Boston Negligent Security Lawyer
Business owners throughout Massachusetts have a duty to keep their establishments reasonably safe. When a lawful entrant (a customer or person on the property legally) becomes injured, there may be grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the business owner. However, the cause of the injury must be specifically linked to the failure of the business owner to provide proper security measures. By cutting corners or simply not being aware of the law, however, many business and property owners in Boston are in violation of this duty. To find out more about your legal options, contact the Boston negligent security lawyers of Leontire and Associates, P.C. today to schedule a free consultation.
Negligent Security is Different than a Slip and Fall
While property owners are required to keep premises reasonably safe, in terms of adequate flooring, safe stairwells, and clean floor space to prevent slip and falls, negligent security is different than a slip and fall case. In negligent security cases, a third party caused the injury or theft to the victim. Common examples include:
- Muggings in dark parking lots;
- Black Friday mobs raging out of control;
- Bar fights that get out of hand when bystanders become injured; and
- Convenient store or gas station robberies and violence.
Even though the store owner or property owner did not physically mug someone or rob a customer, if it can be found that they did not take reasonable care to prevent such a mugging or robbery from happening, they will be held financially liable for your damages. Your damages may include medical bills, pain and suffering, psychological or emotional distress, lost time at work, lost earning ability due to an injury, property damage, and property theft.
Types of Negligent Security in Boston
The type and degree of security that a property or business owner is responsible for providing depends on the type of establishment in question. Frequently, we see cases where the property owner failed to provide reasonable security in the form of:
- Adequate lighting;
- Security guards;
- Security cameras;
- Locked gated entry;
- Adequate fencing;
- Failure to properly screen invitees;
- Locked entry doors;
- Locked windows;
- Locked hotel room doors;
- Failure to coordinate with law enforcement;
- Lack of panic buttons or emergency phones; and
- Lack of security or emergency plan.
Where Does Negligent Security Happen
A violent attack can happen virtually anywhere, and is not always preventable. No one wants to live in a police state that has everyone and everything on lockdown with curfew at dark, metal detectors in every store, and armed guards watching your every move. However, there does need to be reasonable care given to security measures in all public areas and places of business, such as:
- Retail stores;
- Bars and nightclubs;
- Convenience stores and gas stations;
- Stadiums;
- Schools;
- Libraries;
- Theatres;
- Grocery stores;
- Parking lots;
- Parking garages; and
- More.
Contact a Boston Negligent Security Lawyer at Once
The Boston negligent security lawyers of Leontire and Associates, P.C. are here to assist you claim damages that you are owed. For help today, reach out to us and speak to one of our dedicated legal professionals.
