Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
The Law on Security at ATMs (Part B)
Knowledge Is Key to Inadequate Security Cases
If your loved one was injured or killed on ATM premises, what did the bank or other company of ownership know about the potential risk?
Elements that may point to increased risk for ATM crimes are:
- The geographical area or neighborhood
- The physical location of the machine
- The type of business engaged in, if a non-bank ATM
- The record to date of any illegal activity related to the machine
When a Family Member Gets Injured or Killed on ATM Premises
In the case of your loved one, it is worth knowing the answers to these questions:
- Was the cash machine located in a high-crime neighborhood?
- Was the machine in a location obscured from possible witnesses and favorable to robbers?
- Was it inside a store or other business that had been victimized in the past?
- Was the machine itself the site of previous assaults or robberies?
A “yes” answer to any of these questions may indicate that the responsible parties failed in their duty of care to your injured family member or friend.
Proving Negligence in a Premises Liability Lawsuit
There are no federal laws that hold banks or ATM owners responsible for patrons’ personal security.
State laws vary. Some states require only minimum precautions, such as highly visible locations unobstructed by landscaping and illuminated around the clock. Other states stipulate indoor locations secured by locking doors or closed-circuit cameras.
Find out whether your loved one’s security was breached by negligence in locating or maintaining the ATM in question.
A personal injury attorney can help you obtain evidence and decide whether you have a valid legal claim against the ATM owner or operator.
What to Ask Personal Injury Lawyers?
When you are talking to Boston personal injury attorneys, ask critical questions, like:
- How long have you been practicing in Massachusetts?
- What is the largest compensation you’ve obtained for your clients?
- Do you have experience with premises liability cases?
The Massachusetts premises liability law firm, Kiley Law Group, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis (NO WIN NO FEE), so there are NO FEES unless our trained lawyers win your case.
Call now for a FREE Consultation: 1-888-208-1695.
