Being Assaulted in a Familiar Place
All too often we hear of innocent people being assaulted, raped, or even murdered in their own apartment buildings, homes, or offices. These types of attacks leave the victims, as well as their families, with lasting physical and emotional injuries. Although the individual or individuals who perpetrated the crime are ultimately responsible, so is the landlord to some extent. Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer will fight your legal case effectively.
What is a Landlord’s Responsibility?
Landlords have an obligation to provide safe premises, and this obligation is not limited to making sure the steps are in good repair. They also have a responsibility to provide security precautions and protect the people who are entitled to be on the premises. When an individual is attacked by an intruder who has gained entry to the building due to broken door or window locks, or the failure of other security devices, the landlord may be liable.
When is it Negligence?
To successfully bring forth a lawsuit against the property owner for negligence, the victim must first show that he or she was negligent in securing the premises, and then they must also prove that this negligence was a major factor in causing the attack. For instance, simply because a lock is broken, it may not necessarily mean that the landlord is responsible; the victim must also demonstrate that the attacker gained entrance to the building because of the broken lock.
Legal Assistance
Because of the proof required for a successful negligent security case, it is a very good idea to enlist the services of a highly-qualified premises liability lawyer. An experienced attorney will perform a complete, independent investigation to ensure that all possible evidence is uncovered.
In addition to the perpetrator and the landlord, it is possible that other parties are liable for this type of attack. Many property owners contract with management or security companies to provide security for their properties. The responsibility of these parties depends upon a variety of factors including whether they violated contractual duty.
Inadequate security law is very complex and constantly evolving. It is important to choose an attorney with experience in this particular area of law if you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligent security.
Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
At Shea Law Group, we have many years of experience handling these types of cases, and we understand the importance of having an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer on your side. Reach out to us at (877)-365-0040 to speak with a member of our compassionate legal team today.
