Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases

Every Pennsylvania crime victim has the right to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages from the perpetrator or other parties whose unreasonable conduct resulted in a crime.

Every year, the number of crime victims in America reaches nearly 30,000,000.

Often, the consequences of crime extend far beyond the criminal act. In many cases, crime victims are left with expenses for medical care, surgeries, physical rehabilitation, counseling, lost wages and property damage. In the United States, crime costs our society roughly $450 billion every year.

Fortunately, you may have several ways to recover money for your injuries and expenses, including:

Restitution

A Pennsylvania criminal court may order a perpetrator to reimburse certain expenses incurred by you, your survivors, or persons who have become responsible for your maintenance and support as a result of a crime. Unfortunately, even when a Pennsylvania court orders restitution, it is often not collected. This lack of enforcement, combined with limits on the type of damages that may be included in a restitution order, often result in restitution falling far short of meeting your needs.

Pennsylvania State Crime Victim Compensation

Compensation may be available from Pennsylvania’s crime victim compensation fund. These funds are designed to reimburse you for certain losses and expenses resulting from the crime, such as funeral expenses, medical bills, counseling fees, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs you incur. The amount of compensation may be reduced by amounts that you have received from insurance or other sources.

In addition, Pennsylvania state law provides limits on how much money can be given for an individual crime or a particular type of loss. There are also other restrictions on eligibility for crime victim compensation.

Civil Lawsuit

Often, restitution and crime-victim compensation do not cover your full economic losses, and neither source pays anything for hard-to-quantify damages such as pain and suffering. A civil lawsuit may provide you with more complete compensation.

---

Blog for Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases

• Woman sexually assaulted in apartment invasion in West Philadelphia near U of P
• Boston Cabbie Sexual Assaults Can Happen Anywhere
• Gun shop sued by mother of man slain in Missouri mall
• Rape Victim Wins $875,000 Settlement in Apartment Security Case
• Security Expert Predicts Increased Violence During Holiday Shopping due to Poor Economy
• Lack of Security May have been Factor in Philadelphia K-Mart Shooting
• Shooting In Philadelphia K-Mart Example of Potential Claim against Department Store. In Similar Case in Miami, Jury Awards $8 Million for Fatal Claim
• Holiday Shopping Deadly for Some
• Mall Shooting in Georgia Injures Two
• Pittsburgh Civil Lawsuit on behalf of rape victim against shopping mall goes to Trial
• Improve Your Security at Home with 3 simple suggestions
• Brady Center Sues Utah Gun Shop that Illegally Sold Firearm to Shooter in Shopping Mall Massacre
• Your Home May be Your Castle But Landlords Have Limited Liability, If Any, in Pennsylvania For Criminal Acts of Third Parties
• Fatal Stabbing at Vy Da Sports Club in South Philadelphia Demands Immediate Investigation If Lawsuit Against the Bar is Considered
• Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence files Amicus Brief Asking U.S. Supreme Court to Prohibit Convicted Domestic Violence Abusers to Possess Guns
• Stabbling Outside Philadelphia Center City Night Club Needs Immediate Investigation If Claim Against Owner Is Considered
• Philadelphia Jury Awards $5.5 million for Family Members of Slain Hahnemann Hospital Parking Lot Attendant
• Owners of Parking Lots and Established Public Areas Have a Duty to Protect Invitees from Forseeable Risk of Harm

---

Library for Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases:

