Negligent Security
Business owners or landlords of commercial property or those who provide housing for others are required by law to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of those they invite onto their property. At Lieser Skaff, we have both prosecuted and defended landlords and business owners in cases where their invitees were assaulted or otherwise injured and security issues were implicated. Landlords and business owners can be deemed negligent if they:
- Foresaw the possibility of a crime and did not take reasonable steps to prevent the crime.
- Failed to warn those invited onto their property of prior criminal acts in the area.
- Failed to adequately correct conditions that could be considered dangerous.
Broken locks and gates, poorly lit parking lots and stairwells and unhampered criminal activity can create dangerous situations. It is the duty of a landlord or business owner to take measures to correct these unsafe conditions. Dangerous conditions are often found in parking lots and parking garages of retail establishments, office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels, bars or night clubs. Business owners can take steps to improve the safety of their property by installing lighting and video cameras and hiring security staff. These measures can help to decrease the incidence of criminal activity on the property. If you have sustained injuries due to assault or other criminal activity at a commercial location, Lieser Skaff may be able to help. We understand the hardships that are often associated with injury; medical bills and loss of wages can cause significant financial strain. We can help if you have sustained injuries due to negligent security in the Tampa area.