Each year the FBI releases data on violent crimes throughout the country. Consistently, the FBI in their Uniform Crime Report find that over a million violent crimes are “reported” each year. Individuals generally rely on security when they are at bars, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, or apartments. Many victims of these violent crimes are unaware that they may have the right to seek compensation as a result of being the victim of a crime.
A landlord, commercial property owner, or business owner has a duty under New Jersey law to take reasonable precautions to protect its tenants or customers from foreseeable criminal activity. [i] Foreseeability of risk is the main factor courts look at when determining whether to hold a defendant liable for a breach of their duty to provide adequate security. [ii]
“Foreseeability does not depend on whether the exact incident or occurrences were foreseeable. The question is whether an incident of that general nature was reasonably foreseeable.” [iii] “Evidence of prior similar incidents on the premises would place a shopkeeper on notice that its customers may be in danger of being criminally assaulted. [iv]
Here at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., we provide high-caliber representation to New York / New Jersey personal injury victims and their families. Contact our office at 1 (888) GINARTE for free consultation and we will make sure your rights are not lost. You can also use our online contact form.