• The Brady Center Takes Alaska Gun Dealer to Court for Supplying Rifle to Fugitive Murderer   
• Fatally shot club patron sues LA Club for inadequate security and negligent hiring   
  Description: Patron at LA nightclub where gang members frequented was shot. His estate brought claim and settled due to negligent hiring, supervision and training of employees, and failure to provide adequate security. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Failure to provide adequate security or warnings at apartment results in liability for decedent   
  Description: A Florida Jury in Palm Beach County awarded the estate of a man who was visiting his sister when he was shot and killed outside her apartment due to lack of security and warnings. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Several recent tragic injuries and shootings have been reported across the country involving holiday shopping   
  Description: An increase in violence at shopping malls and store may increase due to the worsening economy says Security Expert, Ralph Witherspoon. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Similar Shooting In Philadelphia K-Mart Example of Potential Claim against Department Store   
  Description: Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Where Crime Victim Injured Due to Intentional Act of Third Person, Insurance Coverage May Not be Available   
  Description: In lawsuits for civil damages for the criminal acts of third persons, the question of available insurance coverage is always an issue. When alleging the harm committed, crime victims need to be careful to allege negligence acts to fall within the insurance coverage since intentional acts are typically excluded from coverage. In addition, Pennsylvania appellate courts have held that restitution cannot be covered by insurance as it is against public policy and defeats the purpose of restitution as a means of rehabilitation of the convicted person. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Malls with a history of crime need to consider the security steps being taken to insure the safety of their customers   
  Description: Tukwila police said gang issues pose special challenges for the mall. Teenagers tend to dress alike, and "99 percent" don't get into trouble, said Murphy, the Tukwila police spokesman.
  
  "How can you tell the difference between a kid who's getting rowdy and a kid who's there to do a shooting? You can't," he said. "Mall security can be accused of profiling if they start picking out people based on how they look."
  
  Instead, he said, police and security guards focus on behaviors such as large groups congregating; loud and boisterous behavior; adversarial behaviors; and flashing gang signs. A shooting at the mall in March was found to be gang-related, Murphy said. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Security at shopping malls demands awareness of shoppers according to Security Expert Chris McGoey   
  Description: Shopping centers come in all sizes from the giant regional malls to the small strip-center with only a few stores. What they have in common is a parking lot. This is where your family is at greatest risk because of the "nature" of a shopping center parking lot. The most common violent crimes committed in the parking lot are stranger-on-stranger purse snatch and strong-arm robbery and occasionally carjackings and abductions. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Design of parking lot, history of crime, and location are keys factors in assessing parking lot safety according to security Expert Chris E. McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM   
  Description: Parking lots come in all shapes and sizes from the gigantic high-rise or subterranean multi-level structures to the flat lots of a small retail strip-center with only a few stores. While parking lots provide a great service by allowing us access to retail and office centers, they sometimes create a substantial risk. What determines the relative safety of a parking are governed by three factors. They are 1) the nature of the parking lot, 2) the crime history, and 3) the location. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Six Safety Factors Guests Should be aware of when staying in a hotel or motel   
  Description: When traveling on business or pleasure, it may become necessary to stay overnight in a hotel or motel. Your hotel room becomes your home for the night and is your sanctuary while you sleep. It is important to give some thought about security planning. What hotel or motel are you going to select, and what room you are willing to accept? The cost of the hotel room is not always the best predictor of how safe the room will be. There are a few security rules of thumb that should apply to any hotel room you rent. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Apartment Security Expert Chris E McGoey Recommends 10 part Security Plan   
  Description: The truth is that providing adequate security makes good business sense. A relatively crime-free property is good for business. In some markets there is fierce competition among property owners to keep occupancy rates high while still attracting that good resident. Good residents tend to abide by the law, pay the rent on time, sign long leases, make few demands on management, and maintain their apartments in better condition. All of these attributes generate greater net-operating-income for the property owner. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Preventing Crime May be as easy as hiring a doormen or bouncer to deter crime   
  Description: Nightclub Bar Security
  by Chris E McGoey, CPP, CSP, CAM
  Bouncers are most visible aspect of security in a nightclub or bar is the often the huge guys working in a club. The proper application of bouncers and doormen as part of a nightclub and bar security plan are important. Inadequate security procedures could contribute to the Death of a Nightclub. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Use Deadbolt Locks For Added Security by James Monahan   
  Description: Installing dead bolt locks is a good starting point in protecting your home and your possessions. This is because deadbolt locks use a special kind of locking mechanism different from that used by ordinary key-operated locks. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Security Expert says design and architectural techniques improve security against crime   
  Description: some communities have achieved impressive results through neighborhood and architectural design techniques that reduce the opportunity for crime and the need for expensive fortification measures. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• A list of 17 different types of premises where crime victims can be injured due to inadequate security   
  Description: There are many premises that give rise to inadequate security cases on behalf of crime victims but 17 are the most common. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• In every negligent premises security case, there are 7 keys factors to consider in order to prove negligence   
  Description: There are key factors that must be considered in determining a landowner or business owner's liability for negligence security which causes injury to crime victims, including security personnel, equipment, lighting, perimeter control, architecture, design, landscaping, and key control. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• One of the key factors in bringing a case against someone on behalf of a crime victim is the involvement, behavior and conduct of the victim himself   
  Description: the involvement, behavior and conduct of a crime victim is critical in determining whether a viable case exists against a potential defendant. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• crime victim of rape sues assisted living complex where father lived and receives $1 Million Verdict   
  Description: An 11 year old girl who was visiting her ailing father at an assisted living facility was forcibly raped by an employee. She sued the apartment complex for failing to provide adequate security and the Judge awarded $1 Million for damages. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• There are 10 key questions every tenant should ask the landlord to make sure the premises are safe and secure from crime   
  Description: Landlords who have a duty to protect their tenants and provide a safe place to live have liability for the criminal acts of others under a number of circumstances. But before you entered into a lease, ask at least these simple 10 questions of your landlord to make sure that the premises are safe and you won't be attacked by criminals. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.
• Insurance Companies Cannot Deny Coverage on Basis of Intentional Act Exclusion in Every Circumstance   
  Description: insurance limitations in cases involving injuries to crime victims as a result of rape, sexual assault, murder or serious personal injury are often made under the "assault and battery exclusion". However, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court has recently upheld a Superior Court decision required insurance company's obligation to defend where allegations of negligence are involved. Dan Monahan would be happy to provide you with a FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION by calling 1-866-307-3888 and providing you in advance OUR FREE GUIDES so you’re prepared the ask the important questions about your case.

