Owners of properties have a responsibility to make sure their property is reasonably safe. This is true of hotel owners just as much as any other property owners. The area of the law that covers this duty is called “premises liability.”
In a case of premises liability against a hotel, there are three things the plaintiff has to prove: that the hotel had a duty of care to ensure that the place was reasonably safe, that the hotel was negligent in this duty, and that the negligence of the hotel contributed to the harm the victim experienced.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a violent crime on a hotel’s premises, it may have been because of the negligence of a security team. Talk to an Atlanta premises liability attorney as soon as you can to see whether you have a case and learn more about your legal options.
What Responsibilities do Hotel Security Have?
Hotel security has a responsibility to ensure a reasonably safe environment for guests. Specifically, this means they’re required to keep walkways clear for guests, make sure potential hazards are clearly marked, and ensure safety against violence.
Some of the more common ways hotels fulfill these duties include installing security cameras in vulnerable areas, such as hallways and staircases. Security will generally have at least one guard on duty at any given time, patrolling and monitoring to prevent any incidents from occurring.
Negligence can happen for a variety of reasons. A hotel may not be equipped with enough security cameras, or the cameras might not be well-maintained. The security team could be too small, poorly trained, inadequately managed, or entirely absent.
That being said, there are many ways hotel security could be negligent. The important thing is that you have a case that the negligence of the security team contributed to allow a dangerous situation to occur. If you can prove that, you may have a hotel premises liability case.
What are the Crimes Hotel Security Could be Liable For?
It’s possible for hotel security to be liable for any violent crime that takes place on the hotel property. That doesn’t necessarily mean security is liable for any violent crime that takes place on the property. It just means it’s worth checking with an attorney to see whether a case exists.
Some of the more common types of crimes where hotel security might be liable include shooting, assault and battery, rape, sexual abuse, and sexual assault. In addition, families of murder victims can also make a case that negligent security contributed to the murder.
Remember: the important thing in premises liability is to show that the hotel security was negligent, and the negligence of the security team contributed to the situation that made the crime possible. Even if the crime you or your loved one experienced is not listed here, you may still have a credible case of premises liability.
What to do if You’ve Been Harmed
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime because of negligent security, the first thing you should do is seek medical care. Once you or your loved one is in stable condition, you should get in touch with a premises liability attorney you can trust. Many premises liability lawyers offer a free initial consultation, so you can get a professional evaluation of your case before you commit to suing anyone. The right hotel negligent security lawyer will be able to guide you through your case and give you the best possible chance of winning or settling your case.
