A property owner can be liable for injuries if they fail to take reasonable precautions against foreseeable crime in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This is known as negligent security.
If you suffered injuries on someone else’s property, a top-rated Orangeburg crime victims or negligent security attorney with Marc Brown Law Firm can help you seek compensation for your suffering. Contact a reputable personal injury attorney at our firm for a free consultation today and find out what is next for your case.
What is a Negligent Security Claim?
A negligent security lawsuit could involve a violent crime on a business property where the victim was harmed due to inadequate security measures. The property owner or manager may have failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable violent crime, resulting in injury or harm.
These cases focus on property owners’ negligence in not implementing appropriate security measures in areas where violent crime is a known risk, as is required per South Carolina Code of Annotated Laws Title 27, Chapter 3. These might include hotels, apartments, shopping areas, parking facilities, bars/restaurants, and gas stations.
Liability is not limited to property owners either. Lessees, managers, or security companies can be held responsible if their actions or inactions contribute to a violent crime. Crimes like shootings, stabbings, beatings, sexual assaults, robberies, homicides, and even fires on the property linked to the property owner’s negligence in providing adequate security can be grounds for a claim.
Damages You Can Recover in a Negligent Security Lawsuit
Under South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530, you have three years to file a negligent security claim for injuries resulting from a violent crime on a business property. If the crime tragically resulted in death, the three-year period typically begins on the date of the victim’s passing.
This deadline is strict. If you miss it, you could lose your right to seek compensation. Proving damages, including those for negligent security, is crucial in any personal injury claim. They may include:
- Economic damages are tangible and include easily quantifiable losses like medical bills and lost wages.
- Noneconomic damages are less tangible losses that impact relationships, including emotional distress, pain, and suffering. Calculating these requires detailing how the injuries have affected your life and the lives of your loved ones.
If the crime tragically resulted in the loss of your loved one, the damages sought can differ significantly. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members and dependents may be entitled to compensation for lost income, funeral and burial expenses, and loss of companionship as described under S.C. Code § 15-51-40.
Steps in a Negligent Security Claim in Orangeburg, SC
Understanding the process of bringing a negligent security claim empowers you, victims of violent crime, and clarifies how to seek compensation. Here is a quick breakdown of the steps involved:
- Discuss your case with an attorney
- Gather evidence related to the crime
- Prepare a case summary for the responsible party
- Attempt to settle the case out of court
- File a lawsuit if a settlement can’t be reached
- Try to resolve the case through a neutral third-party
- Proceed to court if all other options fail
Remember, each case is unique and may involve additional or modified steps. For personalized guidance, consult a dedicated crime victims and negligent security lawyer in Orangeburg with Marc Brown Law Firm.
Consult Orangeburg’s Skilled Crime Victims/ Negligent Security Law Firm for Help Today
If you have been victimized by a violent crime on someone else’s property in South Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a compassionate Orangeburg crime victims and negligent security attorney from Marc Brown Law Firm today for a free consultation. Fill out our quick contact form or call us to get started.