When tragedy strikes in the form of an assault or other criminal act, the aftermath can be devastating for an injured person. Law enforcement agencies may seek criminal charges against a perpetrator, but victims should know they may have additional legal recourse to seek justice and compensation in Georgia.
Seeking financial remedies after an assault
Victims of crimes shouldn’t overlook the potential for civil action. If an assault or incident happened on someone else’s property, and the property owner neglected proper security measures, the victim might have grounds to file a lawsuit for negligent security. This civil suit is separate from any criminal charges and can provide a means for victims to recover damages for their suffering.
For instance, a person filing a civil claim may be able to collect compensation for medical bills, ongoing therapy, lost wages and emotional distress from a negligent property owner.
What does negligent security look like?
Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe, but that does not always happen. Negligence can manifest in several ways, including:
- Ignoring local crime rates when setting security measures
- Failing to install adequate lighting in parking lots and walkways
- Not maintaining or repairing broken locks, gates or fences
- Overlooking the need for security personnel in high-risk areas
- Lacking functional security cameras in strategic locations
These and other oversights can leave patrons vulnerable and contribute to a hazardous environment, laying the groundwork for potential negligent security claims.
Getting help to make a case
For a successful negligent security claim, the victim must show that the property owner failed to provide reasonable care, leading to foreseeable harm. This process can be complex, as not every criminal act is the fault of a property owner. For instance, a property owner might argue that they did take reasonable steps to keep their property safe or did not know about dangerous conditions. Thus, seeking the guidance of an attorney can be crucial.
People can suffer physically, mentally and financially long after they are the victim of a crime in Georgia. While money and lawsuits cannot erase these damages, they can hold all appropriate parties accountable and help victims collect the compensation they need to move forward.