The Dangers of Convenience Store Negligent Security

Negligent security is a term used to describe a property owner or manager’s failure to provide adequate security measures to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. This can include things like failing to install proper lighting in parking lots or stairwells, not hiring enough security guards, or not having security cameras in place. If someone is injured or killed as a result of negligent security, the property owner or manager can be held liable in a civil lawsuit.

Protections Convenience Stores and Gas Stations Must Provide

According to Georgia’s premises liability law O.C.G.A §51-3-1, all landowners must take reasonable action to protect invited guests and visitors from harm, and as a business that is open to the public, all customers and visitors and considered invited guests when they enter the property. Measures that property owners can take include:

• Sufficient outdoor lighting that can deter crime
• Emergency call buttons that allow customers to sound an alarm
• Working security cameras
• Properly trained guards and staff

Examples of Negligent Security

Negligent security can take many forms. Some business owners fail to properly light parking lots, leaving customers prone to being mugged or attacked. Some landlord may fail to fix a broken lock on an apartment complex gate, leading to a tenant being burglarized. In both cases, the property owner has failed to take reasonable steps to increase the safety of their customers or tenants, and as a result, someone has been harmed.

Negligent security can also occur in more public places, such as when a city fails to properly maintain its parks’ safety features, or when a mall fails to have enough security guards on duty. Managers have a duty to recognize the potential sources of danger and take reasonable action to limit it.

How Can You Determine Liability in a Negligent Security Case?

The first step in determining liability in a negligent security case is to establish that the property owner owed a duty of care to the victim. This duty arises from the relationship between the victim and the property owner. For example, the duty of care owed by a convenience store to its guests is different from the duty of care owed by a landlord to his tenants.

Once it has been established that the property owner owed a duty of care to the victim, the next step is to show that the property owner breached that duty. This can be done by showing that the property owner did not take reasonable steps to protect the victim from foreseeable harm. For example, if a property owner knows that there is a crime problem in the area and does not take steps to increase security, he may be liable if a guest is attacked on the property.

How Can a Lawyer Help You in a Negligent Security Case?

If you have been the victim of negligent security, you may have a legal claim against the property owner and be entitled to financial compensation. To prove that the property owner was negligent, you, with the help of your lawyers, must show that they knew or should have known that there was a dangerous condition on the property and failed to take reasonable steps to protect you from that danger.

The Grant Law Office can help you investigate your claim and gather the evidence you need to prove negligence. Our experienced lawyers can also help you negotiate with the property owner’s insurance company to try to reach a settlement. We will fight tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Call (404) 995-3955 to schedule an appointment today.