Negligent Security and Personal Injury on College Campuses
Every year, thousands of criminal instances are reported on U.S. college campuses. In fact, studies indicate that as many as 35,000 crimes were reported at colleges and universities in 2005 alone. According to the Office of Postsecondary Education, many college and university campuses report multiple on-campus crimes every year. Sex crimes, such as sexual assault, are one of the most commonly reported crimes on college and university campuses. Burglary is another common on-campus crime.
To avoid crimes, colleges and universities should anticipate crime before it happens and employ adequate safety measures to protect students. This might include independent research to determine what types of crime are most common in a certain area. For example, a college in an area with a high car-theft rate might install extra lighting or security cameras in student-parking areas. Additionally, the school could post signs indicating that the lot is being monitored to deter potential thieves.
College campuses cannot guarantee student safety, but they can make sure that adequate precautions are taken to inhibit crime. Schools might employ security guards, light walkways, install fences, and provide emergency help alarms to discourage criminal activity. Dark pathways, unlit parking structures, and easily-accessible dormitories may encourage instances of burglary and sexual assault. If a student is injured or killed because one of these security precautions is not in place, the school could face a negligent security claim.
If you or a loved one was attacked or robbed on a college campus, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a premises liability claim or lawsuit. At the Loewy Law Firm, our Austin premises liability attorney has more than a decade of personal injury legal experience. Contact our office to see what the firm can do for you! With the right lawyer on your side, you stand a better chance of recovering the money you need and deserve.