Four things to do after a negligent security incident include getting to a safe place and gathering evidence for a legal claim. It’s also important to hire a skilled West Palm Beach negligent security lawyer to help you pursue compensation.
An attorney can build your case, guide you through the legal process, and fight for the compensation you need to treat your injuries and cover any losses caused by the incident. Let’s take a closer look at the steps you should take after a negligent security incident and how a lawyer can help.
Get to Safety and Call 911
One of the most important things to do after a negligent security incident is ensuring you’re safe. You should do what you can to get away from the danger and call for help.
If you can move, leave the area where the attack or incident happened and find a safe, well-lit, populated spot. You might go to a locked car, a store, a neighbor’s home, or anywhere the attacker can’t reach you.
If you can’t move, stay as still and quiet as possible until help arrives. Call 911 as soon as it’s safe to do so. Tell the dispatcher where you are, what happened, and whether you need medical help. A 911 call creates an official record of the incident with a time stamp. This record can be used by an attorney later to build a strong claim for damages.
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Document the Scene Before You Leave
Another thing to do after a negligent security incident is to document the scene. If you’re physically able, and only if it’s safe to do so, try to capture as much information about the scene as possible before you leave.
Property owners can clean up, repair broken locks, and quietly erase the very conditions that allowed the attack to happen, so acting now to preserve evidence is important.
Here’s what you should do:
- Take photos and video of the area where the incident occurred, including any broken locks, gates, doors, or windows
- Photograph the lighting in parking lots and walkways, especially if it was dim or out
- Capture any missing or broken security equipment or cameras
- Look for surveillance cameras nearby and note their locations
- Photograph your injuries and the clothing you were wearing
- Get names and phone numbers of any witnesses before they leave
- Save any physical evidence, including torn clothing and broken personal items
Once you’ve gathered evidence and completed the four steps to take after a negligent security incident, an attorney can use everything you’ve gathered to build a strong claim for damages. Don’t wait too long to get in touch with a lawyer and get started on your case.
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Don’t Give a Statement to the Property’s Insurance Company
Another step to take after a negligent security incident is to avoid communication with insurers. Within days of the incident, you may get a call from an insurance adjuster representing the property owner. They’ll sound friendly and sympathetic, but their actual motivation is to limit what you receive from a claim.
Their job is to protect their company’s bottom line, and they will try to take every word you say out of context and use it to argue that the attack wasn’t the property’s fault. Remember, you are not required to give a recorded statement, sign anything, or answer their questions. Politely tell them your lawyer will be in touch and hang up the phone.
Your attorney will handle every conversation with the insurance company from that point forward, so you can focus on healing and have peace of mind knowing your case is in experienced hands.
Call or text 561-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
Call a West Palm Beach Negligent Security Lawyer
The thing you should do after a negligent security incident is to hire an attorney. These cases require proof that the property owner knew about prior crime in the area and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it, resulting in your injuries.
Building a strong case takes fast action, thorough investigation, and experience going up against powerful insurers who want to see your claim fail. A lawyer can preserve surveillance footage before it’s overwritten, identify every party who may share responsibility, and shut down insurance adjusters trying to pressure you into a lowball settlement.
The sooner you take action and hire an attorney, the stronger your case will be and the more likely you’ll receive compensation. Get in touch with an attorney today to learn more about what to do after a negligent security incident and get the assistance you deserve.
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Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Trusted Firm
If you were hurt because a property owner failed to take steps to keep their premises safe, you don’t have to figure out what comes next on your own. At GOLDLAW, we have more than 200 combined years of legal experience and have won more than $1 billion for injury victims.
At GOLDLAW, you’ll get a board-certified trial attorney and a dedicated legal team working your case from day one. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about the four things to do after a negligent security incident, and get started on your claim.
