Being the victim of negligent security is a traumatic experience that can have long-lasting emotional and physical effects. Many victims are unsure of their rights in these cases and can be overwhelmed by the legal proceedings. If you or someone you know has been an injury victim due to a lack of security, it’s essential to understand how you can take legal action. At Hupy and Abraham, our Gurnee negligent security lawyer will fight to get victims injured due to negligent security the compensation they deserve.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security is a form of premises liability law that deals with injuries sustained due to inadequate security measures at an establishment. These measures can include the following:

  • Having a lack of staff available that can discourage possible attackers from committing a crime that could cause injury or harm
  • Hiring staff that are not trained properly to address people who may pose a danger to guests or visitors to the property or establishment
  • Having an insufficient amount of lighting to protect people from an assault
  • Not having the necessary barriers in place, such as locks on doors or windows or fencing, to prevent possible attackers from entering the premises
  • Having a lack of surveillance cameras to monitor the premises

In general, any situation where the property owner knew or should have known about potential dangers on their property but failed to provide proper safety measures for visitors can be grounds for a negligent security case.

How Do You Start a Negligent Security Lawsuit?

Before pursuing legal action in your negligent security case, it’s important to consult with an experienced attorney who specializes in premises liability cases. Your lawyer will be able to advise you on the next steps and guide you through the legal process.

Depending on your situation, they may suggest filing a lawsuit against the property owner or another liable party, such as a landlord or tenant who was responsible for providing adequate safety measures on the premises. The attorney will work with you to develop evidence, such as witness statements and photographs, demonstrating how the incident happened and how negligence played a role in causing your injury. 

All parties involved must be identified by name and address so they can be served with legal documents related to the lawsuit. Once this information is gathered, it is necessary for all parties involved in the negligent security claim to be served with notice that a suit has been filed against them. This notice allows each party to respond to or contest the allegations made against them by submitting their own documents or evidence. 

Personal Injury Statute of Limitations in Gurnee IL

It is essential to consult with a Gurnee negligent security lawyer as soon as possible since Illinois has a statute of limitations for filing a claim. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for filing a negligent security claim is two years from the date of injury or death. This means that an individual injured due to negligent security has two years from the date of the incident to file their claim. However, if an individual dies due to the negligent security incident, then their family has two years from their passing to file their claim. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, your case will be dismissed, and you will not be able to pursue damages.

What Is Needed for an Attorney to Prove Negligent Security?

In order for an attorney to prove negligent security in court, an attorney must demonstrate that there was an act of negligence that caused your injury. Several elements will need to be proved to have a negligent security case. These include the following:

  • You had a legal right to be on the property
  • There was a duty of care owed by the owner of the property
  • The property owner breached their duty of care by failing to provide adequate security measures
  • The property owner failed to warn those visiting or staying at the property of the potential risks of danger, and these actions or lack of actions resulted in your injury

A lawyer must prove that if adequate safety measures had been taken by those responsible for maintaining safety on the premises, then the incident would not have occurred, and the resulting damages would not have been incurred by you or another party involved in the case. This can be difficult to do without evidence provided by an experienced attorney who knows what needs to be done for successful litigation against those responsible for negligent security incidents. 

Why Hire a Gurnee Negligent Security Attorney for Premises Liability?

Hiring an experienced attorney who specializes in premises liability law is essential when seeking compensation after suffering from a negligent security incident. A Gurnee negligent security attorney will determine if you have a claim against another party and guide you through the process of filing a negligent security lawsuit.

Gurnee negligent security lawyerAn experienced lawyer will know exactly what evidence needs to be gathered and presented during the trial for successful litigation against those responsible for providing inadequate safety measures on their property. Evidence for a negligent security case may include the following:

  • Police reports. Obtaining police reports can prove that law enforcement was previously called to the property for other criminal incidents. This will show that the property owner knew of the risk of possible harm and did not take the necessary steps to prevent another criminal attack from happening.
  • Eyewitness testimony. Testimony from eyewitnesses to the crime or from others who may have seen a lack of security measures at the time of the incident can help support your negligent security claim. 
  • Records of property maintenance. Property maintenance records can be used to determine if security measures such as proper lighting or working locks were in place at the time of the incident.
  • Logs of employees. Logs can show what employees or security personnel were working at the time of the incident.
  • Video surveillance. Footage from video surveillance cameras can provide information such as who caused the attack, whether there was enough security present at the time of the attack, and more.
  • Photos of the accident scene. Photos of the accident scene can be used as evidence to show what types of security measures were in place at the time of the attack.

If another party is proven liable for your injuries, the following damages could be awarded in a Gurnee negligent security case:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Out-of-pocket expenses

Contact Our Negligent Security Lawyer in Gurnee IL

If you need a Gurnee negligent security lawyer, contact Hupy and Abraham for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced lawyers have a successful track record of getting our clients the fair recovery they deserve. To schedule an appointment, contact us online or call us at 1-800-800-5678. Request a free copy of Negligent Security: What You Need to Know About It to learn more about your legal rights and possible recovery.