Criminal activity can lead to civil lawsuits. A person injured in an assault, for example, could take legal action against their assailant. Those with property damage losses or injury-related expenses can hold criminals accountable through litigation.
Unfortunately, sometimes the party who committed the crime escapes justice or lacks the resources to compensate their victims. In such circumstances, the people affected by criminal activity might want to consider other options for compensation. When crimes occur on private property, such as in the parking lot of an apartment complex or inside a popular bar, premises liability rules might apply.
When can people hurt by criminal activity hold a property owner accountable for a crime?
When poor security contributes to a crime
Property owners renting residential space and businesses accessible to the public have a duty of care to others. They have to maintain their facilities in a manner that is reasonably safe, or they could face claims of negligence.
In addition to cleaning and physical maintenance, that duty also extends to appropriate security practices. Erecting fences, limiting access to a parking lot, installing security cameras or hiring a professional to monitor the space are all examples of reasonable and appropriate security measures.
When business owners or landlords do not take reasonable steps to prevent criminal activity, then they may be at least partially responsible for what transpired. If other reasonable people recognize that simple security measures could have prevented the crime, then the property owner or business could potentially be liable due to their negligent security practices.
Those injured in an assault or hoping to recover the value of property stolen from a parking lot may need to consider a premises liability lawsuit to recover their losses. Holding a business or property owner accountable is possible in some cases when seeking compensation from a criminal isn’t a reasonable solution.
