In Las Vegas (or anywhere), it seems like a robber should be responsible for any injuries that occur during a holdup, but it is possible that the store being robbed is also at fault. Like any other case, it really comes down to negligence and who failed to act in a reasonable way.
Liability of the Robber
Perhaps the first person that we might look to is the robber himself. This makes sense, since the actions of the robber create the situation in which an injury occurred. He or she is, directly or indirectly, responsible for the harm. In many instances, the person who commits robbery might be liable for your injuries in a personal injury case.
Liability of the Store Owner
It’s harder to see the store owner as liable for injuries that occur during a robbery, but if the owner or staff acted in a negligent way, then he or she may still be held accountable. Stores do not get a free pass just because someone else committed a crime—they must have employees who act in a reasonable way and who are trained to maintain a safe environment for all customers.
Who Else Might Be Liable?
Third parties can also be liable for injuries if negligent behavior comes into play. For example, if a third party tries to stop a store robbery in a negligent way or uses dangerous force that causes additional injuries to someone else, then he or she may be liable for those injuries. This can be very difficult to prove, but negligence is still negligence, even if someone had good intentions.
Questions? Call The Husband and Wife Law Team
Proving negligence is not easy, especially when criminal acts have occurred. If you or someone you know has been injured while a store was robbed, then call Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Discuss your case with a premises liability lawyer.