Cleveland Negligent Security Lawyer

Understanding Negligent Security and Your Legal Rights

When you enter a business, hotel, apartment complex, or other property, you expect to be safe. Unfortunately, property owners and managers sometimes fail to provide adequate security, putting visitors and tenants at risk. If you or a loved one have been injured due to poor security measures in Cleveland, OH, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP can help. Our experienced negligent security lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent property owners accountable and pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Call Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP today at (216) 600-0114 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our negligent security attorney in Cleveland!

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security occurs when property owners or managers fail to implement adequate measures to protect against foreseeable criminal activity. Legally, property owners must maintain a safe environment for visitors, tenants, and customers.

Security measures are designed to prevent criminal activity and ensure the safety of visitors, tenants, and employees. Common forms of security include:

• Security Guards: Trained personnel who patrol premises, monitor entrances, and respond to emergencies.
• Surveillance Cameras: Video monitoring systems that deter crime and provide evidence if an incident occurs.
• Access Control Systems: Keycards, locked doors, and other mechanisms to restrict entry to authorized individuals.
• Lighting: Proper lighting in parking lots, hallways, and entrances can deter criminal activity.
• Alarm Systems: Burglar alarms and panic buttons that alert authorities to criminal activity.

Failing to implement these or other reasonable security measures can create dangerous conditions for visitors and tenants, potentially leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

When is Security Required?

Property owners are legally required to provide a reasonable level of security when they know—or should reasonably know—that there is a risk of harm. Security is particularly expected in locations such as:

• Hotels and Motels: Especially in areas with high crime rates or where guests may encounter strangers late at night.
• Apartment Complexes: Landlords have a duty to protect tenants from foreseeable criminal activity, such as assaults or break-ins.
• Bars and Nightclubs: Where alcohol consumption can increase the risk of fights and assaults.
• Shopping Centers and Parking Lots: Areas that attract large crowds or where isolated parking lots create opportunities for crime.
• Hospitals and Clinics: Medical facilities must ensure patient and visitor safety, including protection from violent acts.

Whether security is required depends on the property type, location, past incidents, and general risk factors. A Cleveland negligent security lawyer can help determine whether a property owner failed in their legal obligations.

Common Examples of Inadequate Security

Negligent security can take many forms. Some of the most common examples include:

• Lack of sufficient lighting in parking lots, stairwells, or entrances.
• Missing, non-functional, or poorly monitored surveillance cameras.
• Untrained or absent security personnel.
• Failure to implement keycard or lock systems in vulnerable areas.
• Ignoring past incidents of crime on the property or failing to warn tenants and visitors.
• Allowing uncontrolled access to potentially dangerous areas.

Even a single oversight can result in serious injury or death. If you’ve been harmed due to inadequate security, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

Who is Liable for Negligent Security?

Liability for negligent security generally falls on the property owner, manager, or another party responsible for maintaining safety. This may include:

• Landlords of residential or commercial properties.
• Business owners or managers of hotels, bars, nightclubs, or retail stores.
• Event organizers or facility managers.
• Security companies or contracted personnel if they fail to perform their duties properly.

In some cases, multiple parties may share liability, especially if both the property owner and a third-party security provider failed to meet their obligations.

Recovering Compensation

Victims of negligent security incidents can seek various forms of compensation to recover from the harm they’ve experienced. Common damages awarded in such claims include:

• Medical Costs: Covers immediate and ongoing medical treatment required due to injuries sustained in the criminal incident.
• Lost Earnings: If victims cannot work due to injuries, they may claim compensation for lost wages during recovery.
• Pain and Suffering: Payment for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the attack.
• Emotional Distress: Long-term psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that may result from the traumatic event.
• Property Loss or Damage: Victims can seek compensation if personal belongings were stolen or damaged during the crime.
• Loss of Consortium: If your injuries have impacted your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be eligible to seek compensation for the loss of companionship.

These damages are meant to compensate victims for the financial, physical, and emotional toll of the incident.

Negligent Security FAQs

Q: How do I prove negligent security?

A: You must demonstrate that the property owner or manager had a duty to provide security, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused your injury. Evidence may include police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert testimony.

Q: Is every injury on a property considered negligent security?

A: No. The injury must result from inadequate or negligent security measures, not from unforeseen accidents that the property owner could not reasonably prevent.

Q: How long do I have to file a claim in Ohio?

A: Ohio’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury, but certain circumstances may affect this timeline.

Q: Can I sue if the crime was committed by a third party?

A: Yes. Property owners can be held liable if they failed to provide reasonable security to prevent foreseeable crimes, even if a third party committed the act.

Q: Should I handle this case alone or hire a lawyer?

A: A skilled Cleveland negligent security lawyer can navigate complex legal requirements, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Contact Our Cleveland Negligent Security Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligent security, taking legal action can provide justice and financial compensation for the harm suffered. An experienced negligent security lawyer can investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, gather evidence, and work to hold the liable party accountable.

Premises liability cases, including negligent security, require a thorough understanding of the law and an ability to navigate complex legal procedures. By working with our negligent security attorney in Cleveland, victims can ensure that their rights are protected and that they pursue the full compensation range.

Contact our Cleveland negligent security lawyer today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how to move forward with your case!