Per National Safety Council data, there are over 2 million incidents of workplace violence every year. It’s not enough for your employer to assume that a violent act will happen somewhere else – they have a legal duty to make a reasonable effort to keep you and your co-workers safe.
If you’ve been injured as a result of violence in the workplace, an experienced Alabama negligent security attorney can help you determine whether your employer should be held responsible. At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. we have decades of experience in those who have been injured because their employers failed to take the steps necessary to ensure a safe work environment. To schedule a free, initial consultation of your case, contact us today at (205) 933-1500.
Understanding Premises Liability
Premises liability is the area of law under which a property owner is held liable for someone’s injuries when they were harmed on the property owner’s land. Of course, property owners cannot be held liable in every situation. Certain elements must be proven to successfully pursue a claim for your injury.
The principal issue in most premises liability cases is proving that the property owner was negligent in some way. Perhaps they failed to maintain their property, or did not address dangerous conditions that they knew or should have known about. A question often asked in these scenarios is “what would an ordinarily prudent property owner do under similar circumstances?”
Once you’ve proven negligence, you will need to show that you had a legal right to be on the property, and that the owner’s negligence caused your injury. These elements are usually not challenging to prove in cases of workplace violence.
Workplace Security
In terms of workplace security, a business owner has a duty to keep their employees safe from violence and other harm. Failure to do so may constitute negligent security, and employers may be held liable for injuries that occur as a result of violent actions stemming from a lapse in adequate security.
Measures your employer can put in place to guard against workplace violence include:
- Secured entryways
- Video surveillance
- Security guards
- Identification requirements
- Alarm systems
- Enhanced lighting
- Education and awareness programs
Failing to provide these safety measures in your workplace may constitute negligent security. That said, it’s important to emphasize that your employer is not obligated to guard against every possible danger and do everything possible to prevent violence. They are obligated to make reasonable efforts to keep their employees safe, and what is considered negligent security will vary widely on a case-by-case basis.
Who is at Risk for Harm?
Some industries face increased safety risks, and employers in those industries, therefore, have a heightened obligation to keep their employees safe. People in the following jobs face increased risk of being injured due to violence in the workplace:
- Those who work early or late shifts
- People who deal with or have access to significant amounts of cash
- Individuals who work alone or in small groups in relatively isolated locations
- Food industry servers (particularly those who work where alcohol is served)
- Taxi drivers and other transportation professionals
Whether or not your employer was negligent in providing security will depend on the circumstances particular to where you work. For example, the following details may warrant increased security at your place of employment:
- Your job is located in a high-crime area
- There is a history of prior incidents involving violence or the threat of violence
- You or other employees have previously expressed safety concerns
Contact Our Alabama Negligent Security Lawyers Today
Workplace violence can happen anywhere or at any time. If your employer failed to keep you safe, then they may be held liable for your injuries and other losses. The negligent security lawyers at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. help victims across the state of Alabama fight for the compensation they deserve. If you’d like to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call us at (205) 933-1500, or contact us online to discuss how we can help.
