security guards, an apartment building with malfunctioning door locks, or other locations. Victims of sexual assault may experience a wide variety of physical and emotional injuries, including sexually transmitted infections, PTSD, or depression.

Apartment Break-Ins

When broken locks, unsecured doors, or other security failures allow intruders to access residential areas, thefts, robberies, or assaults may occur. A home invasion can be traumatic, and in addition to losses due to theft, a family may experience ongoing fear and emotional distress.

Contact Our Waldorf Negligent Security Attorneys

When a crime or injury has occurred because a property owner failed to provide adequate security, the team at Farmer & Klopfer can help victims take steps to address the harm they have suffered. We will work to ensure that property owners or other parties will be held responsible for their negligence. Contact our Waldorf, MD negligent security injury lawyers at 301-843-3890 to set up a free consultation.