New Jersey property owners are required to keep people visiting their properties safe and harm-free. Therefore, when you spend time shopping at a New Jersey shopping center, it is natural to expect the property owner to keep you and other shoppers safe during your time there. However, if the property owner is negligent in their security, you could quickly become a victim of a violent or dangerous act. When this happens, the property owner may be held liable for your injuries and other losses.
Are shopping centers common places for crimes?
Yes, shopping centers are common places for crimes. Many people may become surprised by this as they typically only think of dark and empty places, such as alleyways, as the best places for crimes. However, one of the top places where various types of crimes occur is a place where many people go to have a fun-filled day with their families or to purchase their needs and wants, which is a shopping center or mall. Some of the reasons why shopping centers are common places for crimes include:
- There are usually several customers, large groups, or high foot traffic at certain times frequenting the stores at shopping centers.
- Shopping centers are typically large, making it difficult to secure the entire area.
- Many shopping centers have rear or side entrances and back hallways, which are known to lack security protection.
- Stairways, elevators, hallways, and restrooms located in shopping centers are ideal areas for criminals to commit their crimes or hide because they are enclosed.
- Many shopping centers also have parking lots and parking decks that criminals can target customers in.
- Criminals know that most people who visit shopping centers have some type of cash or money on them as this is a location where you usually spend money.
What types of crimes can customers be subject to while visiting shopping centers in New Jersey?
There are various types of crimes that customers can be subject to while visiting shopping centers in New Jersey, such as:
- Stabbings
- Shootings
- Theft, burglary, or robbery
- Carjacking
- Kidnapping
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault or rape
- Homicide or murder
What does negligent security at a shopping center look like?
Negligent security can look different in every person’s case. Here are a few examples of how negligent security occurs and provides an easier environment for criminals to commit their acts:
- Broken, defective, or lack of working security cameras
- Broken, defective, or lack of lighting
- Broken doors, locks, gates, and fences
- Obstructed or blocked emergency exits
- Broken, defective, or no security system at all
- Lack of security personnel or security guards
- Failure to warn or alert shoppers about threats, nearby incidents, or foreseeable crimes
- Lack of trained employees who know how to identify and respond to potential threats or criminal acts
What does it mean when a crime is foreseeable?
In order to successfully sue a property owner for your injuries that occurred at a shopping center, you must be able to prove that the crime was foreseeable. You may be able to prove this by showing that there were complaints or reports made by shoppers about certain crimes, there were past threats or crimes that occurred at the shopping center, the shopping center is knowingly in a high-crime area, or other similar crimes have occurred nearby or to other shopping centers in the area. If any of these factors apply to your case, the property owner most likely knew that future crimes may occur, which means that the crime was foreseeable.
What is the property owner’s responsibility to shoppers?
The property owner of a shopping center has a responsibility to shoppers. This responsibility consists of providing adequate and working security measures to protect and keep shoppers safe. However, this does not mean that a property owner of a shopping center must hire bodyguards to watch each customer’s every move while they shop or to walk them to their vehicles when they are finished. Instead, it simply means that the property owner is required to take certain measures to potentially deter or prevent foreseeable crimes from occurring. If the property owner did not make reasonable efforts to do this and shoppers became hurt, they could be found liable for their injuries and other losses.
How do I hold the negligent property owner accountable for my losses?
There are specific steps you must take to hold the negligent property owner accountable for your losses, such as:
- Inform the police: The first step you should take is to dial 9-1-1 and inform the police about the crime and injuries you have experienced. You want to ensure that law enforcement is aware of the crime that took place at the shopping center and that they document everything that happened to you.
- Seek medical attention: No matter what type of injury you sustained, it is crucial to seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Although you may feel completely fine or think that your injuries are minor, you still need to be checked out by a licensed medical provider who can document your injuries and ensure that you receive the proper treatment to make a full recovery.
- Hire a negligent security lawyer: Next, you should strongly consider hiring a negligent security lawyer who has the experience, skills, and knowledge to guide you through this type of case. An attorney will answer any of your questions and concerns, provide legal advice based on your unique situation, and ensure that you take the best course of action to obtain the compensation you are entitled to.
- Collect evidence: As soon as you are able to, it is a good idea to begin collecting strong and convincing evidence that will support your side of the story. This may be medical bills, doctor reports, receipts, prescriptions, pay stubs, photographs, videos, surveillance footage, news reports, shopping center property records, and more.
- File a negligent security claim: Your negligent security attorney can help you file a negligent security claim once you have gathered the necessary information, documents, and evidence. This type of claim will seek to hold the property owner accountable for their actions.
- Prepare to go to trial, if necessary: If your attorney and the property owner’s insurance company cannot come to an agreement on a fair settlement, your attorney may suggest going to trial. If your case makes it to trial, the judge or jury will listen to arguments from both sides and decide whether the property owner was negligent in their security and owes you compensation for your damages.
Have you recently suffered an injury at a shopping center and believe negligent security may have played a role? If so, please do not hesitate to reach out to the negligent security attorneys at Kwartler Manus at your earliest opportunity. Our team is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of these types of claims and securing the best results possible for your case. We know and understand that you are currently focused on healing and recovering from your injuries, which is why we will gladly take some of the burden off your shoulders and handle the ins and outs of the legal process for you. Schedule a free consultation to begin discussing at our New Jersey office today.