Your Las Vegas Negligent Security Attorneys
Property owners are required by law to provide a reasonably safe environment in their establishments. A negligent security lawsuit can come about when a property owner fails to provide sufficient security to prevent theft or assault. In addition to providing adequate security, property owners are required to ensure that their on-site security personnel keep the peace in a responsible manner that doesn’t cause injury to others. If you’ve been a victim due to negligent security, you need to reach out to a negligent security attorney Las Vegas, NV, locals rely on to seek justice.
Inadequate Security
Inadequate security falls into the premises liability category of law. Premises liability is defined as a legal concept pertaining to personal injury lawsuits where injury has been caused by an unsafe or defective condition on someone else’s property. Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment and can be held responsible if they fail to do so. Common circumstances that lead to premises liability lawsuits are:
- Slip and falls
- Animal bites and attacks
- Violent customers or guests
- Wet or icy surfaces
- Fires
- Toxic chemicals
- Inadequate security that leads to injury or assault
In terms of inadequate security, it is the duty of a property owner to maintain a safe environment for their patrons or tenants. Property owners can do this by having their property fitted with security cameras, motion sensors, proper lighting and other security equipment. If it is deemed necessary, property owners will also employ security guards to prevent crime from occurring on the premises. Security guards may patrol the area or constantly watch the security cameras to ensure the safety of the property and its patrons. If a property owner fails to maintain a reasonably safe environment, there are a few things you will have to prove to bring about a successful premises liability claim.
Nevada’s Premises Liability Law
To bring about a successful premises liability claim in the state of Nevada, these five elements must be present:
- The defendant is the owner of the property or in control of the property
- The plaintiff is a permissive user of the premises
- A dangerous condition exists on the premises
- The defendant caused, knew about, or should have known about the alleged dangerous condition
- The dangerous condition caused the plaintiff to suffer injury
According to Nevada law, the court has an obligation to determine the property owner’s duty in relation to a premises liability claim and to decide whether the property owner acted reasonably under the circumstances. Duty of care is defined as a legal obligation that is imposed on an individual requiring adherence to a standard of reasonable care while performing any acts that could foreseeably harm others.
Property owners owe a duty of care to visitors of their property, meaning that it is their responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe environment on their property. Property owners or managers should mitigate the risk of injuries that could be caused by:
- Environmental conditions such as rain, flooding, debris, snow ice
- Man-made conditions such as wet floors, uneven surfaces, loose railings, poor lighting, or potholes
If they fail to do so and you are injured as a result, you can bring about a negligent or inadequate security claim in the state of Nevada.
Injured By a Security Guard
Now that you’re familiar with what can happen when a property owner fails to provide security or to maintain a safe environment, let’s talk about when security personnel behave negligently and go too far when dealing with patrons of an establishment. It is a security guard’s job to protect patrons of an establishment, prevent crime, and to remove guests that they believe are causing disruption or creating a dangerous environment. When a security guard does have to remove someone, they are expected to do so without causing that person harm. If a security guard behaves negligently or recklessly and ends up hurting someone, they could be held liable and have a personal injury case filed against them.
A security guard or bouncer is expected to maintain a reasonably safe environment and to conduct themselves in a responsible manner when dealing with guests. Security guards are more prone to committing assault or battery while on the job, because physical force is an aspect of the profession and there is a thin line between reasonable force and excessive force. Security guards or bouncers do not have the same protections as police officers or immunity from assault claims. When dealing with an unruly guest, a guard must first ask the guest to leave the establishment and may only use force when a guest is committing a crime, or attempting to hurt the guard or another guest. Just like anyone else can act in self-defense or in defense of another person.
What to Do if You’ve Been Injured Due to Negligent Security
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury due to negligent security, you need to seek medical attention promptly after the injury occurs. After you have received medical care, it is important to reach out to a negligent security attorney in Las Vegas who can assist you with your case. Negligent security claims can be hard to prove and require expert testimony. The attorneys at Eglet Adams have plenty of experience with negligent security cases and are equipped to take your case all the way to trial. Eglet Adams can help you obtain maximum damages for your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical care.
Contact The Law Office of Eglet Adams to speak with a Nevada negligent security lawyer during a free initial consultation, where an attorney can assess your individual case and determine how to move forward.
