Baltimore Negligent Security Attorney

Sustaining an injury after a night out at a restaurant or a friend’s house in Baltimore is not ideal. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may even find yourself in need of a Baltimore negligent security lawyer.

Is negligent security a legal concept you have not heard of before? The name of the concept itself should clue you to its significance, but you may still have some questions. It is time to clear up any confusion so you can determine if negligent security applies to your situation.

You may be in line to receive compensation after getting injured on someone else’s property. Read on to find out if you will require the services of a negligent security attorney in Baltimore.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security focuses on the duty of property owners to keep their customers or visitors safe. When you visit an establishment of some kind, you can assume that the property owner has taken appropriate measures to keep you safe during your time there. If the property owner has not taken the appropriate measures to ensure your safety, they could receive a lawsuit.

The concept of negligent security is connected to premises liability law. Property owners become exposed to premises liability claims if they cannot keep their properties safe. The property in question could be deemed unsafe due to wet floors, electrical problems, or broken staircases.

However, if the property is unsafe because it failed to provide visitors with enough security, then you are getting into negligent security territory. Make sure you partner with an experienced Baltimore negligent security lawyer if you are planning to file a lawsuit, which cites that reason.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Negligent Security?

It is important to note that negligent security can apply to a wide variety of cases. You can hold any property owner who fails to provide adequate security for their visitors liable for negligent security.

Owners of commercial establishments can receive negligent security lawsuits. You can serve anyone who owns a commercial property with this kind of lawsuit, but those who run entertainment venues can be especially vulnerable.

Per the Insurance Information Institute, you can even sue the owner of a residential property for negligent security. You can sue a private property owner if you believe their negligence is why you are currently injured.

You should always be mindful of how safe an establishment is because there might be gaps in its security that could leave you vulnerable to injury. Consult with a negligent security attorney n Baltimore if you want some guidance about the legal actions you could take.

What Are Examples of Negligent Security?

At this point, you have a good idea of what negligent security is all about. Still, you may want some more concrete examples that you can wrap your head around. With that in mind, let’s take this opportunity to highlight those examples and develop a deeper understanding of negligent security in the process.

Absence of a Functioning Security System

Any commercial property owner who fails to provide a functioning security system could receive a negligent security lawsuit. For instance, the commercial property’s security cameras should be functional at all times because they can help prevent potential trouble.

According to Dixon Security, those cameras can last for about ten years, but they should replace their recording implements after five. If the property owner failed to keep their security cameras in working condition, you should hold them responsible for what happened to you.

Other features of security systems such as alarms and locks should also be working properly. A property owner is negligent if they do not take care of those elements of their security system. 

Poor Lighting

Property owners can also be liable for negligent security if they did not provide enough lighting. How does that fit into the category of negligent security, you ask? Well, consider for a second how dangerous certain places can be if they remain shrouded in darkness.

Criminals could feel emboldened to rob or assault someone because they are aided by the cover of darkness. You may not even know someone is approaching you because of how dark it is. The property owner should know better than that. Do not shy away from suing them and getting the compensation you deserve.

Unqualified Security Personnel

We all know that certain venues can get pretty chaotic from time to time. Nightclubs and bars are good examples of that. That is why nightclubs and bar owners need to hire people who can keep things in order. Unfortunately, not everyone who owns a bar or nightclub does that.

To cut costs, the owner of a bar or nightclub may hire an inexperienced bouncer. When trouble arises, that inexperienced bouncer may instinctively attack someone instead of trying to calm things down. You could sue the bouncer and the owner of the establishment if you were the one on the receiving end of that attack.

Inadequate Security Personnel

A property owner not hiring experienced security personnel to protect their customers can be deemed negligent. A property owner who does not hire enough security personnel is as negligent or, even more, so.

One bouncer will have a tough time trying to keep things under control when a fight breaks out inside a bar. Hire multiple bouncers instead so they can control the situation better.

Hiring the right number of security guards is also important if you own a store. You want to keep all exits and entrances guarded. Do not hesitate to invest in security personnel because they can keep you protected in many ways.

When you visit a friend’s house or a commercial establishment, it is reasonable for you to expect that those properties are safe. If you were injured during your visit and the negligence of the property owner played a role in that happening, you could sue for compensation.

How a Negligent Security Lawyer Can Help You

Negligent security lawsuits are known for being especially complex, but do not let that stop you from pursuing legal action. With the right personal injury lawyer on your side, you can still hold a property owner accountable for what happened to you.

