Legal Help If You Are Attacked on Commercial Property
The City of Boulder offers residents a superior quality of life. Its location, nestled at the foothills of the Rockies, makes it the perfect place to enjoy the best of urban living and the great outdoors. The Pearl Street Mall, with its cafés, restaurants, bars, music venues, and galleries, is a popular nightspot, where thousands of residents and tourists gather. But a night out on the town can become a nightmare if you or a loved one is assaulted, whether at the Pearl Street Mall or another commercial location.
Businesses are expected to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors and guests. This duty includes providing security to protect you from an assault or attack. If you were injured on commercial property, you may have a premises liability claim due to negligent security.
What Is Negligent Security?
By law, business establishments in Boulder must operate with knowledge of the types of crimes being committed in the area, and take reasonable precautions to protect patrons from harm, whether they are:
- Restaurants
- Nightclubs
- Breweries
- Hotels
- College campus
- Shopping malls
- Retail stores
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
The City of Boulder issues crime reports that reveal the extent of the problem. In a recent year, there were 521 assaults, 197 aggravated assaults, and 39 rapes in the city. Whether the attack was committed by a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or someone pursuing another crime, if it occurred on commercial property, you may have the right to seek compensation for all damages. The first step is an evaluation of the facts in your case.
Who Is Liable?
Under state law, property owners are required to maintain safe premises. In cases in which a property owner failed to provide adequate security, resolving a case requires naming all parties who hold liability, which could include:
- A property owner
- The individual or entity in possession of the property (a tenant)
- A property manager
- A security firm entrusted to protect patrons
When all of the liable parties are identified, a claim or lawsuit can be filed to seek compensatory damages. This legal action must be initiated by a skilled trial lawyer with a track record of success in premises liability cases. A settlement can be achieved through negotiations with the opposing party, or the case can be taken to civil court if fair compensation is not offered. These cases are often vigorously defended. It is imperative that you are represented by a trial lawyer who will craft a compelling case to present to a jury, fully supported by evidence, testimony, and facts.
What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Negligent Security Case?
If you are living with the aftermath of a physical attack, you may be unsure if you are entitled to compensation. As with other premises liability cases, in cases of negligent security, you have the right to pursue:
- Economic damages: These are the out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result of your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, costs of medications, rehabilitation, transportation, and other hard costs.
- General damages: These damages are more personal and reflect the pain and suffering you have experienced due to the attack, such as emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement, loss of quality of life, or permanent disabilities.
Choose the Tenge Law Firm, LLC
At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, we are a full-service firm that provides everything our clients need, including referrals to medical providers, professional investigators, financial experts, and others to support your claim. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements, arbitrations, and jury verdicts in nearly 30 years of practice.
We offer a free consultation and take negligent security cases on a contingency fee basis – you owe no legal fees unless we are successful. If you were the victim of an attack in Boulder, call a dedicated personal injury lawyer at (303) 665-2929 for assistance.