Negligent Security Attorney in Brunswick

Negligent security is a legal concept that holds a property owner or occupant liable for failing to provide reasonable security to a resident or visitor. However, for this to work, the individual filing the claim or lawsuit must have suffered injuries due to the defendant’s negligence.

The primary goal of filing a negligent security lawsuit is to seek compensation for your injuries. For this reason, you need to sue an individual or entity that can compensate you for the said injuries. For instance, suppose someone attacked you at the parking lot of your apartment complex, and you suffered severe injuries requiring several surgeries.

In that case, you will likely not recover damages if you sue the party that attacked you. This is because most people do not walk around with insurance policies protecting them in the event they attack someone else. To obtain compensation, you will need to look at the bigger picture. That’s where the property owner or occupant comes in.

Property owners must have some form of insurance to protect them against such claims. So even though they may not have harmed you directly, the fact that they did not take the necessary steps to prevent the attack, such as setting up security lights, makes them liable for the incident.

It is also important to understand that when you file such lawsuits, the property owner or occupant is not the target for compensation. Instead, in most cases, the settlement derives from their insurance coverage. 

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Examples of economic damages include medical expenses, lost income, and loss of earning potential. On the other hand, non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental distress, etc.

If the case goes to court and the judge or jury determines that the defendant was extremely negligent, they might award you punitive damages. This award punishes the defendant for gross negligence and warns other parties against similar conduct.

Many factors will come into play when determining whether the other party was negligent. In most cases, you will need to prove the following:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care, meaning they were responsible for providing adequate security.
• The defendant breached their duty of care, meaning they were negligent.
• You suffered injuries due to the defendant’s negligence.
• You also suffered damages due to the defendant’s negligence.

In the past, negligent security victims have suffered the following injuries:

• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Concussions
• Cuts and bruises

Yes, it is important to get checked by a doctor after a negligent security incident for two reasons.

First, your health is essential. Seeking immediate medical attention after negligent security helps the doctor determine whether you have suffered severe injuries and the type of treatment you will need. It is also important to note that you should visit a doctor even if you do not show any signs of physical injuries.

This is because internal injuries take time to show their symptoms. In fact, many people find out about their internal injuries when it is too late. As a result, some negligent security victims die from internal injuries that can be managed with a trip to the doctor.

Secondly, seeking medical attention immediately after the incident helps prove that you actually got injured due to negligent security. You can obtain a copy of the doctor’s report detailing the injuries you sustained, the recommended treatment, and other important information about your health. This report could come in handy during the settlement negotiations.

For instance, the attorney could use the report to determine how much compensation you are entitled to, particularly for your current and future medical bills. They can also use this report to help you get the treatment you need while the case is still in progress.

It is okay to settle a case without involving the court. In fact, most negligent security cases settle out of court. This is because court processes usually take too long and can be costly for both parties. That said, regardless of where the case will be settled, it is crucial to have an experienced negligent security lawyer by your side.

The attorney will review the unique circumstances of your case and fight for your best interests. Keep in mind that an out-of-court settlement is only recommended if the other party is willing to cooperate and offer a reasonable settlement. Settling the case out of court should not be an excuse to lowball your claim.  

Having an experienced Brunswick negligent security lawyer by your side throughout the negotiations is the best way to avoid exploitation and manipulation by the other party. When you have a legal representative, the other party will think twice before playing games with your claim.

Yes, you can. Swimming pool owners are responsible for ensuring that the pool and the surrounding areas are safe. This explains why most states require swimming pools to have a fence around them. If you or your loved one gets injured at a swimming pool, you can hold the owner accountable. That said, whether or not you have a valid claim will depend on the unique circumstances of your case.

For example, say a toddler gains access to a swimming pool and drowns. This could be a case of negligent security because pools are required to have fencing around them to reduce the risk of drowning. Now, look at it from a different perspective.

Suppose teenagers climb the fence surrounding the pool at night and swim without the owner’s permission. In that case, the property owner might not be liable for any injuries or deaths that could occur from such activity. This is because the owner took the required steps to fence the pool and also did not grant the teenagers permission to use the pool.

So, technically, they trespassed into the pool. And in most cases, trespassing is usually considered an affirmative defense in a negligent security lawsuit.

Negligent security attorneys can help in many ways, from the initial consultation to the verdict. Here’s an overview of how such an attorney could help.

Case Evaluation

The attorney will review your case to determine whether you have valid legal grounds to file a negligent security lawsuit against the other party. If you have a valid case, the lawyer will advise you on how to proceed.

Collecting Evidence

The negligent security attorney can also help you gather crucial evidence to prove your case. In other words, they will need to prove duty, breach of duty, injury, and damages sustained.

Solving the Liability Puzzle

A negligent security lawyer can help determine the party responsible for your injuries. In some cases, more than one party might be liable.

Assessing Damages

To file a successful claim or lawsuit, you must prove that you suffered damages due to the negligent security incident. In this case, damages refer to the losses you incurred due to the negligent security incident. As mentioned, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.

Filing a Claim

Once the attorney has identified the liable parties and the value of your case, they will file a claim on your behalf. This allows the other party to negotiate a reasonable settlement with your lawyer, preferably out of court. However, if they refuse to negotiate or insist on a lowball offer, the attorney might file a lawsuit on your behalf, bringing the case to a judge or jury.

Morgan & Morgan charge a contingent fee, meaning we do not get paid unless we win. This also means you have nothing to lose but much to gain when contacting us for a free case evaluation. When we win the case, we will deduct a small portion of the settlement to cover attorney and legal fees. You will then keep the remaining percentage.

You should consider many different things when looking for a competent, negligent security attorney. That said, some factors are more critical than others, as discussed below.

Find out whether the attorney has experience handling negligent security cases. For example, Morgan & Morgan has been fighting for the rights of the injured since 1988. Such experience can be critical in tackling complex cases.

Also, ask them if they have any records of their victories. This request can help prove whether or not they can handle your case. For instance, Morgan & Morgan has won over $20 billion as compensation for different injuries, a true testimony of their capacity to handle such cases, big and small.

Research their reputation. What is the attorney or firm known for? To put things into perspective, Morgan & Morgan is widely known as the largest personal injury law firm in the United States, boasting over 28,000 reviews on Google alone.

Lastly, find out whether the attorney is willing to fight for you in court if the defendant refuses to settle. Since most injury cases settle out of court, some attorneys lack courtroom experience. This could hurt your claim because you need someone who will fight for you zealously, no matter the circumstances.

Morgan & Morgan negligent security attorneys understand your pain. For this reason, we can help recover compensation for your injuries. But first things first, we will need to review your case to determine whether it is valid. 

Ready to hold the other party responsible for negligence and recover the compensation you deserve? Fill out our free case evaluation form to get started.