Were you attacked while walking to your car, attending a sporting event, at a bar or in another space where you had no reason to believe you were at risk?
Property owners and managers have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care to protect visitors, patrons and tenants. This does not mean, however, that a property owner or business establishment is automatically liable just because you may be injured while on their property.
If your injuries were the result of the negligence of security, you may be able to recover compensation for the costs of medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering.
The Milwaukee negligent security lawyers at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. have extensive experience handling negligent security cases, and we are not afraid to take meritorious cases to trial if necessary. It is our goal to fight for justice and pursue the highest possible amount of compensation for every case we take on.
What is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is an area of premises liability law that deals with the failure to exercise reasonable care to adequately protect visitors, guests, or patrons at businesses or in public places. A Wisconsin premises liability attorney will tell you that negligent security can take many forms. For example:
- Lighting: Were you put at risk because lack of adequate lighting made the area unsafe, whether in a trip and fall situation or due to an assault?
- Inadequate staffing: Should a security guard have been on post in the area where you were injured? Were you at an event, such as a concert, that provided an inadequate number of security personnel for the event?
- Secured space: Were fences, locks or other barriers inadequate to secure the space?
- Untrained staff: Was the person responsible for security insufficiently trained to perform security duties when the need arose?
What are Examples of Negligent Security?
Negligent security can occur at many different locations in the Milwaukee area, including, but not limited to:
- Bars and nightclubs: A bar or nightclub should reasonably anticipate the possibility of a fight, due to the consumption of alcohol. The venue should have adequate measures in place to address these potential situations.
- Stores: An attack can occur inside or outside of a store. Property owners should have the resources and procedures in place to protect patrons and staff.
- Apartment buildings: Security codes, lighting or cameras in common areas, locking gates, and other security measures can help protect tenants or visitors from harm.
- Schools and colleges: In addition to adequate lighting, locking doors, security cards or keypads, other security measures should be in place to keep unauthorized visitors away and students on campus protected from harm.
- Hotels: These require 24-hour security, locking gates, doors, and well-lighted and secure halls and walkways as a minimum.
- Banks: Special risks exist at banks. Trained security staff, cameras, and safety protocols and training are required at financial institutions. Failure or omission in providing adequate security measures could be considered negligence.
Negligent Security and Injuries
Security failures can lead to a wide range of crimes, including robbery, physical violence or sexual assaults. The injuries sustained may include brain and head injuries, gunshot or stab wounds, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, post-traumatic stress or loss of life.
If you have suffered an injury on the premises owned or operated by another party or have lost a loved one while visiting the premises of another party, our Milwaukee personal injury lawyers who specialize in negligent security can help you seek justice and full compensation.
Why Do You Need a Milwaukee Negligent Security Lawyer?
Negligent security cases can be complex. Such cases require a full investigation into the facts to determine whether a security failure contributed to the injuries sustained. Along with our team of litigators, our professional resources include investigators, medical and financial experts, and other resources necessary to support a claim or lawsuit.
At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., a Milwaukee negligent security attorney will handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, and you will not be asked to pay legal fees unless we successfully secure compensation on your behalf. We have offices in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Brookfield.
Contact Cannon & Dunphy for a no-charge consultation.