Gun violence in public places like malls is a tragic and all too frequent occurrence. When such an event takes place, it is important to consider the potential civil liability of the mall premises owner. Let's explore the legal framework for holding a mall premises owner civilly liable for gun violence that takes place on their property.

The first thing to consider is whether the mall premises owner owes a duty of care to the victims of the gun violence. As a general rule, property owners owe a duty of care to individuals who are lawfully on their property, such as mall customers. This duty of care requires the property owner to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe and free from foreseeable dangers.

The next question to ask is whether the mall premises owner breached their duty of care. In the context of gun violence, a breach of duty may occur if the mall owner knew or should have known of a foreseeable risk of harm and failed to take appropriate measures to address it. For example, if there had been prior incidents of gun violence at the mall or in the surrounding area, and the mall owner failed to implement adequate security measures, such as hiring security personnel or installing metal detectors, they may be found to have breached their duty of care.

It is important to keep in mind that mall owners are often deeply affected by incidents of gun violence on their property. They may feel a great sense of responsibility and remorse for the harm suffered by victims and their families. Nonetheless, in order to establish liability, the victims must show that the mall owner breached their duty of care, and that this breach caused their injuries.

Lastly, the victims must establish damages in the form of physical injuries, emotional distress, lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses resulting from the gun violence. These damages can be difficult to quantify, particularly in cases where the victims suffered severe and permanent injuries or lost loved ones in the shooting.

In summary, mall premises owners can potentially be held civilly liable for gun violence that occurs on their property if they breached their duty of care by failing to take reasonable steps to keep the premises safe from foreseeable dangers. Victims must establish that the breach of duty caused their harm and prove damages resulting from the incident. In cases involving gun violence, proving causation and damages can be particularly challenging, and victims may benefit from seeking the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. Our hearts go out to all those who have been impacted by such senseless acts of violence, and we hope that by holding property owners accountable, we can work together to prevent future tragedies