If you've been injured by a security guard or suffered injuries due to negligent security, the law may entitle you to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Security guards often play essential roles in maintaining safety at various business properties. However, sometimes, security companies hire the wrong people, and those security guards physically attack or sexually assault victims on the property. These attacks can lead to serious physical injuries or even death.
Premises liability cases often involve the negligent carrying out of security -- where a security guard fails to do his or her job, and then the victim gets injured or killed. These are typically thought of as negligent security or inadequate security cases. However, many of these cases involve a security guard attacking or sexually assaulting someone, and these types of cases focus more on the security company's policies of hiring and training workers.
Whether you were attacked on a property due to a security guard's failure to provide security or if you were attacked by a security guard, you should explore your legal rights. We're here to talk to you absolutely free. All you have to do is dial (321) LAWSUIT. We will talk to you about your potential case. If we can represent you in your claim, we don't get paid unless you get paid. In other words, representation is free unless we win.
Understanding Security Guard Negligence Cases
When a negligent security guard fails to perform their duties adequately, both the guard and the security company that employs them may be legally responsible. These cases often involve various scenarios, including:
- Incidents where a security guard violently attacks or sexually assaults someone;
- Situations where security guards commit false imprisonment by holding someone against their will;
- Failures to protect people from violent attacks in parking lots;
- Inadequate security at hotels, motels, apartment complexes, malls, or other business properties.
To sue a security guard or their employer successfully, several elements must be proven, including duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Many cases involving security personnel stem from inadequate training, poor supervision, or insufficient background checks.
Filing a Lawsuit Against Security Companies
If you need to file a lawsuit against the security company, it's crucial to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our law firm offers free consultations, and we're happy to get you on the phone with a lawyer to evaluate your case.
An attorney can help you get compensation by filing a personal injury claim on your behalf. Some of the specific ways an attorney can help you with your case includes the following:
- Gather evidence of negligence or misconduct
- Document your injuries and damages
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Navigate complex legal requirements
- Negotiate with insurance companies
Unlike police officers, who have certain immunities, private security guards and their employers can be held fully accountable for negligent or wrongful actions. Often times, the guards themselves don't have any insurance or any assets to pursue. However, the employer typically has insurance.
An employer -- a security company -- can be held liable when they negligently hire someone with a criminal background and without doing a proper background check. The employer can also be held liable when they fail to properly train their security guards.
Types of Compensation Available
When you've been injured by a security guard or suffered injuries due to negligent security, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. The courts recognize multiple categories of damages to ensure victims receive full and fair compensation for their losses:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Punitive damages (in cases of extreme misconduct)
Typical Settlement Amounts for Security Guard Lawsuits
When pursuing a claim after being injured by a security guard, one of the most common questions potential plaintiffs have is about the value of their case. Each case is unique, so settlement amounts can vary significantly. They can range from a few thousand dollars for minor incidents to millions of dollars in cases involving severe injuries or death.
Ultimately, there are factors that influence the value of any case, and understanding how to analyze the factors can help you better understand the potential value of your case. Typically, the total compensation available in your case will depend on factors such as:
- Severity of injuries and medical bills
- Length of recovery
- Impact on your ability to work
- Quality of evidence and the degree of negligence
- History of crime on the property or in the immediate area
- Available insurance coverage and whether there is an exclusion for assault or battery
- State laws regarding damages
- State laws regarding liability for third-party criminal acts and vicarious liability
Generally speaking, a negligent security case will have a higher value when there are severe injuries and where there is egregious behavior on the part of the defendant. Whether or not a person will actually receive compensation and how much compensation they can receive will depend upon the insurance coverage available.
Legal Standards and Industry Requirements
Security companies can be held liable for their guards' actions in some situations and depending on state law. Generally, security companies must maintain proper:
- Training protocols
- Supervision standards
- Background check procedures
- Licensing compliance
- Insurance coverage
When these standards are not met, and injuries occur, victims may have the right to seek legal remedies through the civil court system. Typically, in cases where a security company is held liable for the conduct of a security guard, the case will be based upon negligent hiring, retention, or training. In other words, if they had properly vetted and/or trained the security guard, then the victim would not have been attacked or assaulted.
Seeking Legal Assistance for a Lawsuit Against a Security Guard
If you've been harmed by a security guard's misconduct or negligence, you should explore your legal options as soon as possible. We're happy to talk with you absolutely free. Also, when we handle a case for you, we don't get paid unless you get paid. So, there's no upfront retainers or hourly fees; our pay is contingent on a successful outcome of the case.
During a quick phone call, we can help you determine whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit against the security company. If you decide to pursue a claim, we can guide you every step of the way through the legal process. Call us at (321) LAWSUIT for your free legal consultation.
We have handled negligent security cases in many states, and we have experience on the insurance defense side of these cases, as well as the plaintiff's side. We know their tactics, and we know how to win these types of cases. Give us a call risk-free to get to know us and learn more about your legal options.
