Salt Lake City Negligent Security Lawyer

Salt Lake City Negligent Security Client Story

The story we have shared below is intended to give you additional answers about what to expect during a negligent security claim. As you may expect, names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients. The value of the information remains, however, and we encourage you to read to the end to learn as much as possible. When you’re through, please give us a call to schedule a free legal consultation.

On a rainy evening in Salt Lake City not so long ago, Andrea Cortez turned out the lights in the marketing department and headed for the stairs to the roof of the parking garage. She could’ve taken the elevator instead of walking up four flights, but with no one left on the floor and probably in the entire building, she’d always had a fear that the elevator might get stuck. She couldn’t handle the thought of being trapped in a metal box hanging several stories above the ground until morning.

Besides, as a Marketing Director, long hours weren’t unusual, and the stairs always ensured at least a minimum amount of exercise. It’s why she parked at the top.

It wasn’t unusual for Andrea to be the first one at her desk in the morning and the last one out at night. She didn’t believe in asking her team to do what she wasn’t willing to do. If they stayed late, Andrea was there with them until everyone left. She loved her team and was well-loved in return.

Andrea’s shoes click-clacked as she crossed the vast tiled atrium. As she walked, she mentally noted the trees she’d used her phone app to identify over the years. Weeping Ficus. Black olive. Phoenix palm. Adonidia palm.

It’s actually quite lovely here at night, she thought to herself. She didn’t cross paths with another soul as she traversed the large building; the security guards had been laid off at least six months before.

 As she walked up to the roof, she pulled out her keys and constructed a very short shopping list in her head.

Coffee and cat food— the two things in life that were indispensable to her and her rescue cat muffin. She laughed thinking about how many people ask her why she named the cat “Muffin.” They always asked if somehow, he looked like a muffin.

“Nope,” she’d reply, “It’s because he loves muffins. Will steal them right off your plate. Who knew?”

Andrea reached the top of the building without breaking a sweat. She pushed through the heavy metal fire door to see her car alone in the lot 20 yards away. Wondering what the range was on her fob, she lifted her keys and hit the unlock button. The bleat of the alarm disengaging was the last thing she heard before she was punched in the face.

Andrea woke up in pain with a broken jaw and a concussion. She was shocked to find she was missing her car and her ring finger. Her fiancé Elian sat in a chair beside her. Two days of scruff on his chin and dark circles under his eyes that told her she’d been unconscious for more than a few hours.

Andrea stayed in the hospital for two more days to make sure her jaw was not showing any signs of infection after the operation that left it wired shut for six weeks to heal. She also underwent tests and observation to ensure that her concussion wasn’t a precursor to additional brain trauma.

Four days after being carjacked, Andrea was released with instructions on signs of infection to watch for in her jaw and the tiny stump of her ring finger. Her treatment plan involved plenty of rest, a liquid diet, antibiotics, and pain medication.

As Elian drove her home, Andrea protested that he’d missed the exit to her apartment. He told her she was going to stay with him so he could care for her.

“But, Eli, my cat. You can’t expect Muffin to be alone for six weeks,” Andrea said, unable to believe he hadn’t thought of her fur baby.

“Andi, Muffin’s already at the condo,” Elian said with a self-satisfied grin.

The next week was rough. Normally fiercely independent, Andrea was mortified to find she couldn’t stand being alone. Even with Muffin to protect her, she was consumed by anxiety and had to force herself not to follow Elian from room to room as he did the chores.

Andrea hated her newfound vulnerability. At least she could sit with him at the breakfast bar while he cooked without having to admit to herself that she’d have been sitting there if he were scrubbing out the oven. She was afraid to say it out loud, but Andrea was afraid she was becoming agoraphobic. She figured it was only a matter of time before she became too anxious to leave the house.

The nightmares were even worse than Andrea’s anxiety while awake. As soon as she drifted off to sleep, she found herself confronted with her attacker once more. Sometimes he’d be holding bolt cutters, like the kind he must have used to take her finger when her engagement ring wouldn’t come off.

She’d try to run but he’d grab her by the wrist and lift the cutters. She’d try to scream, but her jaw wouldn’t move…

When Andrea woke screaming through her teeth for the fifth consecutive night, she knew she needed to find help. She’d soaked the sheets in cold sweat, again. Elian calmed her and helped her to the shower to rinse and put on dry pajamas while he changed the bed.

The next morning, he told her about our firm and suggested they call.

“Maybe if you file a negligence claim, you’ll be able to find your power again,” he said, referring to her sense of self-empowerment. “And some counseling may help…”

Fiercely independent or not, Andrea needed to do something.

Elian called us the next day and made an appointment for a free legal consultation for that afternoon. He said Andrea’s three main concerns were what it would cost to hire us, what her claim might be worth, and how long it would take.

We met the couple that afternoon at our office. Elian asked the questions on Andrea’s behalf while she took notes.

How much does it cost to hire an attorney?

