Baltimore Negligent Security Lawyer
When property owners fail to provide adequate security measures, the consequences can be devastating for innocent victims. As a Baltimore negligent security lawyer, Iamele & Iamele, LLP stands ready to hold negligent property owners accountable for injuries that occur due to inadequate security on their premises. Our firm has successfully represented victims of violent crimes and security failures throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area for over 50 years, with two generations of Iameles protecting Maryland citizens’ rights.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions on their premises, including implementing appropriate security measures to protect visitors, tenants, and customers from foreseeable criminal acts. When they fail to meet this responsibility, victims of crimes that could have been prevented deserve compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Understanding Negligent Security Claims in Maryland
Negligent security cases arise when property owners fail to implement reasonable security measures to protect people on their property from foreseeable criminal acts. These claims are based on the legal principle that property owners must take steps to address known security risks and protect visitors from harm that could reasonably be anticipated.
Maryland law recognizes that certain types of properties and locations have higher risks of criminal activity, requiring enhanced security measures. Shopping centers, parking garages, apartment complexes, hotels, bars, and entertainment venues all have heightened duties to protect patrons and visitors. When adequate security measures are not in place, and someone is injured as a result of criminal activity, the property owner may be held liable for negligent security.
Common security failures that can lead to liability include inadequate lighting in parking areas, broken or non-functioning security cameras, absence of security personnel during high-risk periods, faulty locks on doors and gates, overgrown landscaping that creates hiding spots, and failure to respond to previous criminal incidents on the property. Each case requires careful analysis of what security measures would have been reasonable under the circumstances.
The legal team at Iamele & Iamele has extensive experience evaluating premises security and determining when property owners have fallen short of their duties. Our comprehensive approach includes investigating the history of criminal activity at the location, analyzing security protocols, consulting with security experts, and building strong cases for maximum compensation.
Types of Crimes and Incidents in Negligent Security Cases
Negligent security claims can arise from various types of criminal incidents that occur on inadequately secured properties. Assault and battery cases are among the most common, particularly in parking lots, bars, and entertainment venues where inadequate security allows violent confrontations to escalate. Robbery and theft incidents often occur in poorly lit areas or locations without proper surveillance systems.
Sexual assault cases frequently involve failures in apartment complex security, hotel safety measures, or inadequate lighting and monitoring in isolated areas. According to the most recent available data from law enforcement agencies, property crimes and violent crimes continue to be significant concerns in urban areas, making proper security measures essential for public safety.
Shooting incidents represent some of the most serious negligent security cases, often occurring at nightclubs, restaurants, or other establishments that fail to implement proper screening procedures or maintain adequate security presence. These tragic incidents can result in wrongful death claims when victims lose their lives due to preventable security failures.
The experienced attorneys at Iamele & Iamele understand that crime victims face not only physical injuries but also emotional trauma that can last for years. Our firm works diligently to ensure that all aspects of a victim’s damages are properly documented and pursued, including medical expenses, psychological counseling, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Proving Liability in Negligent Security Cases
Successfully proving a negligent security claim requires demonstrating several key elements under Maryland law. First, we must establish that the property owner owed a duty of care to the victim, which depends on the victim’s legal status on the property and the type of establishment involved. Business invitees typically receive the highest level of protection under premises liability law.
Foreseeability is a critical component in these cases. We must show that the criminal act was foreseeable based on factors such as previous criminal incidents at the location, the nature of the business, the time of day, and the surrounding neighborhood’s crime statistics. Baltimore Circuit Court cases have established important precedents regarding what constitutes foreseeable criminal activity.
The breach of duty element requires proving that the security measures in place were inadequate given the level of foreseeable risk. This often involves comparing the property’s security to industry standards and similar establishments in the area. Expert testimony from security professionals can be invaluable in establishing what reasonable security measures should have included.
Causation must be established by showing that the inadequate security directly contributed to the victim’s injuries. This requires demonstrating that proper security measures would have prevented or deterred the criminal act that caused harm. Our legal team works with investigators, security experts, and other professionals to build compelling cases that clearly establish liability.
Compensation Available in Negligent Security Cases
Victims of negligent security incidents may be entitled to substantial compensation for various types of damages. Medical expenses represent a significant component of most claims, including emergency room treatment, surgeries, ongoing medical care, physical therapy, and future medical needs related to the injuries sustained.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity are important considerations, particularly in cases involving serious injuries that prevent victims from returning to work or limit their ability to perform their previous job duties. Our attorneys work with vocational experts and economists to calculate the full extent of economic losses over a victim’s lifetime.
Pain and suffering damages compensate victims for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma resulting from the incident. These non-economic damages often represent the largest portion of negligent security settlements and verdicts, reflecting the profound impact these crimes have on victims’ lives.
In cases involving wrongful death, family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages recognized under Maryland’s wrongful death statute. The attorneys at Iamele & Iamele have recovered significant settlements and verdicts for families who have lost loved ones due to negligent security.
Baltimore Negligent Security FAQs
What makes a property owner liable for crimes committed on their property?
Property owners can be held liable when they fail to implement reasonable security measures to protect against foreseeable criminal acts. Liability depends on factors such as the property’s crime history, the type of business, and whether adequate security measures were in place given the known risks.
How long do I have to file a negligent security lawsuit in Maryland?
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including negligent security cases, is generally three years from the date of the incident. However, there may be exceptions depending on the specific circumstances, so it’s important to consult with an attorney promptly.
Can I still pursue a claim if the criminal was never caught or convicted?
Yes, you can still pursue a negligent security claim against the property owner even if the actual perpetrator was never identified, caught, or convicted. These are separate legal matters with different standards of proof and different defendants.
What types of evidence are important in negligent security cases?
Important evidence includes security camera footage, incident reports, witness statements, documentation of previous crimes at the location, records of security measures in place, expert testimony about adequate security standards, and medical records documenting injuries.
How do attorneys prove that a crime was foreseeable?
Foreseeability can be established through evidence of prior criminal incidents at the property, crime statistics for the surrounding area, the nature of the business, the time and location of the incident, and expert testimony about security risks and industry standards.
What compensation is available in wrongful death negligent security cases?
Wrongful death cases may include compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, medical expenses before death, and other damages as provided under Maryland law. The specific damages depend on the relationship to the deceased and other factors.
How much does it cost to hire a negligent security attorney?
Iamele & Iamele handles negligent security cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for their case. Initial consultations are free, allowing victims to understand their rights without financial risk.
Serving Throughout Baltimore
- Federal Hill
- Inner Harbor
- Fells Point
- Canton
- Little Italy
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- Hampden
- Charles Village
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- Locust Point
Contact a Baltimore Negligent Security Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured due to inadequate security at a Baltimore area property, the experienced legal team at Iamele & Iamele, LLP is here to help. Our negligent security attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and courtroom skills necessary to take on property owners and their insurance companies. We understand the complex nature of these cases and work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable while securing maximum compensation for our clients. With over 50 years of experience serving Maryland residents and a proven track record of success, including significant settlements and verdicts in premises liability cases, our firm provides the aggressive representation and personal attention you deserve during this difficult time.
