Negligent Security at Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are often open late at night or even 24/7. This can be convenient for those who are traveling or out late at night but it can also be risky and even unsafe for patrons and others.

In recent years, there have been several high-profile incidents involving convenience stores in the United States. These incidents emphasize how negligence, design flaws, and legal lapses can tragically lead to serious harm.  Here is a look at several key incidents.

Storefront Crashes

Over the span of 14 years, there were more than 6,200 crashes at 7-Eleven stores across the United States. In a 2017 crash, a motorist drove onto a sidewalk and pinned a customer against a 7-Eleven storefront, resulting in the loss of both legs above the knee. The store was found liable at least in part because it had not installed bollards or other protection to prevent vehicles from accidentally crashing into the building. This incident resulted in a settlement of $91 million. 

Alcohol Sales to Minors

There was a case from South Carolina involving a convenience store in the Lowcountry. . Surveillance footage showed that an underage person used someone else’s ID to buy alcohol. He was alleged to have been intoxicated when operating a boat, which eventually crashed, killing a woman and injuring others who were onboard.

The victims’ families filed lawsuits, claiming negligence by the convenience store for failure to properly train clerks to verify IDs.

Negligent Security in Convenience Stores

Negligent security generally refers to a business’s failure to take reasonable measures to protect customers, employees, or visitors from foreseeable harm. In convenience stores, this can involve inadequate lighting, lack of surveillance cameras, broken locks, or the failure to hire security guards despite a known history of crime in the area. Because convenience stores often operate late at night and handle cash, they are frequent targets for robberies, assaults, and carjackings.  Tragically, this can often result in injuries to customers, passerbys, and store employees.

When an owner or operator ignores warning signs, such as repeated thefts, loitering, or prior violent incidents, they may be held liable if someone is injured. Victims of negligent security incidents may have grounds to file a lawsuit.

Contact Us Today

Certain types of stores and locations have more security issues than others. A lack of security can lead to assaults, shootings, thefts, abductions, and car accidents.

If so, a Columbia premises liability lawyer from Simmons Law Firm can help. We hold property owners in South Carolina liable for assaults that occur on their premises due to inadequate security in various situations. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (803) 779-4600.

Source:

asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/02/convenience-stores/convenience-store-incidents/