On January 30, 2025, another act of violence occurred in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. According to sources, the incident occurred near the Sleep Inn hotel on Highway 501 in Horry County. The incident happened just before noon, apparently very close to the Tanger Outlets area. The shooting left one person with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
According to police reports, the shooting took place in the area of Waccamaw Pines Drive, there was a large police presence at or near the Sleep Inn hotel. While the victim was fortunate enough to receive medical attention after being transported to a hospital in a private vehicle, this incident highlights security issues at and around businesses in the area.
Common Types of Negligent Security Cases in South Carolina
Negligent security cases arise from third-party criminal attacks on business properties. Some of the more common types of violent attacks that occur due to inadequate security include the following:
- Shootings and gun violence
- Sexual assaults and rape
- Stabbings
- Physical attacks and assault
- Kidnapping
These incidents can happen anywhere – hotels, apartment complexes, shopping centers, or parking lots – and they often leave victims dealing with serious physical and emotional trauma. The law allows victims to seek money damages for what they’ve been through when a property owner or other party responsible for the business negligently fail to implement proper security, which ultimately leads to the violent attack.
How Hotels Put Guests at Risk Through Poor Security
Here's something many people don't realize: Crime at hotels (and other businesses) will often follow a pattern. When property owners turn a blind eye to even "minor" crimes, it creates an environment where more serious violent crimes are more likely.
Common crimes that often precede violent attacks include the following:
- Trespassing
- Drug dealing
- Prostitution
- Gambling
- Loitering
- Vandalism
- Robbery
- Breaking and Entering
Common Security Issues at Hotels
There are a lot of different ways a business can fail to provide proper security. We frequently see hotels cutting corners on basic security measures, and this can include:
- Broken locks on doors and windows
- Malfunctioning security gates
- Missing or non-working security cameras
- Inadequate lighting in parking lots and common areas
- Lack of security personnel
- Poor access control allowing non-guests to freely enter the property
- Insufficient staff training on security protocols
- Failure to conduct background checks on employees
Proving Negligent Security in South Carolina Courts
In South Carolina, winning a negligent security case comes down to proving that the crime was foreseeable and that the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. This is where things get interesting – and why you need a lawyer on your side that handles negligent security cases.
The key word here is "foreseeable." If a hotel has had previous criminal incidents but didn't improve its security, that's strong evidence in a negligent security case. We dig deep to find evidence of prior crimes, and we can find it in a number of ways, like:
- Police reports
- 911 call logs
- Security incident reports
- Witness statements
- Employee complaints
- Guest complaints
- Crime statistics for the area
We also work with security experts who can testify about what reasonable security measures the property should have had in place. Sometimes, something as simple as proper lighting or working security cameras could have prevented a tragic incident.
Get Help From a South Carolina Negligent Security Lawyer at Our Office
If you or someone you love has been hurt due to inadequate security at a hotel or any other business property, don't wait to get help. Call us at (321) LAWSUIT for a free consultation. We'll listen to your story, explain your rights under South Carolina law, and help you understand your options.
Importantly, you don't pay unless we win your case. In other words, we don't get paid unless you get paid. All you have to do is give us a call. We're ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
We handle these cases in multiple states, including South Carolina. We handle negligent security cases in multiple states, and we're here to help you with whatever you need.
