Douglasville Negligent Security Lawyer

If you suffer an injury on private property or at an event in Douglasville, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit based on negligent security. Negligent security cases occur when property owners and managers don’t provide guests with the necessary security services to keep them safe, resulting in harm.

At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we’ve been serving injury victims throughout Georgia for over 30 years, and our lawyers have more than 85 years of combined legal experience. We’ve handled some of the toughest injury cases and are prepared to provide you with exceptional legal service while treating you like family. 

Contact our firm today for a free consultation with a Douglasville negligent security lawyer. You’ll discover the difference our attorneys make and why our clients regularly leave us positive reviews for our service.

What Is the Definition of Negligent Security in Douglasville?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner or manager fails to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, customers, or tenants from foreseeable criminal acts. Depending on the type of property or event, this responsibility may include properly lighting hallways, stairwells, and alleyways; hiring security guards or police; having working security cameras; or making sure there are locks on doors, windows, and gates.

What Are Examples of Negligent Security?

Some common examples of negligent security in Douglasville include the following:

• Lack of Security Cameras – When security cameras aren’t present on a property, bad actors may feel emboldened to commit crimes, and it can be harder to identify them and hold them accountable after the fact.
• Unlocked Doors and Gates – Certain doors, gates, and windows should have locks to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering buildings and rooms they shouldn’t have access to, such as on school property.
• Poorly Trained Security Personnel – Security guards lacking adequate training may not check guests for weapons or allow too many guests into a building at a time, causing overcrowding.
• Inadequate Lighting – Poor lighting inside and outside a property can increase the chances of a bad actor committing a crime against a property guest.

What Are Some Types of Properties That Should Have Adequate Security to Protect Their Visitors?

Certain types of properties and locations should have more security in place to protect guests, customers, and tenants than others, including the following:

• Apartment Complexes – These buildings should be equipped with working security cameras and a front door that requires a key, ID card, or passcode to prevent strangers and non-residents from entering.
• Bars and Nightclubs – These establishments may need security guards and bouncers to keep the building from becoming overcrowded and to remove any patrons who may get too rowdy.
• Schools and Universities – Schools should make sure that the doors are locked and the buildings are only accessible to students and faculty to prevent incidents involving strangers.
• Stores and Shopping Malls – When commercial venues don’t provide sufficient security to patrol their parking areas and buildings regularly, patrons can be victimized.
• Sports Stadiums and Concert Venues – Large entertainment facilities require significant security due to the large number of people crammed in a relatively small area. This includes having security guards, cameras, and metal detectors at all entrances.

Who Can Be Held at Fault in a Douglasville Negligent Security Claim?

Several parties could be liable for your losses resulting from negligent security, depending on the circumstances of your case. In most cases, property owners or managers can be liable because it’s their responsibility to make sure their properties have the necessary security to protect guests.

Additionally, an event operator could be liable if your injury occurred at an event, such as a music festival. They are responsible for hiring security and making sure event attendees are safe while in their care.

Security companies and individual security guards may also be at fault for your injuries if they didn’t do their jobs correctly. For example, a security company could be liable if it didn’t properly train its employees, and a security guard could be liable if they let people into a venue without properly checking them for weapons, drugs, or alcohol.

What Is Necessary to Prove Fault in a Negligent Security Claim?

Negligent security cases fall under premises liability laws. A premises liability lawyer can prove fault in a negligent security case by demonstrating that the defendant owed you a duty of care, that their actions breached that duty, and that the breach caused you harm.

For example, let’s say you were injured due to overcrowding in a bar. You would have to show that the defendant was responsible for keeping you safe while you were in the bar, that they failed to do this by allowing too many people inside, and that you were injured due to the resulting overcrowding.

To prove fault, your premises liability attorney can obtain security camera footage of the incident, collect witness statements that corroborate your claims, and use your medical records to establish the veracity and extent of your injuries.

What Sort of Damages Can Be Claimed for a Negligent Security Lawsuit?

Victims of negligent security can seek money for various losses through their premises liability claims or lawsuits, such as the following:

• Medical Expenses – Compensation for past and future medical treatments, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more related to the incident
• Lost Wages – Compensation for the wages and work benefits you lost or will lose because of your injuries
• Pain and Suffering – Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced because of your injuries
• Emotional Distress – Compensation for the anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other emotional distress conditions you developed because of the incident
• Property Damage – Compensation for your damaged or stolen property caused by a lack of adequate security.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Negligent Security Claim in Georgia?

Georgia Code Section 9-3-33 states that negligent security victims have two years to file lawsuits against those responsible for their injuries. Failure to file your lawsuit within this period could result in the courts barring you from seeking recovery.

Contact a Douglasville Negligent Security Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries caused by negligent security in Georgia, contact Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., for a free consultation with one of our Douglasville premises liability attorneys. Our firm has been serving injury victims in Douglasville for over 30 years, and our lawyers have more than 85 years of combined legal experience. If you’re looking for a firm with reputation, respect, and results, look no further than us.

Visit Our Douglasville Negligent Security Accident Law Offices