$6.3 Million
Verdict · Premises Liability · 2022
Inadequate security at a large commercial property
Los Angeles County, CA
Case summary
The property had a documented history of violent incidents and had reduced its security staffing to cut costs. Incident reports obtained in discovery contradicted the defense narrative at trial, and the jury found the reduction in security to be a substantial factor in causing the harm.
Case at a glance
Injuries: Gunshot injury with permanent nerve damage.
- Defendant
- Large commercial property owner
- Key issue
- Foreseeability from prior similar incidents
- Liability
- Verdict
- Time to resolution
- 29 months
The challenge
The defense characterized the assault as unforeseeable and claimed security levels were industry standard.
How we built it
- Compiled three years of on-site incident reports contradicting that claim
- Obtained budget documents showing a deliberate reduction in guard hours
- Security expert testified to the industry standard for the property class
The outcome
The jury found the staffing reduction was a substantial factor in causing the harm.
How the case moved
Retained
Two months after the incident
Discovery
Incident reports produced after motion to compel
Verdict
Three-week jury trial
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is decided on its own facts, venue, and available insurance coverage.
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