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Rhode Island Negligent Security Lawyer | Liability Attorneys for Crimes on Property

Negligent security lawyer in RI

Negligent security in Rhode Island is a serious legal matter. If a crime takes place on your property in Rhode Island, are you liable for any of the resulting damage that may occur to another person on that property? The answer to that question depends on several factors that will be reviewed by a judge or jury. Let’s analyze what property owners in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations need to do to prevent a negligent security claim. If you are a victim of negligent security in RI, contact a Rhode Island negligent security lawyer.

Rhode Island negligent security lawyer

While the criminal should be held accountable for his or her actions, that is not necessarily a defense in negligent security cases in Rhode  Island and Massachusetts. Commercial and residential property owners are required to take steps to prevent any activity that may be foreseeable. This means that if there has been crime on or near the property in the past, steps must be taken to prevent future crime that are reasonably foreseeable. Action steps may include adding security cameras or security personnel near the entrance to a building.

Was the Act Intentional?

If a criminal intentionally commits a crime, the property owner may not be held liable for the acts of that person. For instance, if an individual owns a commercial building where he or she operates a business, he or she would not usually be responsible for intentional crimes committed by employees. Still, that employer would have to show that he or she conducted a background check or took other reasonable steps to ensure that an employee did not pose a higher risk of committing a crime.  There is also the possibility of a negligent hiring cause of action in Rhode Island. A negligent hiring claim means that the victim alleges that the employer failed to properly screen candidates or do a proper background check on employees causing the victim injuries as a result.

What Was the Status of the Criminal While on the Property?

The law takes into consideration that some parties are allowed to be on a property while others are not. If a criminal was trespassing when he or she committed a crime, the property owner may not be liable if it was not reasonable to expect the trespasser to enter the property. However, if the individual was invited onto the property or had permission to use it in any way, the owner of the property would more likely be liable if that third-party committed a crime.

Rhode Island Negligent Security Lawyer

Whether or not a property owner is liable for a crime committed by a third-party largely depends on the facts in the case. If it was reasonable to believe that an action or inaction increased the odds that a crime could occur, a victim may have a chance at winning compensation from that person. If you were injured as a result of a criminal act on the property of another business or individual you may be able to pursue a negligent security case utilizing a RI personal injury lawyer who is also a Providence negligent security lawyer .