Premises security is an area of the law holding property owners or managers, or both, responsible for violent crimes they failed to prevent, when it was reasonably likely that the property would see such a crime. When a tenant or guest is assaulted, robbed, raped or killed on someone else's property, and negligence by the property's owner or manager is a factor, the victim may make a premises security claim. They may claim all damages related to the incident, including the cost of any medical bills; any wages they lost; and compensation for a disability, disfigurement, pain and emotional trauma. In the case of a wrongful death, the victim's family may (depending on the area) be able to collect compensation for all of the related costs as well as compensation for their emotional losses.

A premises security claim may be filed over crimes at any of these locations:

• Apartment buildings
• Shopping mall parking lots
• Nightclubs and bars
• Hotels and motels
• Convenience stores
• Fast-food eateries and other restaurants

To win a premises security claim, plaintiffs must be able to show that the owner or occupant of the property knew (or should have known) that crimes have occurred on the property and did not take reasonable measures to protect legitimate tenants, customers and other authorized visitors from further crimes.

If you believe negligence by a property's owner or occupant led to a violent crime against you or someone you love in Metropolitan Washington (including the Maryland suburbs and Northern Virginia) or Baltimore (and its surrounding counties), you should talk to the experienced attorneys at Mesirow & Stravitz today. To set up a free consultation, please call us toll-free at 866-463-0303 or in D.C. at 202-463-0303, or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.