Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Does Inadequate Security Plague Today's Malls? (Part B)
Stores and site managers have a legal duty to make their property reasonably safe for employees and customers. Those who are injured in the course of crime commission can sue responsible parties if, indeed, security of the premises was inadequate or nonexistent.
That usually boils down to two questions before the court:
- Did the managers take safety precautions, and
- Did they let shoppers know about any recent safety problems?
Addressing Mall Robberies
Robbery can be a very dangerous crime for shoppers, depending upon the circumstances. Robbery may be forced by threats, assault, or assault with a dangerous or deadly weapon. Compliance with a robber (which law enforcement officials encourage) lessens the chances of physical attack or death. Security specialists report that most face-to-face mall robberies happen in parking lots or unsupervised store or warehouse areas. How stores deal with this possibility can allude to or rule out negligent behavior.
Consumers who are shot or suffer physical blows in an attack may have a personal injury case if the location was not properly protected. Good lighting, surveillance cameras and guard presence demonstrate to the court that a property owner took the duty of care seriously. But if the violent incident occurred shortly after a similar event, the victim may have a valid premises liability claim.
For instance, a Texas case against a major upscale mall won $3 million for the employee plaintiff when a pattern of previous garage crimes, undisclosed to workers, showed that the company knew about a risk and failed to address it. Lawsuits have been filed in all types of questionable security cases, including carjackings, kidnappings, sexual assaults and the highly publicized 2008 trampling death of a Wal-Mart employee.
Concerned or injured consumers can get answers to their questions about mall security from a premises liability lawyer.
When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you’ve obtained, and do you have experience with premises liability cases The Kiley Law Group, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case – 1-888-208-1695.
