When someone assaults you on business property in Atlanta, Georgia, it is normal to want to know if the property owner shares responsibility for what happened. After all, businesses have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. If the company fails to provide adequate security and you suffer injuries as a result, you may have grounds to pursue a premise liability claim against the property owner.
What counts as negligent security?
To hold a business liable, you must typically show that substantially similar crimes occurred on or near the property. Evidence of prior similar crimes at that location can establish that the business should have foreseen the risk. The law does not expect the business to predict every possible crime, but it must anticipate known dangers in the area and increase security measures to protect guests.
Evidence that may support your claim
Your ability to prove negligent security often depends on the evidence you can gather about the property’s history and security practices. Courts look at the following factors when determining if a business failed to protect you:
- Crime reports showing previous incidents at the location
- Witness statements about poor lighting or broken locks
- Security camera footage or lack of cameras
- Records of security guard schedules or absence of guards
- Reports of previous security breaches
- Documented instances of malfunctioning locks or alarms
Without these pieces of evidence, you may find it harder to prove that the business knew about the danger and ignored it. As soon as you have proof, get legal advice right away.
What happens if you wait too long to act?
In Georgia you generally have two years from the date of an assault to file a personal-injury lawsuit. If the attacker is facing criminal charges, that two-year clock can extend up to six years. If you miss the deadline, you lose your right to seek compensation regardless of how strong your case may be.
Protecting your claim
An experienced premises liability attorney can investigate the property’s history, subpoena internal security records and identify patterns the business tried to hide. They can also help preserve critical evidence and interview witnesses before memories fade. Acting promptly improves your chances of proving the claim and recovering compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.