• Prove That the Property Owner Failed to Provide Adequate Security: You expect basic features such as locks and lights for parking lots in commercial establishments. If those features were missing at the time of your attack, your lawyer would find that out.
• Handle Negotiations with the Property Owner or Insurer: Many Baltimore, MD and Towson property owners want nothing to do with negligent security lawsuits. They may prefer settling your lawsuit to make this whole thing go away. Make sure your attorney is present for those negotiations so they can land you a favorable settlement.
• Represent You in Court: The complex nature of negligent security cases can make property owners more confident in avoiding liability. However, if they take the case to court, you should be ready to fight by enlisting the help of an experienced lawyer.

Negligent Security Laws in Maryland

Learning more about negligent security laws in Maryland can tell you how you should approach your case moving forward. So continue below to understand those laws better.

Duty of Care

You may be familiar with the concept of duty of care concerning big businesses. However, a duty of care element also affects negligent security cases. Negligent security cases involve plaintiffs whom someone at a commercial property assaulted. The negligent security claim could stem from the property owner failing to install security features that could have prevented the assault. In addition, you can accuse the property owner of not exercising their duty of care to keep you safe.

Contributory Negligence

Maryland follows the principle of contributory negligence, which will affect the compensation you can receive in your negligent security case. Remember that they can bar you from recovering damages if you are even 1% responsible for what happened. Work closely with a negligent security lawyer so they can prove that your actions had nothing to do with the accident.

Statute of Limitations

You must act quickly to pursue a negligent security lawsuit in Maryland. The statute of limitations for these cases is only three years, so you should hire an attorney as soon as possible.

Common Injuries Sustained from Negligent Security Accidents

Negligent security accidents can be life-altering. The injuries you may sustain following that assault can impact you for the rest of your life. Expect to see lacerations and bruises on your body following the assault. You may break a few bones if the attacker catches you off guard. Injuries affecting your organs are also fairly common during negligent security accidents.

You may also sustain a head injury during the attack. The effects of a concussion can linger for a long time. In some ways, they are the worst injuries that could result from an accident such as this.

Private Property vs. Public Property

Thus far, we have mentioned different factors that can affect the outcome of a negligent security lawsuit. However, there is still one major factor that we have yet to discuss in great detail. That factor is none other than the location of your accident.

More specifically, how you and your attorney manage the lawsuit must change based on whether the accident occurred on private or public property.

Negligent Security Claims Involving Private Property

They handle negligent security claims that involve private property, like typical premises liability claims. The defendant in your lawsuit will be the property owner, and you or your Baltimore inadequate security lawyer will have three years to present your case if you want the courts to recognize it. Your goal is to prove that the property owner failed to provide you with adequate security. If you can solidify that claim, your lawsuit will succeed.

Negligent Security Claims Involving Public Property

Compared to cases that involve private property, the ones that take place on public property are way more complicated. Filing a personal injury claim against the government takes more steps. You will need to file a notice before formally taking legal action. Remember, do that quickly because you may lose your right to sue otherwise.

Partnering with a lawyer is necessary if you want to sue the government for negligent security. They can get the necessary documents and file them on time to ensure the courts accept your case.

How Much Is My Negligent Security Claim Worth?

Pursuing a negligent security claim can be a troublesome endeavor. That said, pursuing that claim will still be worth it for you. The compensation you receive from your lawsuit can help you pay numerous bills. It may also give you a path forward following your accident.

Economic Damages: You will receive economic damages from your negligent security lawsuit if you win your case. These damages will cover your medical bills, damaged property, and any other quantifiable losses.

Non-Economic Damages: As the plaintiff in a negligent security case, you may also be eligible to receive non-economic damages. Non-economic damages are supposed to compensate you for any unquantifiable losses. Pain and suffering is a type of unquantifiable loss. The non-economic damages should compensate you for the lingering pain you are experiencing and the distress it is causing you. The courts use specific formulas to calculate the non-economic damages in personal injury cases. The particular court in Baltimore County that handles your case will determine the formula to use. You can ask your negligent security attorney to handle the calculations in your case.

Experienced Baltimore Attorney

Reach out to us at Leppler Injury Law if you need a Baltimore negligent security lawyer. We will fight on your behalf and make sure that you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours.

Some of the locations we serve in Baltimore County include: Baltimore, Towson, Lutherville-Timonium, Owings Mills, Parkville, Pikesville, Rosedale, Dundalk, Cockeysville, and more.

Additional Resources

Convenience Store Gas Station Crime in Baltimore
Negligent Security vs Premises Liability
Security Guard Legislation in Baltimore