Liability For Repeat Crimes

Individuals who own property in Maryland have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for tenants, visitors, and customers. This duty extends beyond the immediate conditions of the property, it also includes taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable criminal activity.

When a property owner ignores a history of violence or prior criminal incidents, they may be held liable under premises liability or negligent security laws. Talk to a Baltimore personal injury lawyer about how prior incidents create legal notice and the remedies available for victims seeking justice.

Prior Incidents Can Establish Notice

Maryland courts recognize that property owners cannot ignore recurring criminal activity on their premises. If a property has a documented history of violent acts, such as assaults, robberies, or sexual offenses, this knowledge can establish notice. Notice means the owner either knew or should have known about the risks posed to occupants and visitors.

Courts typically look at several factors:

• Frequency and severity of past crimes. A pattern of repeated violent incidents demonstrates a foreseeable risk.
• Location and timing. Incidents occurring in the same area of the property or at predictable times strengthen claims.
• Previous complaints. Documentation, including police records, security logs, and tenant complaints, establish that the owner was aware (or willfully blind) to the danger.

When notice is established, the property owner may be deemed negligent if they fail to take reasonable measures, such as improving lighting, hiring security personnel, or implementing access control systems.

Legal Remedies for Victims

Victims of repeat crimes on negligent properties have several legal avenues to pursue compensation. For one, in a premises liability claim a victim may argue that the property owner failed to provide a safe environment, directly contributing to the injury. Successful claims require proving that the owner had notice of prior criminal activity and did not act reasonably to prevent harm.

In other situations, a negligent security claim is the appropriate path forward. These claims focus specifically on the failure to provide adequate security measures. Courts assess whether the precautions taken were reasonable given the known risks.

When claims are successful, harmed individuals recover for physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. In cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages may also be pursued to punish willful disregard for safety.

You don’t have to go through the justice process alone. A Baltimore personal injury lawyer can evaluate the strength of the case, identify liable parties, and navigate complex insurance claims or litigation.

Property owners cannot turn a blind eye to repeat criminal activity on their premises. When they fail to act after a documented history of violence, victims may have a strong case for premises liability or negligent security.

Have you been hurt on a property in the Baltimore area? Maryland law allows injured individuals to pursue compensation for both physical and emotional harm. Speak with the attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP. By documenting prior incidents and taking swift legal action victims can hold negligent property owners accountable and move forward toward recovery. To book a confidential consultation, contact us.