Malfunctioning Surveillance Cameras And Premises Liability Claims
Surveillance cameras support safety in and around commercial and residential properties. When functioning properly, they deter criminal activity and provide valuable evidence in the event of an incident. But when cameras fail to capture important footage, property owners may be held liable for injuries or crimes.
If you’ve been harmed due to negligent security, pursue justice. An experienced Baltimore personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong premises liability claim. Contact a legal professional and protect your rights.
The Role of Surveillance Cameras
A specific area of premises liability law, negligent security rules are in place to hold property owners responsible when they fail to maintain adequate safety measures. This can include a lack of security personnel, poor lighting, broken locks, or faulty or absent surveillance cameras.
In Baltimore, premises liability laws require property owners to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. If an individual is injured in a crime or accident that could have been prevented with proper security measures, the property owner may be liable for damages.
Cameras are one of the most common security measures. They serve a couple of important functions.
- Deterrence of criminal activity. The presence of cameras can discourage criminal behavior by making it clear that the property is being monitored. Potential offenders may be less likely to commit a crime if they believe they will be recorded and later identified.
- Collection of evidence. When a crime or accident occurs, security footage can provide crucial evidence for identifying suspects, understanding the sequence of events, and supporting legal claims. This evidence can be especially important when a victim is unable to provide a full account of what happened.
Of course, when these cameras malfunction, due to poor maintenance, technical issues, or a lack of regular monitoring, their ability to fulfill these functions is compromised.
Malfunctioning Cameras and Premises Liability Claims
After suffering injuries on someone else’s property where cameras were on site but they were not working properly, you may have grounds to file a claim. To strengthen your case, you will need to prove that the property owner had a legal obligation to provide reasonable security measures to protect you from harm and that they failed to uphold this duty.
Next, there needs to be evidence that the malfunctioning cameras directly contributed to your injury. For example, if the cameras had been working, they may have deterred the crime or the footage could have helped identify the perpetrator.
A skilled Baltimore personal injury lawyer knows how to gather evidence and connect with security experts to assess whether the cameras were properly maintained and functioning. They will also negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for your losses and, if needed, take your case to court.
Could a working surveillance camera have protected you from harm? If you were injured on someone else’s property due to a malfunctioning security camera, have a conversation with the attorneys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP to discuss seeking compensation for your losses. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.