View All

---

Frequent Questions for Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases:

• What do the Security Experts Recommend to Improve Safety at Multiresidential Communities like Apartment Complexes and Condomimiums?
• 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?
• What if I am in a bar or tavern and I am assaulted on the premises, is the owner liable?
• Does a businesses' obligation to protect its customers or patrons also include a duty to provide adequate security?
• Generally, as a victim of crime on the property of someone else, can I bring a claim against the owner?

• Are There Any Other Issues I Should be Aware Of?

• If I Win My Case Will I Be Able to Collect the Money: Judgment and Enforcement in Pennsylvania

• What Kinds of Damages Can be Recovered from the Defendants in Pennsylvania?

• What Happens After the Suit is Filed?

• What’s Involved in Filing a Civil Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

• Does the Pennsylvania Crime Victim Have any Rights to Privacy?

• Can the Criminal Perpetrator Raise Any Defenses in Pennsylvania?

• What Types of Pennsylvania Civil Lawsuits May be Brought?

• How Much Time Do You Have to Sue in Pennsylvania?

• Who are the Parties in a Pennsylvania Civil Suit?

•  What's the difference between criminal and civil justice?

• Why Should You File a Civil Lawsuit

---

Web Resources for Inadequate Security and Crime Victim Cases:

• The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, Inc.

  Description: Started in 1973, CVC is a victim advocacy agency offering immediate and continuing assistance and support for victims and witnesses of crime and their families in Chester County Pennsylvania. Their mission is to reduce the effects of sexual assault and other crimes on victims, witnesses, and family members, to reduce victimization, and to sensitive professionals to victims' needs.

• Victim Law

  Description: A unique resource to exercise, implement, and enforce crime victims' rights developed and operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime, providing an on-line, user-friendly database of statutes, laws, court rules, administrative code provisions, attorney general opinions and case summaries of related court decisions.

• National Center for Victims of Crime

  Description: National Organization dedicated to the support and education of crime victims who seek civil justice.

View All

Name:

Phone:

Email:

What is your question?

The Monahan Law Practice
300 North Pottstown Pike
Suite 210
Exton, PA 19341-2233

Phone: (610) 363-3888
Fax: (610) 363-2429