How Rising Crime Fuels Negligent Security Lawsuits
In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in crime in Philadelphia, which is part of a trend happening across the country. This rise in violent crime, which is sometimes called the “Philly Spike,” has made things very hard for both people and companies.
Because of this, it is becoming more and more important for homes to have strong protection measures. Laws about premises responsibility require property owners to protect guests from harm that they can see coming.
Since crime rates are going up, especially in places like Philadelphia, property owners who do not take enough precautions to keep their properties safe may be sued for carelessness. Because of this, property owners in Philadelphia who want to know what their duties are and avoid possible responsibility must talk to a Philadelphia negligent security attorney.
Negligent security claims are a growing problem.
Property owners are required by law to keep their properties fairly safe for guests. This includes taking steps to lower the chance of illegal behavior that can be predicted. If someone gets robbed on someone else’s land and the victim can show that the owner or boss did not provide enough protection, they may be able to file a premises liability claim.
Inadequate security could include security cams that do not work, areas like parking lots and general areas that are not well-lit, or not having enough security staff on site.
The link between crime rates and lawsuits.
Property owners are having a hard time because crime rates are going up. On the one hand, they need to take steps to keep their property and guests safe from criminals. On the other hand, it can be expensive to put strong protection measures in place.
But if you do not do anything, it could cost you even more if you get sued. In cases of lax security, jury decisions, and payouts can be big, and they may negatively impact the image of a property.
Protective measures you can take to mitigate the risk.
There are things that property owners and managers can do to lower the risk of allegations of careless security. These are some important steps:
- Checking the property’s security needs on a regular basis, taking into account things like the crime rate in the area and the kind of business that is run there.
- Implementing proper security measures, such as security cams, better lights, and security guards.
- Making sure that protection systems are always in good shape.
- Make a safety plan for the place and start to use it.
- Teaching staff the right way to handle security issues.
The economic impact of negligent security.
In addition to the legal effects, the rising crime rate and the following rise in cases of lax security have major economic effects. Costs are going up for both property owners and insurers because of more security measures, court fees, and possible agreements. Fear of crime can also keep people from renting or buying, which hurts property prices and local businesses.
It is important to remember that property owners are not the only ones responsible. People in the community must also do their part to stop crime. More police officers, neighborhood support programs, and social services can help make the area safer, which can lower the number of accidents that lead to premises liability claims.
Rising crime and its effects on premises responsibility must be dealt with in a way that involves property owners, law enforcement, and the community as a whole working together.
It is important to talk to a negligent security attorney if you or someone you care about has been a victim of a crime on someone else’s land. They can look at your case, figure out who might be responsible, and fight for your right to get paid for injuries and losses you suffered because of inadequate security measures.