A violent attack at a New Hampshire concert in late August left a 22-year-old woman paralyzed from the waist down. This represents another case of negligent security in which the concert facility/property owner failed to protect patrons.
These types of incidents occur in various places, ranging from concert venues, hotels and restaurants to retail stores, office buildings and parking lots and ramps. The scenarios often mean someone sustains serious and life-changing injuries in settings managed by irresponsible property owners and landlords.
Short on security and lighting
Here are some of the contributing factors of negligent security:
- Low number of security workers or poorly trained staff: This may have contributed to the New Hampshire concert attack. The presence of security serves as a deterrent. These workers monitor properties and the people on them. Proper training is essential, too.
- Poor lighting or lack of lighting: Darkness serves as an ideal backdrop for assailants seeking their next assault and robbery victims. Functioning lights must be present in parking ramps, hotel lobbies, stairwells and hallways.
- Non-working security cameras: In some situations, security cameras may be missing. These are essential tools for monitoring facilities. Regular maintenance of cameras and making sure they are situated in high-traffic areas is critical.
- Easily accessed doors and windows: Office buildings, apartment complexes, hotels and hotel rooms must have secure doors and windows. Criminals may tamper with poor locks and latches to gain access to areas.
Any of these situations can lead to trouble for the unsuspecting public often in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Taking responsibility
Negligent property owners must take the responsibility for their lack of action in premise liability incidents. In the New Hampshire case, the victim attempted to break up an altercation between two others when a man punched her, knocking her out. The blunt force to her spinal cord led to paralysis from the waist down. While authorities on Sept. 29 arrested a 33-year-old man and charged him with felony assault, it may not provide enough solace for the victim.