Have you or a loved one been attacked, sexually assaulted, or robbed at weapon-point while attending a concert at The Fillmore in San Francisco, leaving a restaurant in Sacramento’s Midtown district, or in an apartment parking garage in downtown Fresno?
When you slip on a wet floor, you know that you may have the option to file a compensation claim for your injuries, but violent crime is often perceived like a force of nature: unpreventable.
However, negligent security incidents happen every day across Northern California, from BART stations in Alameda County to shopping centers in San Jose, such as Santana Row and Westfield Oakridge. If a property owner disregarded reasonable steps, such as installing cameras, hiring trained security staff, or maintaining safe lighting, and any of those steps could have prevented the crime that resulted in your injury, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Berg Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for your rights after inadequate security caused you harm, so you can focus on healing and recovery without the added stress of mounting medical bills.
Negligent Security Law FAQs
What is “Negligent Security”?
California’s negligent security laws require landowners to keep their properties safe for visitors, including taking steps to prevent foreseeable criminal acts of third parties. In other words, if you were assaulted because of a lack of security on the property, you may be eligible to receive compensation.
Likewise, if security is available but inadequate–for example, if violent crimes have occurred on the property in the past, but no action was taken to prevent them in the future–the property owner can also be held liable.
Examples of negligent security include:
- Poor lighting
- Broken locks on doors, gates, and windows
- Lack of security cameras or alarms
- Inadequate emergency exits
- Untrained or poorly trained security guards
When Can I File a Negligent Security lawsuit?
In order to win a negligent security lawsuit, you will need to prove the following:
- You were on the property lawfully.
- You were injured on the property by a third party.
- The property owner should have known about potential risks to visitors to their property and failed to provide adequate security.
- Ex. 1: A business in an area with a high crime rate should know that visitors may be at a higher risk of armed robbery.
- Ex. 2: A bar with a reputation for “rowdy” clientele should know that visitors may be at a higher risk of assault.
- Your injuries would not have happened if the property owner had provided adequate security.
What Steps Should I Take After an Attack on Commercial Property?
If you’ve been attacked on commercial property, getting compensation can be a complicated process. Several parties may be liable for your injuries, including the property owner, management company, and security company. Additionally, there may be an ongoing criminal investigation against the assailant. To maximize your chances of getting compensation, follow these steps:
- When possible, get someplace safe.
- Call 911 and file a police report.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, and alert the medical staff you are a victim of a crime before you are treated.
- Contact a premises liability lawyer.
- Connect with available crime victim resources. As a crime victim in California, you can connect with the California Department of Justice’s Victims’ Services Unit (VSU). The VSU helps victims and their families access resources, stay updated on criminal proceedings, and get referrals to mental health, safety net, and victim compensation services.
Where Can I Get Treatment for a Negligent Security-Related Injury?
If you’ve suffered an injury due to negligent security, such as an assault, robbery, or other incident on unsafe property, getting prompt medical care is important for protecting both your health and your legal claim.
Here are several trusted hospitals throughout Northern California where victims can receive emergency and follow-up care:
- Community Regional Medical Center (Fresno): Located in downtown Fresno, Community Regional Medical Center is the area’s largest and most advanced Level I trauma center. Its emergency department provides 24/7 critical care and trauma surgery, serving as a key facility for severe injury treatment in California’s Central Valley.
- Alameda Hospital (Alameda): Alameda Hospital offers comprehensive emergency and acute care services to residents of the East Bay. Known for its personal, community-focused care, the hospital provides both urgent treatment and rehabilitation for injury victims.
- UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento): UC Davis Medical Center is a nationally recognized academic hospital and Northern California’s only Level I adult and pediatric trauma center. It’s equipped with cutting-edge facilities and specialists experienced in treating victims of violent incidents and serious injuries.
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (Bay Area): As the only Level I trauma center serving San Francisco and northern San Mateo counties, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital provides advanced emergency and trauma care. Its team of surgeons, physicians, and mental health professionals is trained to assist victims of assaults, accidents, and other security-related incidents.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
No one is ever turned away from our law firm due to their financial situation. The negligent security attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means your initial consultation is free, you pay no hourly fees, and if you don’t win compensation, you pay us nothing. That’s our No Fee Guarantee®, so don’t let the cost of hiring a lawyer stand in the way of getting compensation for your injuries.
Negligent Security Attorneys Serving Northern California
Cases such as assault and robbery are tried in criminal court, but when inadequate security measures on commercial property contributed to or caused your victimization, you may also have the option to pursue compensation for your injuries in civil court. Our personal injury law firm is accepting negligent security injury cases from California victims in Modesto, Fresno, Sacramento, the Bay Area, and the surrounding areas.
If you or a loved one are the victim of a crime that should have been prevented by proper security, we want to help you. Contact Berg Injury Lawyers today for a free case review.
