Negligent Security Lawyers in Chino Hills Representing Victims of Assault
When you go out for a night on the town to a club, bar, or restaurant, the last thing you expect is to be injured, mugged, or assaulted. Unfortunately, patrons of local establishments such as these are often injured when these businesses fail to provide adequate security.
We have the vast experience necessary in multiple practice areas to handle all types of negligent security claims, including bar fights, muggings, sexual assault, and aggressive bouncers.
Attorney Eric Paris of The Paris Law Firm has a proven track record in representing people who have been injured at clubs, bars, taprooms, restaurants, music venues, and other establishments. Our legal team has won financial compensation for personal injury clients who were assaulted in fights, mugged, or sexually assaulted because the property owners did not provide adequate security.
Injuries from negligent security cases can range from sprains, strains, and bruises to traumatic brain injury, lacerations, gunshot wounds, and sexual assault. In addition, victims of assault may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other psychological syndromes after the assault.
Due to the complexities surrounding negligent security claims, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer from Southern CA who has the skill necessary to fight for justice for you. Our attorneys in the Chino Hills area of Southern California are committed to obtaining a financial settlement that is in your best interest.
What is Negligent Security?
Property owners and support staff have a legal obligation to keep properties safe and free from dangerous conditions. This includes taking preventative measures in order to prevent criminal acts perpetrated by third parties.
As a result, if you were assaulted or harmed due to the lack of preventative measures and general security, as a victim, you may be eligible to file a negligent security claim. In addition, if other similar violent crimes have happened on the property in the past but the property owner has not taken action to prevent such future occurrences, then they may be held liable.
Examples of negligent security include the following:
- Lack of adequate security personnel
- Incompetent or inadequately trained security personnel
- Lack of proper lighting
- Lack of security cameras
- Inadequate security patrols
- Failure to protect against foreseeable harm
- Lack of security alarms
- Inadequate emergency exits
- Overzealous security guards or bouncers
- Lack of proper locks on windows, doors, and gates
What is Failure to Protect Against Criminal Acts?
According to California law, property owners are negligent if they fail to take reasonable steps to secure their property against foreseeable criminal acts by third parties. Property owners may be obligated to provide enhanced security if there has been a history of assaults, muggings, or fights in the establishment or the surrounding area. The threat of criminal activity in these cases could be considered foreseeable.
Each case is different and must be evaluated individually. Negligent security cases are not easy to win. Success requires an in-depth understanding of California premises liability law, a knowledge of how to build a case, and the resources to achieve the best possible results.
The Paris Firm has a history of achieving great verdicts and settlements for clients in negligent security claims. If you or a member of your family was assaulted, mugged, or otherwise injured in a bar, restaurant, or nightclub, please call (909) 325-6185 or contact us online.
What are Negligent Security Claims?
If you have been injured in a criminal attack or assault on someone else’s property or at work, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more from the property or business owner or the entity in control of the property. Property and business owners have a duty to provide adequate protection from criminal attacks. Although you may have a good personal injury case against the person who attacked you, your chances of actually collecting the money are much better when you pursue a negligent security lawsuit.
There are four elements of negligent security which include the following:
Duty: This element is typically considered to be the obligation of reasonable care in preventing negligent security injuries.
Breach: This is the actual wrongful conduct that caused the injuries. In the case of negligent security, it could be failing to provide the needed amount of security at a nightclub, especially near closing time when a great amount of alcohol has been consumed, for example.
Causation: Causation is proof that the breach actually caused your injuries. Going back to the nightclub example, if the lack of security caused you to be injured, you can prove causation.
Damages: These are both economic and non-economic damages which include medical bills or other medical care expenses such as rehabilitation and therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you feel that you are a victim of negligent security, you need to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Often evidence disappears, witnesses can be difficult to find, and memories fade. Our experienced attorneys have the skill and professionalism needed to pursue litigation for your case. Not every attorney is prepared to take a case to court, but we are. Do not trust your future with an inexperienced attorney.
On What Type of Properties Does Negligent Security Law Apply?
