Q: What if I am attacked in the parking lot of a business? What duty does the owner of the parking lot have for any injuries I suffer?

A:

Businesses usually have a financial incentive to have a parking lot for use of their customers. So therefore, like a bar owner they have a responsibility for protecting their clientele. However, more is required in order to hold the property owner liable for attacks in parking lots. The nature and scope of the property in the defendant’s possession or control is a crucial factor in determining liability for criminal acts of third parties. Typically, it is necessary to show that the owner of the property knew or should have known that such crimes as the one committed were foreseeable under the circumstances. Where the attack occurs in a “non-public area,” however, a different standard applies that will make it considerably more difficult to impose liability on the owner.