Premises Liability: Injuries from Negligent Security
Personal injury attorneys serving clients in Nashville, Hendersonville and Knoxville, Tennessee and beyond
When their property is open to the public, property owners of places such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels and resorts owe a duty of care to their patrons to provide a safe environment in which they can enjoy their food and entertainment. Negligent security refers to incidents and accidents that occur because a property owner has failed to take the necessary steps to make sure that the visitors to their property are safe.
The Rocky McElhaney Law Firm is here to make sure that property owners are held accountable for injuries their patrons suffer while on their premises due to negligent security. From offices in Nashville, Hendersonville and Knoxville, our legal team goes above and beyond to help ensure that you are awarded fair compensation for your losses and injuries.
Places where negligent security can create a potential problem
Inadequate or negligent security can happen in places such as the following:
- Casinos
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Restaurants
- Spas
- Malls and shopping centers
- Banks and ATMs
- Bars
- Private clubs
- Apartment buildings
- Condominium complexes
- Amusement parks
- University campus/dormitories
- Workplace
What comprises adequate security?
The definition of adequate security will vary depending on the location of the property. In certain neighborhood where violent crime is high, property owners can be expected to provide security measures such as:
- Installing video cameras
- Adequate lighting in parking lots and walkways
- Secure door locks
- Building high fences around areas that are unsafe to walk
- Restricting building access through a security guard
- Running background checks on employees and tenants
- Establishing security policies and procedures and training employees to adhere to them
Security measures must also be taken to protect people even when no violence has taken place. If the measures to ensure patrons’ safety and security are inadequate, people are more likely to fall or hurt themselves in some way.
Holding the property owner accountable
Acts of violence that can occur at night clubs, bars and restaurants and even in the parking lots outside of these establishments can be linked to inadequate security on their premises. Not only are property owners responsible to provide an environment that is as free from hazards as possible because they are responsible for any injuries that their patrons might suffer as a result of such a hazard.
When you suffer a violent attack on private premises that left you with severe injuries, or if you are injured because of inadequate lighting or poorly maintained spaces, you may have options available to you that you are unaware of in order to get compensation for what you have gone through. You may be able to take legal action against the property owner in the form of a premises liability lawsuit. If you prevail, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses including lost income, pain and suffering and any medical expenses you have incurred because of the incident.
Successful verdicts & settlements in premises liability
- $500,000 TRIAL JUDGMENT for 40-year-old Maryville, Blount County man who was severely injured when he was intentionally hit by a construction co-worker with a concrete rake and knocked into a 6 foot deep ditch. The criminal attack resulted in a conviction for aggravated assault. Rocky McElhaney Law Firm’s client underwent emergency surgery for a broken elbow and torn ligaments, missed half a year of work and has a scar on his arm. The judgment was comprised of $250,000 to compensate for the harms and losses caused by the injury and $250,000 for punitive damages to punish the criminal and deter others from intentionally hurting people.
- $250,000 TRIAL VERDICT for young female who was assaulted with a baseball bat in the parking lot at work by two men and two women engaged in a civil conspiracy against the young lady. Compensation was awarded for physical injuries, emotional distress, pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages.
- $55,000 SETTLEMENT for a 3-year old who suffered a spiral fracture of his left leg at a day care as he tried to climb over stacked railroad ties which were negligently placed in an area where small children played. Additionally, the daycare failed to comply with state mandated teacher/child ratios which lead to poor supervision of the children. After being in a spica body cast for a month or so, the bone healed and the little boy is not expected to have any long-lasting effects from the fracture.
At the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm, we are dedicated to taking on the legal fight on behalf of our clients. We are strong advocates for your interests and we focus all of our efforts into making sure that negligent property owners are held accountable when you have been injured because they did not take your safety and security seriously.
Aggressive premises liability lawyers fighting for your rights
Call the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm today at 888-619-4765 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Nashville, Hendersonville or Knoxville attorneys to discuss your case. We are here to battle for justice on your behalf. When you need a fighter in your corner, you can trust Rocky McElhaney Law Firm to fight for you.