Property owners and managers in Sevierville have an obligation to keep their premises safe for lawful visitors, and that includes providing adequate security measures.
If you have been hurt on someone else’s property due to inadequate security, Tennessee law gives you the right to seek compensation for what you have suffered. However, negligent security claims can be particularly challenging to win. They are best handled by an experienced premises liability attorney.
The Terry Law Firm is ready to stand with you. Our team brings more than 90 years of combined legal experience to every case. We know how to take on negligent property owners in Sevierville and throughout East Tennessee. Let us investigate the incident, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact The Terry Law Firm today to speak with our Sevierville negligent security lawyers in a free consultation.
What Negligent Security Means Under Tennessee Premises Liability Law
Tennessee premises liability laws hold property owners responsible when unsafe conditions on their properties cause harm to visitors. For example, premises liability claims can arise from slip-and-fall incidents, dog bites, or swimming pool accidents due to poor property maintenance or inadequate safety measures. In some cases, premises liability can also stem from inadequate security measures.
Negligent security scenarios happen when property owners fail to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. Negligent security cases often involve situations such as assaults in parking lots, robberies in shopping centers, fights in bars, or attacks at hotels or apartment complexes.
Courts in Tennessee determine whether a property owner was negligent in providing inadequate security to protect visitors by examining whether the crime was predictable. Criminal activity might be considered predictable based on past incidents, the property’s location, or warnings that the owner ignored.
For example, if a business is in an area that is a known hotspot for criminal activity, the owner might have a duty to provide safeguards like trained security personnel, security lighting, locks, and video monitoring. If they fail to do so, and a visitor suffers harm as a result, the injured visitor may hold the property owner accountable by filing a negligent security claim.
Steps Involved in Filing a Negligent Security Claim in Sevierville
The process of filing a negligent security claim includes several key steps that serve to establish the facts, preserve evidence, and potentially move your case through the courts. Some examples of common steps include:
- Reporting the incident to local law enforcement or property management
- Getting medical care and keeping detailed records of all treatments
- Gathering evidence such as photos, videos, and witness contact information
- Identifying prior security complaints or crime reports connected to the property
- Consulting a lawyer at The Terry Law Firm who handles negligent security cases in Sevierville
- Your lawyer notifying the property owner and their insurer of your claim
- Filing the official complaint in the appropriate Tennessee court
- Taking part in discovery by providing documents and answering questions
- Attending mediation or settlement talks if necessary
- Preparing for trial if the case does not resolve earlier
Common Challenges Victims Face in Negligent Security Lawsuits
Even if you suffer serious harm because of a crime on someone else’s property, the owner and their insurer might argue that the incident was unpredictable, unavoidable, or unrelated to their actions. You need an experienced premises liability attorney who can refute such assertions.
Some examples of challenges you might see in a negligent security claim include:
- Foreseeability – Defendants might argue that the crime was too unusual or unexpected to predict since prior incidents nearby were not similar enough to make the specific attack foreseeable.
- Causation disputes – A property owner might argue that the lack of security was not connected to your injuries by contending that the crime still would have occurred even with additional security measures.
- Comparative fault – The owner or their insurer might try to reduce or eliminate their liability by saying that you ignored safety warnings or knowingly entered a dangerous situation.
- Adequate security measures – Owners sometimes point to existing security, such as camera systems, and claim that additional safety measures were unnecessary under the circumstances.
- Third-party fault – Some defendants try to shift all responsibility to the criminal, arguing that the attacker’s actions were so extreme that no amount of security could have prevented them.
How Sevierville’s Unique Businesses and Tourism Impact Negligent Security Cases
Sevierville’s economy runs on tourism. The city draws millions of visitors every year to its outlet malls, family attractions, and lodging near the Smoky Mountains. The steady flow of tourists creates both opportunity and risk for local property owners and visitors. High visitor traffic can encourage theft and other crimes, which makes security especially important in Sevierville.
Tourist-oriented businesses like hotels, resorts, amusements, and shopping centers often face large crowds and unfamiliar guests. The environment can make crimes more likely than they might be in smaller or less busy locations. Owners of properties in high-traffic areas with histories of criminal activity might need safety measures like lighting improvements, surveillance systems, or security staff.
In Sevierville, negligent security cases often turn on whether property owners took appropriate precautions given the size and nature of their operations. Courts reviewing incidents here will weigh the local crime data, the type of business, and whether the owner should have anticipated the risks that come with operating in a major tourist destination.
What a Premises Liability Attorney Can Do for You
Negligent security cases require careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of premises liability law. When you hire our Sevierville negligent security attorneys, you have someone ready to provide both.
Here are a few examples of what a premises liability attorney from The Terry Law Firm can do for you:
- Investigate the crime scene and collect key evidence
- Review police reports and identify important details
- Obtain surveillance footage from the property
- Gather witness statements to support your account
- Research the property’s history of criminal incidents
- Consult security experts to evaluate safety practices
- Calculate your claim value based on medical bills, lost income, and other losses
- File all documents within the relevant deadlines
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
- Challenge defenses raised by the property owner’s attorneys
- Represent you in mediation or settlement talks
- Present your case at trial if a settlement is not feasible
Work With a Sevierville Negligent Security Lawyer Who Fights for Your Rights
If you suffered harm because of negligent security in Sevierville, do not wait to get trusted legal guidance. Contact The Terry Law Firm for your free case review now. We are ready to review your situation, explain your options, and guide you through the claims process from start to finish.