Our Clayton County, GA premises liability crime victim lawyer knows that when a serious injury or crime occurs on someone else’s property, the victim has the right to seek compensation and pursue legal action. The property owner has the responsibility to maintain a safe environment. If they fail to do this, then they can and should be held accountable when harm occurs. The victim of such a crime must take the right next steps so that they can move forward and recover damages. We are the team clients have trusted for over 40 years to help victims seek compensation. If you need help, reach out to the trusted legal team at Deitch + Rogers. We offer free consultations and solely represent those who have been the victims of crimes. When you are ready, give our firm a call.
How Does A Property Owner’s Negligence Contribute To Crime-Related Injuries?
A property owner is required by law to take reasonable measures to keep their property safe. At apartment complexes, shopping centers, or parking garages, the property owner would need to do things such as securing entrances, responding to security threats, and maintaining the lights around the facility. If the owner does not address these crime risks, then it is possible they would be held liable if someone is the victim of a crime or seriously injured because of criminal activity.
As our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer knows, negligence can take many forms. This can mean there are non-functional locks, no security personnel (or not enough), broken security cameras, or even the owner did not warn tenants of known dangers. If a property owner disregards these responsibilities, then they put their tenants and visitors at risk for things such as shootings, robberies, and assaults. Thus, if a crime happens because of these failures, then the victim would likely have a premises liability claim.
Understanding The Steps To Take After A Premises Liability Crime
When you have suffered a serious injury due to a crime, you must get medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries may not be immediately clear so your medical records will be essential for providing documentation for any legal claim you will want to bring forward. Next, it is important that you report the crime to law enforcement. A police report can be used as key evidence when you are trying to prove that the incident actually occurred and that it happened as a result of negligence on behalf of the property owner.
It can also be helpful to document the scene even though it may be difficult for you to take in. Writing down notes and taking pictures of things such as your injuries and security failures can prove crucial to your case and help you win compensation.
Let Us Help You Get Compensation For Your Premises Liability Crime Case
When you have suffered from injuries or experienced other types of loss as a result of the property you were on, it is important to fight for compensation for things like pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. Knowing that you have the right legal support is crucial. When you want to pursue compensation, turn to the team at Deitch + Rogers. Call our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer today.
Using Surveillance Footage For Premises Liability Crime
Our Clayton County, GA premises liability crime victim lawyer knows that surveillance footage can be a key piece of evidence in premises liability crime cases. When a crime happens on someone else’s property, the property owner may be held responsible if they failed to maintain a safe environment. Security cameras often capture important details that can strengthen a claim and support a case for compensation. We have over 40 years of experience working on premises liability crimes and are ready to take your call.
How Surveillance Footage Supports A Premises Liability Case
Security footage can provide clear evidence of how an incident occurred and whether the property owner took reasonable steps to prevent it. For example, if a person is assaulted in a poorly lit parking lot, surveillance footage can show the lighting conditions, security measures in place, and whether staff were present to respond to the threat. This type of evidence helps establish whether the property owner failed to provide adequate security or address known risks.
Video footage can also confirm details about the perpetrator and the sequence of events leading up to the crime. If the footage shows that security personnel were absent or slow to respond, that may support a claim that the property owner was negligent in protecting visitors. In many cases, surveillance footage becomes one of the most reliable forms of evidence, reducing disputes over what happened and who was at fault.
Challenges With Accessing And Preserving Footage
Our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer knows that one of the biggest issues with surveillance footage is that it can be erased or overwritten if not preserved quickly. Many security systems automatically delete old footage after a certain period. If the property owner or management company controls the footage, they may hesitate to provide it unless a formal request or subpoena is issued.
It’s important to act quickly after a crime occurs to secure any available video evidence. Requesting a preservation letter from the property owner or filing a motion with the court can prevent the footage from being deleted. If the footage is lost or intentionally destroyed, that could support a claim of spoliation of evidence, which may strengthen the case.
Proving Negligence Through Surveillance Footage
To hold a property owner responsible for a premises liability crime, it must be shown that they were negligent in maintaining a safe environment. Surveillance footage can demonstrate that the property owner knew about dangerous conditions or previous criminal activity but failed to take proper action.
For instance, if the footage reveals that the property had a history of break-ins or assaults, but no additional security measures were implemented, that may indicate negligence. Similarly, if the video shows that security cameras were not working or that staff ignored suspicious behavior before the crime, that evidence can support a claim.
How We Can Help
Using surveillance footage effectively in a premises liability case requires a thorough understanding of what to look for and how to present it as evidence. At Deitch + Rogers, we help clients build strong cases by analyzing security footage, identifying key details, and using that evidence to hold property owners accountable. If you’ve been the victim of a crime on someone else’s property, contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and learn how our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer can help you seek compensation.
Using The Police Report For Your Premises Liability Claim
When someone gets hurt on someone else’s property, our Clayton County, GA premises liability crime victim lawyer knows that the steps we take afterward can directly impact how strong our legal case becomes. One of the most important pieces of documentation we can use is the police report. In premises liability claims—like slip and falls, inadequate security cases, or unsafe property conditions—this report can make a real difference. It is important to speak with your lawyer about their values and how they can help you. We helped one client who was a victim of a rape at her apartment settle her case for $1.275 million. Here’s how a police report can support our case and why we should always consider filing one after an incident.
- It Creates an Official Record of What Happened. A police report provides a written account from a neutral third party. This can help confirm that the incident actually occurred and establish key details, such as the time, location, and nature of the injury. Having an official document gives our case more weight and avoids disputes over basic facts.
- It Preserves Witness Information. Often, officers at the scene will collect names and contact details for any witnesses. This can be helpful later if we need someone to back up our version of events. It also saves us the trouble of tracking people down later, especially if they were just passing by and aren’t personally connected to us.
- It May Include Observations About the Property Conditions. Police officers typically note visible hazards at the scene—like wet floors, broken lighting, or missing warning signs. These observations can support our claim that the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment. When the officer writes this down at the time of the incident, it can carry more weight than our own statements.
- It Helps Establish a Timeline. As our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer understands, timing can be important in premises liability cases. The report can help show when we were injured, how quickly help arrived, and how the property owner responded. This timeline can be useful when comparing our actions to those of the property owner or manager, especially if there are questions about delayed responses or lack of action.
- It May Include Admissions or Statements From Others Involved. Sometimes, a property owner or employee may make a comment at the scene that gets included in the report—such as admitting a hazard was there or saying they knew about a problem. These statements can support our case and show that the risk wasn’t a surprise to them.
- It Shows That We Took the Incident Seriously. Filing a police report helps demonstrate that we responded to the incident in a responsible and timely way. It shows that we didn’t just ignore the injury or exaggerate it later. This kind of follow-up can give our claim more credibility in the eyes of the insurance company or the court.
- It Can Support Medical Records and Other Evidence. When the police report lines up with our medical records, photos, or witness statements, it strengthens our case. Consistency across all forms of evidence helps prove that the incident really happened the way we said it did and that our injuries were caused by unsafe property conditions.
Help With Your Premises Liability Claim
If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, whether it’s a restaurant, a home, or at school, taking action quickly can make a big difference in the strength of your claim. At Deitch + Rogers, we help clients gather the right documentation—like police reports—and use it to build a solid premises liability case. Contact our Clayton County premises liability crime victim lawyer today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help protect your rights.