When you patronize a business or visit someone else’s property, you have a fair expectation that you will be kept safe. In Georgia, businesses and property owners have a legal obligation to protect their guests from unreasonable safety hazards—including criminal attacks. If you or your loved one was assaulted on another person’s premises, you may be able to hold a business or property owner liable through a negligent security claim. Here, our Atlanta negligent security lawyers provide an overview of Georgia’s negligent security laws.
Businesses and Property Owners Must Keep “Premises and Approaches” Safe
Negligent security claims fall under premises liability laws. Under Georgia law (OCGA § 51-3-1), an Atlanta property owner or property occupier can be legally liable for “damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” The responsibility to keep customers, guests, and other invitees safe extend beyond merely removing hazards. Property owners must also provide adequate security.
Negligent Security: Failure to Protect Guests from Criminal Attacks
A Georgia property owner/occupier has a duty to provide reasonable security. What constitutes “adequate” security under the law is highly contextual. It always depends on the specific circumstances of the case. As a general rule, businesses should provide security that is at least as good as the security offered by similar businesses under similar circumstances. The larger the company, the greater their duty to provide security. Some possible examples of negligent security include:
- Broken or defective locks on doors or windows;
- Poor screening at entrances/exits;
- No working security cameras;
- No trained security guards on the premises;
- Poor or non-existent lighting.
These are complex cases. Do not assume that you are unable to hold an Atlanta, GA property owner liable for negligent security measures. An experienced premises liability attorney will investigate your case and determine exactly what steps should be taken to get you the best outcome.
Injured Victims Deserve the Maximum Financial Compensation
Through a negligent security lawsuit in Georgia, you can seek money for economic and non-economic damages. Negligent property owners and big insurance companies do not make the claims process easy. At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, our Atlanta premises liability lawyers work aggressively to get people justice and the maximum damages. Through a negligent security claim in Georgia, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for:
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Other hospital/medical bills
- Lost current and future earnings;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement or disability; and
- Wrongful death.
Call Our Experienced Negligent Security Attorneys Today
At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, our Atlanta negligent security attorneys have the skills and legal expertise to represent victims of negligent security. If you or your loved one was injured because a business/property owner failed to provide adequate security, we are here to help. Contact us now for a no-cost, no-obligation review of your case. From our Atlanta office, our firm represents injured victims throughout Georgia, including in Cobb County, Fulton County, and DeKalb County.