The average settlement for negligent security varies widely based on the severity of your injuries, as well as on how badly the establishment you were injured at deviated from a reasonable standard of care. The skilled legal team at Brown & Crouppen is here to make sure you know your full legal rights and options. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Average Settlements by Business Type
Average negligent security settlements depend heavily on the circumstances of your case. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to predict precisely how much your case may be worth. Further, it is impossible to guarantee.
That said, there are two key factors that will go a long way in determining the value of your claim. First, the extent and severity of your injuries and losses will set the baseline value. Second, the degree to which the at-fault party deviated from their duty to keep their premises safe will also play a significant role in your final settlement.
Our attorneys can evaluate these factors more carefully after we take a close look at the circumstances of your case. Remember, there is no charge to have your case evaluated by a member of our team. Do not hesitate to schedule your free consultation. We are here to help.
At Brown & Crouppen, we understand that each personal injury case, including those involving negligent security, is unique. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we take the time to listen to each of our clients’ stories and develop a legal strategy specially tailored to their individual circumstances and goals. We are ready to do the same for you.
Here are some examples of the kinds of security breaches that often give rise to negligent security lawsuits:
- Hotels and resorts – If you are assaulted in a place where you assumed security measures would keep you safe, such as in your hotel room or elevators, you may have a valid negligent security claim.
- Retail establishments – You may also have a viable claim if you were assaulted inside a grocery store, mall, or other retail establishment. If you are assaulted, confined, or kidnapped in a parking lot or garage, you might also have a case.
- Apartments and condominiums – These are common locations for violent crime when there is inadequate security on the premises. If you are assaulted by someone who forcibly enters your unit or the common areas of a building because of a lapse in security, you could be entitled to compensation. Residential negligence claims of this sort can be brought against security contractors, building owners, and property management companies.
- Restaurants and bars – If you are injured in a restaurant or a bar because of incidents like fights between unruly patrons that the restaurant management should have prevented, you might be able to sue.
Who Can You Sue for Negligent Security in Missouri?
If you experience harm because of negligent security, you might be able to sue whoever is at fault for the incident. That includes:
- The person who directly caused your injuries – In addition to facing criminal charges, the person directly responsible for the crime that injured you can also face civil liability.
- The establishment where the incident took place – Places like restaurants and stores have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for their customers. If you were injured because when fail to do so, you may have a viable claim.
- The personnel responsible for keeping you safe – Often, businesses hire third-party security personnel to keep their premises safe. If these companies fail to do their job, they can be on the hook for negligent security.
What Can Impact My Negligent Security Settlement?
Many factors can determine how much you receive in a negligent security settlement or judgment. A St. Louis personal injury attorney at Brown & Crouppen can review your case and help you understand your legal rights and options. Important factors in your case may include:
- Your physical and emotional injuries – Of course, evidence of the extent and severity of your injuries will be an important element of your lawsuit. In general, more serious injuries result in higher compensation. Your medical treatment and billing records are the first source of evidence we will turn to. You may also be able to secure compensation for the psychological trauma you suffered because of the incident.
- Lost wages and lowered earning capacity – If you couldn’t work or had to reduce your working hours while recovering from your injuries, you could be compensated for your lost wages. Further, if you were left struggling with a long-term disability that impacts your ability to work, you could be compensated for your lowered future earning capacity.
- What responsibility the other party had for your safety – Depending on where the accident occurred and your status while visiting the property, the owner or person in charge of its security could hold different degrees of responsibility. For example, property owners must take greater care to protect invited guests than trespassers.
- Your role in the incident – Under the doctrine of comparative fault, your own actions can reduce the amount of money you receive in a settlement or judgment. For example, if you were assaulted in a hotel room after leaving the door unlocked, a court might find that you contributed to the cause of the incident and lower your payout accordingly.
Why Should You Hire a Negligent Security Lawyer to Handle Your Lawsuit?
Lawsuits can be complex, and simple mistakes can destroy your right to compensation. The best way to make sure your case gets started on the right foot is by working with an experienced attorney. Among other things, Brown & Crouppen can help by:
- Investigating the facts of your case – We have the skills and resources needed to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident.
- Evaluating liability – Our attorneys can take a close look at what happened on the day of the incident and leading up to it. We will evaluate surveillance quality, the adequacy of security personnel training, security policies deployed at the location, and other details to determine liability for your accident.
- Gathering evidence – It is important to work with an attorney who knows how to gather evidence and gauge its importance to your claim. Our seasoned legal team will gather all available evidence and push back if the at-fault party is uncooperative.
- Filing your claim – Our attorneys will use the evidence we gather to build the strongest possible claim on your behalf. We will also make sure no deadlines are missed, including the all-important filing deadline set by the statute of limitations.
- Negotiating a fair settlement – You deserve full and fair compensation for your injuries. Hiring a law firm can help maximize your compensation. To learn more about the settlements and judgments we have achieved on behalf of our clients, visit our case results page.
- Representing you in court – Most personal injury cases are settled in negotiations. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached through out-of-court negotiation, our legal has what it takes to present your case in court.
Common Causes of Negligent Security Lawsuits
At the end of the day, the potential underlying causes of negligent security lawsuits are endless. Again, it is difficult to generalize, and each situation requires the individualized attention of a skilled attorney. That said, some common causes of negligent security claims include:
- Inadequate locks – Apartment complexes and hotels should have adequate security to protect their common areas and strong locks to protect individual rooms and residences. If they fail to ensure these basic security measures, they can be held liable in the event of an accident.
- Poor lighting – Lobbies, hallways, parking garages, elevators, common areas, and the like should be well-lit. Dimly lit or darkened spaces are more prone to violent crime.
- Lack of video surveillance – Surveillance helps security teams keep an eye on what’s going on and acts as a powerful deterrent to crime. Failure to monitor premises for danger can lead to liability in the event of a crime.
- Lack of security staff – Guards and security personnel are essential deterrents to criminal activity. These individuals can help keep watch, will come to your aid if you are attacked, and give you someone to report suspicious activity before a serious incident occurs.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Negligent Security Case?
Most personal injury cases are based on the legal concept of negligence. To secure compensation via this route, you must prove four legal elements by a preponderance of the evidence. The elements of negligence are as follows:
- Duty – The defendant owed you a duty to take reasonable care.
- Breach – The defendant failed to uphold their duty to take reasonable care.
- Harm – You suffered an injury or loss.
- Causation – Your injury or loss was proximately caused by the defendant’s breach.
In cases involving negligent security, the key issue is usually whether the defendant breached their duty to keep their property reasonably safe for lawful visitors. If they failed to do so and you can prove that their failure contributed to the crime that caused your injuries and losses, a court may order them to compensate you.
This may all sound straightforward, but it can get complicated quickly depending on the facts of your case. The best way to make sure your case gets off to a good start is by having an experienced attorney review it as soon as possible after you are injured. The legal team at Brown & Crouppen is standing by to help.
Talk to an Attorney About Your Negligent Security Lawsuit
At Brown & Crouppen, our attorneys work hard to make sure injury victims throughout Missouri have access to the excellent legal representation they deserve. With over 40 years of experience defending the rights of accident victims injured at little to no fault of their own, we have what it takes to handle your case from start to finish. Learn more by reviewing our client testimonials. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