 “Before we spend too much of your time, how much does it cost to retain your firm for a negligent security claim?” Elian asked.

Our attorney told the couple that since the firm works on a contingency fee model, there would be no upfront charge.

“We don’t’ get paid until we successfully resolve your claim,” the lawyer said.

Andrea nodded that she was satisfied with this answer and then looked to Elian to ask the next question.

How much does it cost to hire a Salt Lake City negligent security lawyer?

“How much is Andrea’s claim worth?” Elian asked.

We told them that it would be impossible to accurately toss out a number without additional information.

“Specifically, we’ll need to conduct a thorough investigation, including speaking to witnesses and gathering evidence,” the lawyer said. “We’ll also need to get a clear understanding of your damages, Andrea.”

Andrea showed Eli her notes and he said, “There were no witnesses, she was the only one there.”

“That may be true, but we’re also referring to finding out whether there have been other incidents in the parking garage, what, if any, security the building has, that sort of thing. We’ll do the research and work up your case as if it’s going all the way to court,” the lawyer told Andrea.

“To figure out your damages, we’ll need you to reach maximum medical improvement. This is the point at which your doctors would consider you to be back to your ‘normal’ level of health,” the lawyer said. Seeing Andrea’s eyes drop to her bandaged hand, he continued, “And if your former ‘normal’ is no longer attainable, we’ll need you to recover to a ‘new normal.’”

Elian squeezed his fiancé’s right hand. “You can wear your wedding rings on your right hand,” he smiled. Andrea returned the smile briefly, still clearly anxious as talk of her missing finger arose.

“To reach maximum medical improvement,” the lawyer continued, “you’ll need to channel all of your energy into your recovery. This means getting as much rest as possible and carefully following your doctor’s treatment plan.”

“She can’t sleep, has nightmares every night.” Elian volunteered. “It must be torment,” he added, putting an arm around Andrea’s shoulders as she studied her lap, willing the tears not to fall.

“Andrea, this is important. Your rest is important, and so is your mental health. It’s critical for your wellbeing and it’s relevant to your damages.

Your nightmares are something you need to share with your doctor as soon as you leave this meeting, whether you pursue a claim with us or someone else. Your doctor will give you suggestions for moving through this and will probably have a counseling recommendation.

“There is life after your terrifying experience, Andrea. It’s very important that you speak up and ask for help for your anxiety.”

Andrea quietly wiped the tears that refused to be contained and nodded. She would call today.

“Now, when you reach maximum medical improvement, it’s going to mean you’re through with surgeries and we have a concrete understanding of what the future of your medical care looks like for your injuries,” the lawyer said.

“When you reach this point, we’ll know what your economic and non-economic damages are. That’s when we can tell you the value of your case.”

Elian and Andrea both nodded that they understood.

How long will my negligent security claim take?

“Can you please tell us how long a case like this will take?” Elian asked.

“Unfortunately, this is also something we can’t accurately predict at the start. This is because your case timeline will depend on two factors, the first of which is how long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement.

“Your claim can only move as fast as the speed of your recovery, Andrea, because we need to have an accurate assessment of your damages to get you enough compensation for all the ways you’ve been harmed.

“Once we now your damages, we’ll send the insurance companies a demand letter.”

“Wait,” said Elian. “Companies? There will be more than one?”

“It’s likely. If the company Andrea works for doesn’t own the building, we may be looking at the owner of the building, and probably a property management company.

“It doesn’t appear as if there is a security company involved, but we’re going to look into what, if any security was provided by your employer, the building owner, and the building manager. Someone managed to get into the building undetected with malicious intent,” said the lawyer.

“The second factor in determining your case timeline is how the insurance companies respond to our demand letter. If they are agreeable and fair about your settlement, we can wrap up your case without further delay. If not, we’ll take them to court.

Seeing the look of alarm on Andrea’s face, the lawyer said, “Most claims are settled before they get to trial, Andrea, but if yours doesn’t, we have the skill and experience to take the insurance companies before a jury.

“The fact that our reputation is well known by the insurance companies sometimes encourages them to agree to a fair settlement to avoid facing us in court.

“Either way, we’ll be ready, so please don’t let the possibility of a trial worry you. We’ve got a long record of wins in negligent security cases, via settlement and in the courtroom.

“We’d love to be there to guide you through your case no matter which way it goes, Andrea, so you can focus only on your recovery,” the lawyer said. “But no matter who you retain for your claim, we definitely recommend you hire a trial attorney with a successful track record in negligent security cases.”

Andrea did retain our firm and we are happy to say we got her seven times the amount the insurance companies initially offered her.

Call Our Salt Lake City Negligent Security Lawyer Today

We hope this web page has provided you with answers to some of your questions about a negligent security claim. Every case is unique, however, and we invite you to contact our Salt Lake City negligent security lawyer to schedule your free legal consultation as soon as possible. You are not alone in this. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.