Pennsylvania Negligent Security Attorney

Personal Injury Law Firm With 130+ Years of Experience

Were you injured by the acts of a criminal offender while on someone else's property, like in a bar or walking through your housing complex? Due to Pennsylvania’s premises liability rules, the manager or owner of that property might be responsible for the harm you suffered due to failing to protect you from crimes like assault, battery, and robbery.

Explore your options after you were harmed by a criminal act in Pennsylvania by reaching out to Metzger Wickersham. Our negligent security lawyers offer free case evaluations for prospective clients who want to know more about their options. During an initial meeting, we can review your situation, determine if you have the grounds to start a lawsuit, and help you with the next steps if you do.

Call (888) 286-2850 to ask about our legal services today.

What is Negligent Security?

Negligent security refers to the failure of property owners or managers to implement adequate security measures based on given or expected rates of crime, which can result in guests, visitors, workers, and others being harmed by criminal acts on their premises. When a property owner neglects to create a safe environment by ignoring security protocols, they may be held liable for any resulting injuries. Victims of such criminal acts may be able to file a personal injury claim, arguing that their injuries were foreseeable and preventable had the property owner taken reasonable steps to ensure safety.

Key elements in these claims include demonstrating that the property owner:

• Had a duty to ensure the plaintiff’s safety;
• Breached this duty through inadequate security; and,
• Allowed the plaintiff to be injured or targeted by crime due to that breach.

Our Pennsylvania negligent attorneys are here to examine the details of your case and determine if the important key elements are present.

Examples of Negligent Security

Common forms of negligent security that lead to lawsuits are:

• Insufficient security personnel: When there aren't enough security staff or the personnel are poorly trained, it increases the risk of criminal activities going unnoticed or unmitigated. Insufficient security personnel may inadvertently put guests, visitors, residents, and others at risk of harm from criminal offenders, especially if the criminal offenders know that there are not enough security staff members on the premises.
• Lack of security cameras: The absence of surveillance cameras can lead to undetected crimes, as there is no footage to deter or document criminal behavior. This failure can result in the property owner being liable for any incidents that occur, especially if the property owner reasonably should have known that security cameras in specific locations could have greatly deterred crime.
• Lack of entrance/exit control: Allowing unauthorized people onto a property due to poor monitoring of entrances and exits can result in security breaches, leading to potential harm to welcomed visitors. Certain property owners also have a responsibility to put security checkpoints at entrances and exits. For example, a music venue should check people for dangerous weapons before allowing them to enter the premises.
• Overcapacity: Hosting more people than a property, building, or venue can safely accommodate can lead to dangerous situations, such as trampling during emergencies. Property owners could face legal action if injuries occur because they neglected to adhere to capacity limits, showing a disregard for the safety and well-being of their patrons.

Different Security Expectations for Different Locations

Security expectations differ significantly based on the specific context and characteristics of a location. For example, a minimally-staffed 24-hour convenience store situated in a high-crime area inherently faces greater security challenges than a fully-staffed grocery store operating during normal hours in a low-crime neighborhood. The higher crime rates and continuous operation of the convenience store necessitate enhanced security measures, such as hiring additional security personnel and installing surveillance systems and security bars on windows. On the other hand, the grocery store might focus on maintaining regular security protocols that align with its lower-risk profile.

The expected security needs of the defendant’s property in your negligent security claim will make a significant difference in the approach to building your case. Rather than sorting through these details and their potential impacts on your own, though, let our legal team handle it. We can use our decades of collective legal experience to prepare your case on your behalf. 

Pursue Compensation with Our Help – Call Now

The process of preparing, filing, and pursuing a negligent security claim is among the most complex of all types of injury claims. To get all the guidance and support you need – and to allow you to stay focused on your health and recovery – come to Metzger Wickersham. Our attorneys can help with every part of the claims process, and we know how to fight for the most compensation possible based on your losses. Leave everything up to us.

Get your case started today. Call (888) 286-2850 and ask for a free case review.