Property owners in the state of Pennsylvania have a legal obligation to take care of their grounds so that people do not become harmed. Premises liability law is in place to hold them liable for accidents that happen on their property due to their negligence. There are a variety of ways that properties can be kept safe, including maintaining effective security on the grounds. Continue reading below to learn more and contact an experienced Pennsylvania personal injury attorney if you were injured on another’s property.
Why is Security Important?
When a property owner does not install security on their grounds, it can cause severe accidents to take place. Security should be put into place for properties such as apartment buildings, office buildings, parking lots, stadiums, shopping centers, etc. Examples of a lack of security that is unjustified can include but are not limited to the following:
- A resident of an apartment building makes multiple complaints to a landlord about potentially dangerous people in common areas and the landlord does not take action
- There are no security guards where they are needed
- A property does not have security cameras to provide surveillance where it should be
- There is no working alarm in an elevator
- There are no security guards in a location where alcohol is served and intoxication can be a risk to public safety
- There are no working door locks for entryways of apartment buildings, allowing easy access for robbers
How do I Fulfill the Burden of Proof?
If a person becomes injured on another’s property due to lack of proper security, they may want to pursue legal action so they can recover compensation as coverage for damages. In order to be successful, they are required to fulfill the burden of proof. This includes gathering evidence that shows the property owner failed to uphold their responsibility to provide adequate security, thus directly causing the injuries sustained. In addition to hiring an attorney, the following steps can be used in order to prove this in court:
- Filing a police report in the event of criminal activity
- Obtaining witness testimony to the actions that occurred
- Taking pictures of the conditions or obtaining surveillance footage
Contact our Firm
If you or a loved one has been in a personal injury accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important that you contact an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney to help you with your case and to make sure that you are not taken advantage of. Contact Spear Greenfield to get the right attorney in your corner.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form