How Poor Lighting Creates a Dangerous Environment
Inadequate lighting can lead to incredibly dangerous situations. All property owners are supposed to ensure proper lighting on their premises if guests have a right to be there. Failing to do so could constitute a lack of security. Here, we want to discuss how poor lighting creates a dangerous environment as well as whether or not property owners can be held responsible for any incidents that occur as a result of inadequate lighting.
Poor Lighting – The Failure of a Property Owner
Imagine coming back to your rented Airbnb located inside of a condominium complex in a beach town in Georgia. Suppose, for the purposes of this scenario, it is nighttime, and you have just enjoyed a good meal with friends. Unfortunately, you notice, as you get out of your vehicle and walk towards your unit, that there is no lighting. You even struggle to find your keys and have to turn on your cell phone flashlight to make your way to the unit.
Even though this is a theoretical scenario, you can probably come up with a range of issues that creates safety hazards here. Inadequate lighting, whether in a parking lot, inside of a store, or anywhere else, is certainly a hazard that could lead to a person tripping and falling or even getting assaulted by nefarious perpetrators.
Property owners owe a duty of care to those who have a right to be there. Inadequate lighting can lead to inadequate security claims just about anywhere, including:
- Malls
- Banks
- Shopping centers
- University campuses
- Parking lots and parking garages
- Apartment or condominium complexes
- Hotels and motels
- Nightclubs and bars
- Event or concert venues
- Office buildings
Property owners or operators must regularly inspect the entire premises to ensure that there is adequate lighting. This includes an inspection that takes place in the evenings when individuals can see whether or not there is inadequate lighting.
Compensation for Injury Victims
Any person who sustains an injury caused by inadequate lighting on another individual’s property should be able to recover a range of types of compensation. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Any emergency medical bills arising as a result of an injury
- All follow-up hospital or doctor visits
- Any necessary medical devices or prescription medications
- Lost wages if a victim cannot work
- Various out-of-pocket costs
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Emotional or psychological trauma
In some cases, if the property owner was aware of the inadequate lighting situation and failed to take steps to remedy the problem, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are intended to act as a punishment to the property owner for their gross negligence and send a signal to other property owners that this type of inadequate security behavior is not appropriate.
Any person who has sustained an injury as a result of inadequate lighting on someone else’s property needs to work with a skilled premises liability lawyer in Atlanta immediately. The sooner an attorney can get involved and investigate the situation, the better. Your lawyer will handle all communication and negotiation with any other party involved and work diligently to obtain maximum compensation on your behalf.