Lancaster Negligent Security Lawyer

Were you attacked and injured on someone else’s property in Lancaster, PA? If your injuries occurred because the property owner was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Lancaster negligent security lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can protect your right to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Our lawyers have over 120 years of combined experience fighting for clients like you. We’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. We’re prepared to stand up and help you secure the fair compensation you deserve.

We know that you may be struggling in the aftermath of an attack. Still, you only have a limited amount of time to take legal action. Call us to get started today at (717) 616-2954 and schedule a free consultation.

Why Should I Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates for Help With a Negligent Security Claim in Lancaster, PA?

As a victim of a violent crime, you might not know that someone other than your attacker can be liable. Business owners have responsibilities. They’re often the only parties with the resources and ability to prevent crimes.

Negligent security is a complicated area of law. Insurance companies often convince victims to accept lowball settlements. Often, that’s because the victim doesn’t fully understand this area of law. It’s important to have an experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyer on your team.

Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates has been widely recognized for our effective legal representation. We’ve been rated by Super Lawyers and the Best Lawyers of America. We’ve also earned a spot on The National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” list.

Hire us, and our team will:

  • Investigate and determine who is liable for your damages
  • Collect evidence, including crime maps, statements from employees, and records of prior complaints in the area
  • Identify the security measures the owner took–and those they should have installed
  • Calculate the fair value of your personal injury claim
  • Negotiate with the insurance companies for a full settlement 

To get started, contact our Lancaster personal injury attorneys for a free consultation today.

What is Negligent Security in Pennsylvania?

If you were attacked on someone else’s property, two primary parties may be responsible for paying your damages:

  • The person who committed the crime
  • The property owner

That surprises many victims of crimes. Of course, it’s important to hold the attacker responsible in criminal court. The attacker can face criminal charges and can also be held financially liable for the victim’s damages in civil court.

Negligent security cases fall under Pennsylvania premises liability laws. Property owners in Pennsylvania have a legal duty to keep their property reasonably safe for customers, visitors, and other invited guests. They can be liable for things like dog bites and slips and falls. They also have a duty to provide adequate security.

When a property owner fails to install adequate security and a crime occurs on their premises, the owner can be held liable for the victim’s damages. Premises liability laws apply to all property owners who open their premises to the public.

For example, you may have a valid premises liability claim if you were injured while visiting:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Rental apartment complexes 
  • Bars
  • Restaurants
  • Nightclubs
  • Public parks
  • Hotels
  • Parking garages
  • Parking lots
  • Sports complexes
  • Hospitals and nursing homes
  • Shopping malls
  • Grocery stores
  • Office complexes
  • Gas stations
  • Banks
  • Pawn shops
  • Government buildings

If you were the victim of a crime on someone else’s property, contact our lawyers in Lancaster today. Negligent security cases can be tough to prove, so it’s important to have a skilled attorney protecting you.

How Do I Prove That a Property Owner Owes Me Compensation After an Attack in Lancaster? 

Property owners are only responsible for injuries on their property when their negligence allows those injuries to occur.

To establish liability for negligent security, you must generally prove:

  • The property owner owed you a legal duty of care, which means you must show you had permission to be on the premises
  • The criminal activity was reasonably foreseeable
  • The property owner failed to take adequate security measures to prevent the crime
  • You suffered damages as a result

Your negligent security case isn’t based on intentional wrongdoing. The property owner is liable solely because their neglect allowed the attacker’s intentional misconduct to occur.

What is “Adequate Security”?

There is no precise definition of “adequate security.” What constitutes adequate security can vary depending on what is reasonable under the circumstances. 

Examples may include:

  • Installing metal detectors
  • Hiring physical security guards
  • Making sure locks are working properly
  • Installing security gates and fences
  • Providing adequate lighting
  • Training employees to respond to threats of violence
  • Installing security cameras
  • Responding to a security company’s alerts

The security measures that are required will depend on several different factors, including:

  • The history of violent crimes in the area
  • Whether crimes are likely to happen again
  • The type of business involved
  • The types of customers who are attracted to the business

For example, adequate security for a daycare center will be different from what counts as adequate security for a nightclub owner. It all depends on what is reasonably foreseeable under the circumstances.

How Much Is My Lancaster Negligent Security Case Worth?

Your case value depends on the unique facts of your case, including:

  • The type of injuries you’ve sustained
  • Your costs, including medical treatment expenses and other out-of-pocket costs
  • How the injuries impact your earnings during recovery
  • Whether you’ll make a full physical recovery or suffer a long-term disability
  • How the attack and injuries impact your mental health and quality of life
  • The nature of the business owner’s actions or omissions

The insurance company may offer a settlement quickly. That doesn’t always mean it reflects the reality of your damages. The best way to ensure you’re getting a fair deal is to speak with an experienced Lancaster negligent security attorney. Contact our law firm today to schedule your free consultation.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Negligent Security in Pennsylvania?

There are three primary types of damages available under Pennsylvania personal injury laws: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages and non-economic damages compensate victims for specific losses they’ve suffered due to the injury, including:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation 
  • Mental health counseling and therapy
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • PTSD and fear
  • Anxiety
  • Depression 
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Physical disfigurement and scarring
  • Damage to personal relationships
  • Loss of consortium

Punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for their intentional or malicious actions. In negligent security cases, it’s possible that your attacker may be on the hook for punitive damages because they have committed an intentional tort.

Our Lancaster Negligent Security Attorneys Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries

An attack can cause serious injuries. 

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we represent clients in Lancaster County cases involving:

We also understand that an attack can cause significant emotional damage. When we’re fighting to help you recover fair compensation, we’ll also account for the emotional scars that may last even after your physical injuries have healed.

We Handle All Types of Negligent Security Cases in Lancaster

Our attorneys are prepared to help in any type of negligent security claim, including those involving:

  • Bar fights
  • Muggings and robberies
  • Sexual assault and rape
  • Assault and battery
  • Aggravated assault
  • Assault with a firearm or deadly weapon
  • School shootings
  • Kidnapping 

Regardless of the circumstances, it never hurts to seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options–and do everything possible to help you get the money you need and deserve.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After an Attack in Pennsylvania?

To recover damages based on negligent security, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement. Like all personal injury cases, a statute of limitations exists to limit the amount of time you have to sue for damages.

Under Pennsylvania law, you usually have two years to file a lawsuit. The two-year clock starts running on the date of your attack. After two years pass, you forfeit your right to sue for damages.

It’s always better to take action sooner rather than later. Negligent property owners often fix dangerous property conditions quickly after someone gets hurt. Evidence about your attack will always be strongest soon after it happens.

Contact a Skilled Lancaster Negligent Security Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to help if you were injured on someone else’s property. Contact an experienced Lancaster negligent security lawyer today to learn more about this area of law. Your initial consultation is always completely free of charge.