A property owner may be liable for sexual assault under premises liability law if they owed the victim a duty of care (as a customer or lawful guest, for instance), sexual assault was a foreseeable crime on the premises, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security.
There are many scenarios in which business owners should reasonably expect that a sexual assault may occur. Some businesses like poorly lit parking lots in urban areas, bars and nightclubs, apartment buildings, hotels, and resorts pose a higher risk of assault.
If the crime was foreseeable, the property owner should have taken steps to prevent the crime from occurring. Depending on the circumstances, this may include adequate lighting, fencing, security personnel, surveillance cameras, controlled access to the building, and adequate locks on doors and windows.
If you were the victim of sexual assault on someone else’s property, they may be held liable if they failed in their duty to provide you with the security you expected. Contact Steinlaw for a free consultation with a negligent security lawyer to discuss your case.