Negligent Security Lawyers in Maine

When you enter a property, whether it's an apartment building, a retail store, a parking garage, or a sports arena, you have a reasonable expectation of safety. You expect the owner or manager to have taken appropriate measures to protect you from foreseeable harm, including criminal acts. 

When property owners fail in this fundamental duty, innocent people can suffer devastating injuries or even lose their lives due to preventable crimes. At Berman & Simmons, we understand the profound betrayal and terror accompanying such incidents and work daily to hold negligent parties accountable.

Call us at (207) 417-4199 or complete our online contact form to book a free consultation with a Maine negligent security attorney. We are available 24/7 and offer virtual appointments. 

What You Need to Know

If you or someone you love has been harmed because a property lacked proper security to keep you safe, you may have a personal injury or wrongful death claim. These cases often arise from violent incidents that could have been prevented if the property owner had taken basic safety measures to protect guests against foreseeable risks.

Negligent security claims may involve:

• Assaults in parking garages and parking lots, particularly when these areas had attracted past criminal activity
• Attacks on guests in hotels or apartment complexes
• Violent acts against customers at gas stations, convenience stores, and shopping malls
• Lack of adequate security at bars, nightclubs, or concert venues
• Injuries due to a lack of surveillance, broken locks, or insufficient lighting
• Lack of oversight for hiring and supervising the staff who have access to customers or guests

Under premises liability law, landlords and businesses are legally responsible for providing reasonable security measures to protect lawful visitors and guests from foreseeable criminal activity. 

The clock is ticking; evidence can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage may be overwritten, witness memories fade, and physical evidence can be altered. Acting swiftly is essential to preserve crucial information for your claim.

What Can Count as Negligent Security? 

Negligent security claims arise when a property owner fails to provide adequate safety measures, directly contributing to a criminal act. 

This negligence can take many forms, including:

• Lack of trained security personnel in high-risk areas
• Poor lighting in parking lots, stairwells, or entrances
• Broken locks, doors, or fences that allow unauthorized access
• Failure to act on past incidents or criminal activity
• Ignoring police reports, complaints, or prior warnings
• Directing guests to parking areas in unsafe locations
• Not restricting access to doors or elevators

We investigate whether the property owner or manager knew or should have known about the danger and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.

What a Personal Injury Claim Can Do for You

A personal injury or wrongful death claim for negligent security can provide vital resources and a sense of justice as follows. 

• Comprehensive medical expenses: Covering all past, present, and future medical care, including emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, and long-term therapy for physical and psychological injuries.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: Reimbursing you for income lost due to your injuries and compensating you for any diminished ability to earn a living in the future.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, psychological trauma, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life you have endured.
• Wrongful death damages: For grieving families, this includes compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages allowed by Maine law.
• Accountability: Holding negligent property owners and managers responsible can send a powerful message, compelling them to improve security and potentially prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.

Advantages of Working with Berman & Simmons

Choosing the right legal team is paramount after suffering harm due to negligent security. Berman & Simmons offers distinct advantages that set us apart.