Understanding Alabama Negligent Security Claims

Negligent security is a type of personal injury claim that is brought when a business owner or property owner allegedly fails to make the property safe enough for people who are legally on the property. These types of cases can be complex in terms of taking them to trial, but with the right evidence and legal help on your side, it is quite possible to hold a negligent owner accountable.

If you have been injured and you believe that a lack of security played a role in causing you harm, the Birmingham injury attorneys from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk can help you get the compensation you deserve. The little details matter in this type of case, and a knowledgeable attorney knows how to handle them to your advantage.

Premises Liability vs Negligent Security

The concept of negligent security, also called inadequate security, hinges on the legal fact that a property or business owner has a duty to make their property as safe as possible for visitors. While not every location can be made 100 percent safe, an owner has an obligation to try to correct dangers (or clearly warn about those they cannot control). This concept is known as premises liability.

A property owner has an obligation to make their property as safe as possible – but negligent security claims deal with whether or not a property owner has an obligation to protect their guests from the acts of third parties – the most common scenario is when a guest on a property becomes the victim of violent crime. In general, Alabama law says yes, but that duty must be clarified in each situation.

Foreseeability Counts

The main questions that must be answered in a case involving negligent security are twofold: the level of danger in the area, and the steps the owner took to attempt to mitigate it. This will differ from case to case – for example, a hotel in a low-crime area will require different security needs than a nightclub in a high-crime area. Also, if there have been reports of violent crime in the area, the standard for negligence will be stricter than if the area is relatively crime-free.

What this all means for an injured plaintiff is that in order to have a chance to recover money damages, their injuries must have been foreseeable due to the lack of security provided by the defendant. No one can be held liable for an injury they could not see coming, so to speak – but if a defendant could reasonably assume their laxity could lead to injury, they may wind up liable for a plaintiff’s injuries.

We Are Here To Help

Being injured in a place where you expect to be safe can be a frightening experience. If this has happened to you in Alabama, the Birmingham negligent security attorneys from Goldasich, Vick & Fulk are here to help. We can guide you through the process of seeking compensation for what you have been through. Call our office today at (205) 731-2566 to schedule a consultation.