When you step into a business or any other type of residence, you are owed certain protections under California law. If you have been hurt in a liquor store due to negligent security, you may have a claim. With the help of a California premises liability lawyer at Maison Law, we can ensure that your rights are being protected and that you have the necessary resources to move forward with a case against an at-fault party. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free and completely confidential case consultation.
Inherent Dangers of Liquor Stores
Research has shown that areas with an increase in liquor stores tend to experience more incidents of violence. A number of studies, according to the Prevention Research Center, have found that there is a high rate of violence in neighborhoods where there is a high density of places to receive alcohol such as bars, liquor stores, and other businesses where alcohol is available to purchase. More assaults and violent crimes are likely to occur in these areas.
In fact, in one six-year study taken in California, it was found that there was an increase in violence with an increase in the number of bars and liquor stores when 551 cities were studied. These effects were seen in the largest capacity in areas that were below poverty level.
Because liquor stores can sometimes be a magnet to crime that is non-violent and also violent in nature, steps must be taken to protect customers in these areas. Therefore, if you are injured in a liquor store because precautions were not taken to keep your safety in mind, you could have a negligent security claim.
Do You Have a Claim After a Liquor Store Attack?
It is not always easy to determine that you have a premises liability claim under negligent security laws after an attack or another crime at a liquor store. There are some aspects that you will need to show, which include the following:
A Crime Took Place: Proving that a crime took place against you is one of the most important elements of having a liquor store negligent security claim. Some types of criminal cases that tend to lead to injuries in these areas include assault, theft, mass shootings, sexual assault, and even murder.
You Sustained Injuries: You can bring a claim against a liquor store owner or property owner by proving that you sustained injuries due to the criminal incident on their property. Injuries that stem from negligent security claims include head injuries, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, wounds, and death in the most severe cases.
You Were on Someone Else’s Property: To bring a negligent security claim, the criminal incident must have taken place on another person’s residential or commercial property. As a customer at a liquor store, you had a right to be there and make a purchase when the attack happened. This is all that you will need to show in your case.
Negligence Occurred: If you can show that the property owner of a liquor store acted negligently, you can bring a successful negligent security claim. Perhaps they did not take adequate security measures such as having lighting in their parking lot at night. Maybe they failed to warn customers that there were high incidents of crime in the area. These are aspects that you will have to show in regards to your claim.
Steps to Take After a Crime in a Liquor Store
The steps that you take after a crime has occurred at a liquor store can help you protect your rights in a negligent security claim. What you do can impact the future of your claim, which is why you want to keep these important steps in mind:
- Call the police, who will investigate the scene and document any evidence related to the crime.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. You want to show that you cared for your own well-being after an attack.
- Take any photographs or videos of the location and the injuries you have sustained.
- Go to any follow-up medical care.
- Don’t speak to any insurance companies without the help of your lawyer.
If you are successful in your negligent security claim against a liquor store, you may be eligible for an array of financial damages. These can include medical bills, lost wages, emotional damage, and others that can help you get back on your feet during these difficult times.
Contact Maison Law After a Negligent Security Incident at a Liquor Store
If you have suffered from a criminal incident in a California liquor store, it can be beneficial to have proper legal support on your side. At Maison Law, our California negligent security lawyers believe in providing necessary resources to victims of negligent security-related incidents throughout California. We will stand up to major companies and help you obtain the financial support that you need to heal. Contact us today for a completely confidential and free case consultation. We will not get paid until we win your claim for you.
