Examples of negligent security and how to prove it

If someone is a victim of a crime on someone else’s property, it may be a case of negligent security.

Because negligent security falls in the premises liability category, it requires certain elements of proof that are common to that legal area.

Ways negligent security can cause injuries

Courthouse News Service reports on an example of negligent security. A man is suing a storage unit company because he claims the company did not have adequate safety measures in place to monitor nighttime visitors, and this led to his kidnapping and torture.

In other examples, a hotel located in a shadier area of town does not have proper lighting or security cameras installed, even though the owner knows the neighborhood is prone to crime. A guest is a victim of a mugging in the parking lot and receives multiple injuries.

An apartment complex has numerous faulty door locks. Despite complaints from tenants, the management has not taken steps to fix them. An angry ex-boyfriend of a tenant is able to kick down the door of her apartment and attack her.

Elements to prove negligent security

According to FindLaw, receiving an injury on the premises does not warrant a negligence claim. The plaintiff must be able to prove that the property owner had a legal duty to provide security on the premises but did not do so. It must be evident that a reasonable person would have known that the lack of security caused a risk of harm to people on the property. The plaintiff must also prove that there is an injury and the lack of security is the direct cause of it.

Common ways companies provide adequate security include installing security cameras, fixing dysfunctional cameras, improving lighting, hiring security, installing better locks and requiring guests to show IDs for entry.