Businesses and property owners in California have a responsibility to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition for customers and other guests. This duty requires businesses and property owners to take proper security precautions to protect people from criminal attacks by third parties. If they fail to put adequate security measures in place, a business or property owner may be liable through a type of legal action called a negligent security claim. Here, our Sacramento personal injury lawyer discusses the key things to know about negligent security in California.
Defining Negligent Security: Know the Law in California
Under California’s premises liability laws, businesses and property owners have a responsibility to protect guests from threats posed by certain third parties—including criminal attackers.
As stated in the Judicial Council of California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI NO. 1005), businesses and property owners whose premises are open to the public have a duty to take reasonable, proactive measures to protect customers and other guests “from another person’s criminal conduct.”
A business or property owner in Sacramento that fails to take adequate safety precautions can be held liable for injuries caused by a third-party criminal attack if they should have been able to “reasonably anticipate” the risk.
Negligent Security is a Case-By-Case Matter
Negligent security personal injury claims are always assessed on a case-by-case basis. What constitutes “proper security” depends on the nature and size of the business. These cases always required a comprehensive investigation by an experienced Sacramento, CA premises liability attorney. Some common examples of negligent security include:
- A hotel or motel not installing working locks on doors or windows;
- An apartment building not having proper screening at entrances;
- A large venue failing to hire trained security personnel; and
- Lack of adequate lighting in parking lots and other exterior areas.
Recovering Full and Fair Financial Compensation from a Sacramento Business or Property
Most negligent security claims are handled by commercial insurance companies. In California, injured victims have the right to seek economic and non-economic damages—but the insurers do not make the claims process easy. Our Sacramento personal injury lawyer is committed to helping injured victims maximize their settlement or verdict. Through a negligent security claim, you may be entitled to recover financial support for:
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Health care bills and other medical costs;
- Lost wages and loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Permanent disfigurement or disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Contact Our Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney Today
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Sacramento personal injury lawyer fights aggressively to help victims and families secure justice and compensation. If you have any specific questions or concerns about negligent security claims, we are here to help. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation review of your case. From our Sacramento office, we represent injured victims throughout the region, including in Stockton, Sutter Creek, Lodi, Galt, Manteca, Elk Grove, Folsom, and Roseville.