Under Georgia law, the owners of hotels, apartments, shopping centers and other commercial properties can in some cases be held responsible for injuries caused by criminal acts on the premises.
If the risk of being assaulted on the property was foreseeable, and the property owner did not take reasonable steps to protect guests, you may have the right to seek compensation through our civil justice system. This area of law is known as negligent security.
While no one can guarantee the safety of a particular location, property owners who ignore dangerous conditions on their property may be held responsible for acts committed by criminals. The following are examples of dangerous conditions that can lead to criminal attacks:
- Inadequate lighting in a parking lot or stairway
- Lack of security cameras in areas where crimes may occur
- Nonworking locks on windows and doors
- Leaving keys or access cards to hotel rooms in a place where intruders can find them
- Hiring poorly trained or screened security guards
- Allowing strangers into guest areas of hotels or apartments
Negligent security at a hotel, apartment or other setting can be an invitation to criminals to prey on guests. Simple security measures such as locked gates, lighted parking lots and visible video cameras may be enough to deter attackers.
If you are injured due to the negligence of a property owner, you have the right to seek compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The law firm of Isenberg & Hewitt, PC represents people in the Atlanta area and throughout Georgia who have been injured due to negligent security.