The Legal Chronicle
The National Institute of Justice warns, parking facilities are often targets for crime as they frequently “comprise a large area with relatively low levels of activity” and inherent security challenges. As such, the NIJ urges parking lot and garage owners to incorporate crime prevention into facility design.
- Lighting: Does the facility meet required illuminance standards, providing adequate, uniform lighting?
- Natural Surveillance: Does the facility provide an open facade, high ceilings, and adequate lighting to allow patrons to easily observe their surroundings?
- Stair Towers and Elevators: Are stair and elevator waiting areas open to the exterior and/or the parking areas? Are potential hiding places below stairs closed off?
- Access Control: Does the facility employ security screening and/or fencing at points of low activity to discourage anyone from entering the facility on foot while maintaining openness and natural surveillance?
- Signs and Graphics: Do signs and graphics (such as color coding and unique memory aids) orient patrons to move quickly in and out of the facility, making them less vulnerable to attack?
- Panic Buttons and Emergency Phones: Are panic bars and emergency phones located in elevators, lobbies, stairs and parking areas?
- Security Personnel: Is there a visible presence of uniformed officers? Do officers frequently patrol the facility, varying their routes and schedule?
Victims of Parking Facility Violence: Know Your Rights
Parking lot and parking garage patrons have a right to feel safe and secure while on the premises of the establishment they are visiting. By law, property owners are required to protect all patrons legally on the premises from any foreseeable harm. For example, should a parking garage owner have knowledge of prior violence on or near property, they have a responsibility to implement additional security precautions to protect patrons and deter such crime. Should a parking facility owner fail in this critical responsibility, they may be held civilly liable for any injuries or wrongful deaths which occur as a consequence.
Can I Afford an Attorney?
Our Clients frequently come in concerned that they won’t be able to afford legal help. We believe everyone has a right to exceptional legal service. We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover. This means our interests are always tied to that of our Clients. Be sure to ask any potential personal injury attorney about their fee schedule and whether they represent Clientele on a contingency basis before signing a contract.
You Deserve Justice. We Can Help.
The Murray Law Firm has an extensive and successful record representing victims and families of negligent gas station security. We have recovered millions of dollars for our Clients, and we offer our legal assistance, if desired. Anyone seeking further information or legal representation is encouraged to contact us via e-mail (click here) or by telephone at 888.842.1616. Consultations are free and confidential.
Choosing the Right Attorney
Selecting the right attorney for you or your family is highly important. You must feel confident that the attorney you hire has a complete understanding of the law applicable to your particular case, and has successful experience in handling such cases.
Important: Do not hire a lawyer who has violated the Rules of Professional Conduct!!!
You should not hire an attorney who calls you or visits you unsolicited, or anyone that contacts you directly to offer legal services. This activity is strictly prohibited by Rule 7.3 of the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which states as follows:
A LAWYER “SHALL NOT” CONTACT A PROSPECTIVE CLIENT THROUGH A “LIVE TELEPHONE” OR AN “IN-PERSON” VISIT.
– RULE 7.3, ABA MODEL RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT.
If an attorney, or someone acting on behalf of an attorney, contacts you in this manner, that attorney is in violation of this Rule. This unethical and unprofessional activity on the part of the lawyer is good sign that you should stay away. It is imperative that you are represented by an attorney who is capable of advocating for you within the confines of the law, and an attorney who fails to abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct is probably not the best fit. In fact, any such attorney should be immediately reported to the local State Bar Association. If you have been contacted in such an unsolicited manner, contact us and we’ll assist you in filing a report.
Contingency Fees Disclaimer: “Contingent attorneys’ fees refers only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Such fees are not permitted in all types of cases. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client.”
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