You’ll only need to make a quick Google search of “premises liability,” or even, “can you sue your landlord if you’re injured on the property?” to generate a wealth of injury lawyers’ websites. Across the US and Canada, thousands of lawyers are ready to take on a case should a resident seek financial compensation. And should the building owner bear some legal responsibility, the resulting fallout can be both reputationally and financially problematic.
On a rainy early morning, just before 1:00 am, monitoring operators observing a Southeast Texas multifamily community observed two individuals engaging in a verbal altercation that rapidly escalated into a physical one, with one individual lobbing chairs at a second-floor balcony. Audible alarms were immediately activated, and local police dispatchers contacted with the details. Officers responded onsite, were observed patrolling the area, and a follow up call determined that one of the individuals had been taken into custody without further incident.
As the scenarios both above and below illustrate, proactive security measures that allow for quick interventions are critical, especially when apartment complex owners and managers can face significant liability risks when residents get into altercations or brandish firearms in common spaces. The principle of premises liability holds property owners accountable for ensuring the safety of their residents and visitors in common areas, such as sidewalks, pool areas, and stairways. A key aspect of this responsibility involves preventing foreseeable dangers, including criminal activities and altercations between tenants.
At approximately 10:30 pm, Stealth security professionals monitoring a Virginia apartment community observed two individuals loitering in the laundry facilities of the property. Just after appearing to make themselves comfortable and charge their phones, the pair began pulling firearms out of their pockets. Audible alarms were immediately activated, and the local police contacted regarding the incident. When responding officers arrived on site, they placed both individuals into custody.
“Premises liability centers around the definition of an “occupier,” according to Edward Bergeron, founding Partner at Bergeron Clifford Injury Lawyers, in Canadian Lawyer Magazine. “The landlord who owns the building may not be the occupier if someone else has ‘care and control.’ But the landlord is responsible for structural defects and may be ‘vicariously responsible’ for tenants’ behavior.”
The consequences of failing to meet these responsibilities are not merely theoretical. Landlords can be held liable for injuries resulting from altercations between tenants if they were aware of the danger and failed to act. This includes situations where the landlord has been informed of repeated assaults by a tenant and does nothing to address the problem, which could lead to them being liable for the injuries sustained by the victim.
Considering these risks, apartment community owners and managers should be diligent in implementing and maintaining security measures. This not only includes physical security enhancements like lighting, cameras, and access controls but also policies and procedures that help ensure tenant safety in common areas and during events or situations that could lead to altercations or other dangerous incidents.
The legal landscape underscores the importance of proactive risk management to mitigate the potential for violent incidents and the resulting liability. Engaging legal counsel familiar with premises liability law and implementing comprehensive security strategies are essential steps for property owners to protect both their residents and their business interests.
Proactive Live Video Monitoring: An Effective Support for Liability Risk Mitigation
At Stealth, we are committed to a simple yet powerful principle: Intercepting danger before it becomes disaster. Our sophisticated live video monitoring and surveillance solutions are engineered to provide comprehensive, real-time oversight of your multifamily property, empowering our team to identify and address suspicious or undesirable activities before they escalate.
By seamlessly blending highly trained security professionals with advanced surveillance technology, we possess the capability to detect suspicious or potentially violent behavior as it unfolds. Our vigilant monitoring operators stand ready to spring into action, leveraging onsite audio warnings and direct communication with law enforcement dispatchers to swiftly respond to potential threats.
Stealth’s remote monitoring solutions can help overcome the limitations of traditional on-site security personnel, offering expansive coverage without the logistical drawbacks, coverage gaps, or liability issues often associated with on-site guards. This round-the-clock layer of protection can help mitigate the need for costly overnight and weekend staffing, optimizing your security budget.
Transitioning to Stealth’s live video surveillance solutions not only promotes a sense of safety and security among your residents but can also help reduce your security-related expenditures by up to 60% when compared to traditional guard-based models.
Discover how Stealth can serve your property. Our multifamily residential security experts are eager to demonstrate how our cost-effective, technology-driven solutions can help minimize risks and ensure dependable surveillance for your property today. Contact us now to explore how our innovative security offerings can help protect your property with unparalleled efficiency.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
