Erie, PA Negligent Security Lawyers
Inadequate Security Attorneys in Erie, PA, Advocate for the Rights of Clients Hurt Due to Poor Security Measures on Others’ Property in Erie County, Crawford County, and Throughout Pennsylvania
Have you been hurt due to violent or criminal activity on someone else’s property? When a third party was able to commit a criminal or violent act because of inadequate security, you may have the right to hold the property owner accountable for your harm and loss. The Erie, PA, negligent security lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., can help you seek accountability from negligent business or property owners who had inadequate security measures in place. Since 2010, our firm has fought to protect the rights of injury victims in Erie and throughout northwest Pennsylvania. Our team has decades of combined experience in personal injury law and insurance defense. We take a collaborative approach to working on clients’ cases, using our collective experience and knowledge to forge effective solutions and strategies.
When you’ve been injured because of negligent security on somebody else’s property, get legal help to demand financial recovery and justice from the property or business owner. Contact Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., for a free initial claim review to learn how our inadequate security attorneys in Erie, PA, will fight to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.
What Is Negligent Security?
In New Jersey, premises liability laws require property owners to keep their premises safe for occupants and visitors. Ensuring the safety of people who enter a property includes providing reasonable security measures. What constitutes “reasonable” security depends on the nature of the property and the potential risks of criminal or violent activity. Reasonable security measures might involve ensuring that doors and windows have functioning locks. But reasonable security might also involve installing surveillance cameras or having trained security personnel stationed on or near the property.
When an occupant or a visitor gets hurt due to criminal or violent activity on a property, the property owner may be liable for those injuries if the criminal or violent activity was able to occur due to inadequate security measures for the property. For example, if an apartment owner fails to install locks or gates on exterior doors or if a shopping mall operator fails to put adequate lighting in the parking garage, they may bear liability when an occupant or visitor suffers injuries during a crime or violent attack.
How Do You Prove That You Suffered Injuries Due to Negligent Security?
In a negligent security case, a person is injured due to the criminal or violent acts of third parties. Because there is a third party directly responsible for the harm suffered by an injured victim, proving a property or business owner’s liability in a negligent security claim can be a challenging task. You may need various kinds of evidence to prove that the property had inadequate security or that additional security measures would have prevented the criminal or violent activity. This evidence might include:
- Photos or videos of the property, including documentation of broken or missing security measures like locks, gates, or lighting.
- Crime reports or other documentation establishing a heightened risk of criminal or violent activity
- Witness testimony regarding the activities of security personnel
- Expert testimony regarding what appropriate security measures would look like
How Can the Erie, PA Negligent Security Lawyers at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. Help You Recover Compensation
After getting injured due to violent or criminal activity that was facilitated by negligent security on someone else’s property, you deserve to seek financial recovery for your harm and loss. However, property or business owners will fight hard to avoid liability for injuries that were caused in part by the wrongful acts of third parties. Let our inadequate security attorneys in Erie, PA, help you hold negligent property owners accountable for poor security by:
- Investigating the incident that caused your injuries and recovering evidence to show that the violent or criminal act that injured you happened because of the property or business owner’s negligent security measures
- Documenting your injuries and ongoing and future losses to ensure we pursue the full financial recovery you need
- Filing your legal claims and dealing with company representatives and insurance adjusters on your behalf so you can focus on your physical recovery
- Aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for you, whether through a vigorously negotiated settlement or by taking your case to court and trial to fight for the financial relief and justice you deserve
Contact Our Inadequate Security Attorneys in Erie, PA, for a Free Case Evaluation
If you’ve suffered injuries or harm due to criminal or violent activity on someone else’s property facilitated by inadequate security on the property, you may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., today for a free, no-obligation consultation to speak with our Erie, PA, negligent security lawyers about your legal options.
Notable Results
Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. publishes the following results.
$1.25 Million verdict · $700,000 settlement
Read more about these results
- $1.25 million verdict: McKean County car accident. Read the source account.
- $700,000 settlement: Motorcycle fatality; the underinsured motorist carrier paid the policy limits. Read the source account.
- $325,000 settlement: Truck driver’s injury claim grown from an initial offer of zero in six months. Read the source account.
- $260,000 evaluation: Rear-end accident underinsured motorist claim. Read the source account.
- $200,000 settlement: Pennsylvania premises liability case. Read the source account.
- $185,000 settlement: Accident settlement for a C5-C6 herniation requiring vertebral fusion. Read the source account.
Read the firm’s published results
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
What Our Clients Say
These excerpts describe experiences with the firm. They are not identified as cases in this practice area and do not predict another outcome.
“It was wonderful to work with Mark Harrington & Elaine Valentine. Their expertise & clear guidance were invaluable during a challenging time.”
— Karen · Read the full Google review
“The staff at Purchase George & Murphey is very nice and helpful. I always had my phone calls returned and emails answered in a timely manner. Tim George is very passionate, confident and interested in what is best to help you.”
— Peyton · Read the full Google review
Frequently Asked Questions About Negligent Security in Erie, PA
What is the deadline for filing a negligent security claim?
Under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations for negligence claims, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit after suffering injuries due to negligent security on someone else’s property. However, you should not wait to speak with our Erie, PA, negligent security lawyers about your legal claims. If you file a lawsuit after the limitations period ends for your negligent security claim, the trial court can permanently dismiss your case, and you may lose the right to recover compensation.
How much money can I recover in a negligent security case?
After suffering injuries because of negligent security on another’s property, you may have the right to recover compensation for financial and personal losses you suffer due to criminal or violent acts committed against you, including:
- Repair or replacement costs for damaged, destroyed, or stolen property
- Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation for injuries
- Costs of long-term care for disabilities that result from your injuries
- Ongoing and future losses of income and job benefits if you become temporarily or permanently disabled from your job or other forms of employment
- Physical pain and anguish
- Emotional trauma or distress
- Loss of quality of life due to disabilities or permanent scarring/disfigurement
Awards & Recognition
- AV Preeminent® — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating for ethics and legal ability.
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers — all three firm principals named to the list; Craig Murphey has been selected every year since 2011 and Eric Purchase every year since 2013.
- The Best Lawyers in America® — Craig Murphey listed since 2012 and named “Lawyer of the Year” for the Pittsburgh region in Personal Injury–Defense (2017) and Insurance Law (2019 and 2023); Tim Riley listed since 2008.
- Avvo — 10.0 “Superb” rating and Client’s Choice Awards for criminal defense and DUI defense.
- The National Trial Lawyers — Top 100 Trial Lawyers.