Thousands of victims are seriously injured every year because business owners fail to provide adequate security and personal protection for their customers, their employees and their residents. These injuries are caused by criminals. Criminal acts are reasonably foreseeable. Criminal acts are predictable. Criminal acts may be preventable.
Find out more about Security Rights.
Find out more about Lead Poisoning.
Criminal assaults at a business, hotel, apartment complex or any other premises, can be challenging and complex. Immediate and thorough investigation is not only critical, but necessary to collect information and evidence that may be lost or destroyed over time. Initial investigation and preparation include:
Grid Search. Typically obtained from local law enforcement, a grid search will yield a summary of all reported criminal activity in a general area. Included in the grid search is the type of activity, when it occurred and other patterns of criminal behavior.
Prior Litigation. A quick check of prior lawsuits and settlements will yield clues as to prior occurrences.
Insurance Coverage/ Exclusions. It is important to obtain insurance policies, declaration sheets, and other information to determine the type of coverage and whether any occurrences are excluded pursuant to the policy.
Relationship between the parties.
Prior Criminal Record of the Victim and the Perpetrator.
Aerial Photos of the Site. Overhead photos are relatively inexpensive or free. The same may yield clues as to the foreseeability of the crime or assault.
Surveillance Cameras. Many commercial businesses have surveillance cameras. While the quality may vary, the same may be an invaluable resource to document the occurrence. It is important to obtain the tape as soon as possible as most businesses destroy or reuse the tape after a short period of time.
911 Tapes. Emergency calls, like surveillance tapes, are critical to document the nature, extent and circumstances surrounding a criminal event. However, most law enforcement agencies dispose of such tapes within 30 days. Thus, it is imperative to request such information as soon as possible.
Qualified Experts. Premises security cases typically require the assistance of qualified, competent, expert witnesses. Such witnesses may include a behavioral expert, architect, criminal profiler, reconstructionist and the like.
These crimes are horrible...I urge you to hold the responsible parties at fault. Get the help that you need and deserve. Let us help answer your questions.
If you have been injured or you know of someone that has suffered an injury caused by the failure to provide adequate security, please contact my law office to discuss your rights to pursue fair and adequate compensation.
If you have any questions about your rights or my law practice, please feel to send me an email or call me, 800.269.3443. All consultations are confidential and at no charge.
Doehrman & Chamberlain
10333 North Meridian Street Suite 100
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290