The type of property where your assault occurs makes a difference in whether or not you have a case and, if so, how strong your case is. The state or jurisdiction where the attack occurred also makes a difference, as premises liability laws vary across the country. In general, you may be able to sue for your injuries if you were attacked on one of the following types of properties:
- Hotel or motel
- Casino
- Restaurant
- Bar or nightclub
- Movie theater
- Bank or ATM
- Convenience store or gas station
- Parking lot or parking garage
- Amusement or theme park
- School or university
- Hospital
- Nursing home
- Office building
- Retail store
- Shopping mall
- Government building
- Apartment or condominium complex
- RV park
- Daycare center
- Sports or event stadium
- Public park
- Museum
- Concert hall
What is Foreseeability?
Under California law, foreseeability is the ability to anticipate the results of an action, such as damage or injuries that could result if there is a breach of contract or negligence. Foreseeability is vital in a personal injury claim due to the fact that it acts as a starting point for establishing a defendant’s liability.
Most courts in California agree that if a defendant in a negligent security case could not under reasonable circumstances foresee dangerous conditions, then they cannot legally be held liable for the injuries that result from it.
Foreseeability is a key element in negligent security cases. The level and type of security that a property or business owner has a duty to provide are directly related to the likelihood that a crime would occur on the property. Many factors play a role in foreseeability.
Certain types of businesses are automatically considered high risk and have specific standard security measures that should be in place even if they are in a low-crime area and have no history of criminal attacks at the location. ATMs, banks, hotels, and motels fall into this category.
Other factors that support foreseeability include:
- Located in a high-crime area
- A recent uptick in crime in the area
- A history of criminal activity on the property, even if it is not recent
- Knowledge of a specific risk factor such as a disgruntled worker or customer or a possible domestic violence situation involving an employee
- Direct threats
If you have been injured due to negligent security in any of these types of areas in Chino Hills, CA, you need to contact our attorneys. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. The law in California permits those who have been injured by conditions resulting from negligent security to file a lawsuit for damages.
How Can I Prove a Negligent Security Claim?
If you have been injured due to a property owner or business not providing an appropriate amount of security, there are certain factors that must be proven in order for you to proceed with a negligent security lawsuit. They are as follows:
- You were legally on the property
- Your injuries were caused by a third party while on the property
The property owner should have had a reasonable idea as to the potential risks that visitors to their property could potentially experience and subsequently failed to take precautions to prevent harm or injury.
When a property owner fails to properly secure their business or other premises, they are allowing their patron and others to experience potentially dangerous conditions. Some examples include the following:
- Businesses in high-crime areas should have a reasonable expectation that visitors may be at an elevated risk of experiencing an armed robbery.
- An establishment that serves alcohol with a reputation of unruly customers should be aware that patrons may be at a high risk of assault and take reasonable steps to ensure their safety.
The legal argument could be made in court that your injuries would not have happened if the property owner had provided adequate security.
An experienced premises liability attorney can help you prove that there was a duty to prevent or try harder to prohibit the assault that caused your injuries. However, you need to act quickly to protect your legal rights and preserve vital evidence in your case. Please call The Paris Law Firm at (909) 325-6185 or contact us online.
Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help With a Negligent Security Claim?
The Paris Law Firm lawyers are proud to serve the Chino Hills area of California. As injury lawyers, we have been assisting victims of negligent security for years.
Our main goal is to assist our injury victims in being able to receive fair compensation for their injuries. Frequently, we find that the only way to hold the responsible parties accountable is by filing a personal injury claim based on the fact the property owner did not provide the security necessary to keep patrons or other legal visitors safe from harm. Failing to do constitutes negligence on the part of the property owner.
If you have been injured due to negligence and lack of security, you need to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. It is vital that you hire an attorney with the knowledge and qualifications necessary to handle a negligent security lawsuit. Not all personal injury lawyers have experience in litigation or having to try a case in court.
A lawyer from our firm will consult with you about your case. Our law firm also represents clients who have been injured in apartment buildings, hotels, parking lots and garages, sporting event locations, malls, ATMs, and other locations, due to inadequate security.
From our offices in Chino Hills, we represent clients injured by negligent security throughout all of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Orange County. Contact our law office by calling (909) 325-6185 to schedule a free initial consultation. We will be happy to review your case and help make a determination on how to best proceed with your case. We understand what a troubling time this must be for you. We look forward to assisting you in receiving justice for your injuries.