El Paso Lawyer for Third-Party Criminal Conduct

Premises Liability Attorney for Inadequate Security Claims in Texas

Everyone has the right to feel safe - and be safe - while out in public. When visiting a business such as a bar or restaurant, the business has a duty to ensure that its premises are kept reasonably secure. When a business owner or manager is aware that crime has been a concern in their establishment, they have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent their patrons from becoming victims. Should an establishment's management choose not to take steps to prevent further dangerous criminal activity, they can be held liable for third-party criminal conduct that injures a patron.

The Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC can help if you were injured due to criminal activity that was permitted to be carried out on a business's premises. This is a type of premises liability case that is used to recover compensation after becoming the victim of a crime that should have been prevented by the establishment you were visiting. Filing a third-party criminal conduct case can not only secure compensation for your injuries, but it can also force the business to take steps to prevent what happened to you from happening to others.

El Paso Attorney Explains Third-Party Criminal Conduct Lawsuits

When we file this type of lawsuit on your behalf, we are alleging that the proprietor of the business you were at when you were injured had a duty to prevent the crime you fell victim to. To get there, we must be able to prove a few things.

First, it must be proven that the proprietor had notice that crime was taking place on their premises. Note that if the business had a dedicated parking lot, the parking lot is considered a part of their premises. For example, if a nightclub owner is aware that several women have been sexually assaulted inside the club and does nothing to prevent further attacks, this requirement is likely satisfied. The same is likely true if a grocery store owner is aware that several people have been mugged in the store's parking area.

There must also be reasonable measures the proprietor could have taken to prevent further crime, but chose not to. The nightclub owner likely should have hired additional bouncers to protect female patrons. The grocery store owner likely should have, at a minimum, installed conspicuous security cameras as a deterrent or made staff available to escort customers to their vehicles.

While not all crimes in public establishments can be prevented by property owners, there is a duty to take reasonable steps to guard the safety of patrons. Establishments that fail to meet this duty may be held liable for injuries or damages suffered by crime victims.

Recoverable Damages in a Third-Party Criminal Conduct Case

Being injured due to criminal conduct can be a costly experience. You may have lost personal property that will be difficult and expensive to replace, such as your handbag, your wallet, or even your car. You may have suffered a personal injury and incurred significant medical expenses while losing income due to an inability to work. You may have been traumatized by your experience, and you may need counseling or other forms of treatment.

These are the types of costs that you can likely recover in a third-party criminal conduct case. When the criminal themselves cannot be caught, your best option for recovering damages is likely to pursue a premises liability case against the establishment where the crime occurred. Cal will carefully add up the costs and losses you have experienced as a result of the preventable crime against you in order to ensure that you are receiving the most possible compensation after going through such a terrible experience.

Contact an El Paso Third-Party Criminal Conduct Attorney

If you have been the victim of a crime while on a business's premises, the Cal Mundell Law Firm, PLLC may be able to recover significant compensation on your behalf. Please contact us at 915-250-0700 for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis, so you will not owe us anything unless we are able to recover money for you.