Property owners (and managers and occupiers) have a duty to prevent foreseeable crimes on their property. Businesses (hotels, motels, apartment complexes, etc) in high crime areas should take reasonable precautions, such as including security systems and security gates, installing proper locks on doors and windows, surveillance and alarm systems, and sometimes even hiring security guards, to protect against violent crimes occurring on their property.
Negligent security claims are often very complex, and commonly involve:
- Forced entry
- Inadequate lighting
- Inadequate parking lot surveillance
- Negligent hotel security
- Negligent hiring
- Attacks in elevators and stairwells
- Landlord liability
- Negligent bank / ATM kiosk security
- Negligent theme park security
- Negligent college campus and dorm room security
- Negligent shopping mall security
- Negligent sport stadium security
- Negligent hospital security
- Negligent nursing home, assisted living residence security
All too often, lives are put in danger when apartment complexes ignore their tenants’ requests to make repairs on the property. If a property owner knows a lock is broken, fails to fix it, and then their tenant is raped or killed, the property owner should be held responsible. If a hotel knows a crime against their guests is likely, they should warn their guests and take measures to prevent the crime. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a crime at a motel, apartment or other business property you may have a negligent security case.