In cases involving premises liability, criminal acts, security incidents, or use of force, attorneys may need more than just the facts of what happened. They may also need to understand the underlying security environment surrounding an incident. This requires specialized knowledge of crime risks, security operations, training policies, and industry best practices.
Was the incident preventable? Were the right security measures in place? Did the staff have the necessary training to responsibly handle the incident?
An expert witness can help you understand the answers to these questions.
Retaining a premises liability, security, and use of force expert witness can give your case the necessary insight and professional interpretation of an incident to help the judge or jury understand whether a property owner or establishment met the standard of care to keep people safe.
Edrington & Associates provides highly experienced expert witness services to attorneys handling cases involving premises liability, negligent security, workplace violence, use of force, and over-escalation.
Our experts rely on decades of extensive ‘real-world’ experience in evaluating security practices, crime risk, incident response, and industry standards and best practices to develop evidence-based expert opinions for litigation.
From case evaluation and evidence review through deposition and courtroom testimony, Edrington & Associates provides the specialized security expertise attorneys need to evaluate the technical issues in their cases.
Security and Premises Liability Expert Witness Services
A robbery in a department store parking lot. A workplace argument that turns violent. A nightclub shooting that leaves multiple people injured.
These cases often involve more than a strict interpretation of the law.
Whether you are the plaintiff or defense counsel, attorneys in California need to establish whether reasonable security measures were in place, whether the risks were foreseeable, whether the policies and training in place were adequate, and whether the response followed standard industry practices.
This is where a premises liability expert witness or security expert witness can help. Their professional opinions give attorneys powerful assistance evaluating the security conditions and practices relevant to their case, and help judges and juries interpret events.
Edrington & Associates offers expert witness services across multiple areas of security and premises liability.
Premises Liability, Security Negligence, and Crime Foreseeability
When an incident occurs at a business or on someone’s property, questions around premises liability arise. A premises liability expert witness can help attorneys evaluate whether the facility should have known or foreseen the risks, and whether the appropriate security measures were in place. An expert witness can evaluate whether proper lighting, surveillance, access control, and other security features were operating properly. They can analyze prior criminal activity and other factors to determine whether risks were foreseeable and whether additional security measures could have prevented the incident.
Security Assessments, Standards, and Risk Mitigation
A safety and security expert witness can evaluate the security programs that were in operation at the time of the incident through security risk and vulnerability assessments, security audits, post orders, policies, training, and staffing.
These detailed analyses can help attorneys determine whether the security practices in place were consistent with accepted industry standards and practices.
Bar, Nightclub, Hotel, and Restaurant Security
The security measures appropriate for an establishment can depend on the type of property and the risks associated with it. A security negligence expert witness can evaluate whether the establishment met the security best practices for patron management, security staffing, access control, surveillance, and emergency procedures. Our expert witness testimony can also evaluate the appropriateness of responses to disruptive or dangerous behavior.
Crime Prevention, Residential, and Corporate Security
Our premises security expert witness can analyze and address security measures and incidents at residential and corporate properties, including apartments, condominiums, private communities, office environments, parking areas, and other commercial or residential areas. An expert can evaluate crime prevention measures, access control, surveillance, emergency preparedness, security staffing, and workplace safety practices.
Workplace Violence and Use of Force
When a case involves workplace violence or the conduct of security personnel, our workplace violence expert witness can evaluate an organization’s threat response, de-escalation tactics, use of force, and workplace violence intervention strategies. A use of force expert witness can evaluate alleged over-escalation, the training, policies, and conduct of security personnel in response to the incident.
How Our Premises Liability, Security, and Use of Force Expert Witness Services Support Attorneys
Engaging a premises liability, security, and use of force expert witness can help an attorney evaluate the technical issues in a case from the initial investigation and discovery phase through trial.
Why Choose Edrington & Associates for Safety and Security Expert Witness Services?
Edrington & Associates premises liability, use of force, and security expert witness services draw on more than 30 years of combined experience and leadership in law enforcement, security management, corporate risk, and security counseling.
Our specialties and areas of expertise include corporate risk and security operations, workplace violence intervention, vulnerability assessments, and emergency preparedness. We also have extensive security consulting experience in the areas of security risk management, and the development and evaluation of security policies and procedures.
This experience helps Edrington & Associates deliver premises liability, safety and security expert witness services that include complex trial preparation, discovery and document review, report writing, deposition testimony, and courtroom testimony.
Relevant professional credentials include:
- Certified Forensic Litigation Consultant (CFLC)
- Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC)
- Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP)
Our professional affiliations include:
- Forensic Expert Witness Association (FEWA)
- ASIS International
- American Society of Criminology (ASC)
- Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP Worldwide)
- California Crime Prevention Officers Association (CCPOA)
- American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
- National Sheriffs’ Association
- International Code Council (ICC) Combination Inspector
- California Certified Resident Manager
- Certified Property Manager (CPM)
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cases can a security expert witness assist with?
Expert witness services can assist with cases involving premises liability, safety-vulnerability assessments, best practices-standards of care, security negligence, crime foreseeability, workplace violence, security guard negligence, use of force, hospitality, residential, and commercial security.
Can a premises liability or security expert witness work for either the plaintiff or defense?
Yes. A premises liability or security expert witness may be retained by either plaintiff or defense counsel in civil litigation. The expert’s role is to provide independent opinions within their area of expertise, based on the facts, evidence, applicable standards, and accepted industry practices.
What does a security expert witness review?
A security expert witness can review materials such as policies, post orders, incident reports, crime history, surveillance footage, property conditions, and other factors relevant to the incident. They provide their professional opinion to the trier of fact to aid their decision making.
When should an attorney retain a safety and security expert witness?
An attorney may benefit from early involvement of a safety and security expert witness, particularly when specialized analysis is needed to evaluate the technical issues of a case, identify relevant evidence, assess the need for further investigation, and help develop opinions. Even if the case does not ultimately reach trial, their insight and expertise can become invaluable in case preparation.
Does a security, premises liability, or use of force expert witness determine whether someone was legally negligent?
An expert witness provides their opinions concerning security practices, risks, standards, procedures, and conduct as they relate to acceptable industry practices. The ultimate determination of liability is for the court or trier of fact.
Looking for a Premises Liability, Safety, and Security Expert Witness? Contact Edrington & Associates
If you are an attorney evaluating a premises liability, security negligence, workplace violence, or use of force case, Edrington & Associates can help you evaluate the technical and security issues relevant to your case.
Contact Edrington & Associates today to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case and your expert witness needs.