Inadequate Security

Our Atlanta-based law firm has handled cases against many Georgia hotels, motels, gas stations, and apartment complexes, where people have been injured or killed as result of inadequate security.

In Georgia, landowners are required to take certain steps to keep their premises safe, particularly when they invite others onto the property for a business purpose. O.C.G.A. 51-3-1 provides: “Where an owner or occupier of land, by express or implied invitation, induces or leads others to come upon his premises for any lawful purpose, he is liable in damages to such persons for injuries caused by his failure to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe.” The basis of this law is that owners and occupiers of land have superior knowledge about problems with their own property.

Generally, inadequate security cases are focused upon violent acts committed against a customer of a store or gas station or a resident/guest at an apartment complex. Businesses and apartments located in areas with high crime rates generally have a duty to provide some measure of security for customers or residents. For example, a gas station located in an area with little or no crime may have a duty to provide only a small measure of security to customers. However, a gas station located in a “bad” part of town and an area with a high crime rate, unquestionably has a duty to provide sufficient and reasonable security. For example, in some instances security cameras may be sufficient, while other stations may require an actual security guard. Our firm has had substantial success litigating cases where premises owners fail to provide adequate security.

Apartment complexes have similar duties to protect their residents. We have handled cases involving assaults and shootings at residences where the management companies and owners of the complexes failed to provide adequate security after violent crimes on their properties. In some instances, routine fencing and controlled access for cars may be sufficient, while other apartment complexes require a patrolling security guard for the safety of residents.