Negligent Security at Reading Outlets, Berkshire Mall, and Santander Arena: When Property Owners Fail to Protect Visitors From Assault

The Reading Outlets, Berkshire Mall, and Santander Arena bring thousands of people into Berks County every week. People come to shop, catch a game, or see a show. Most visits are uneventful. But large crowds also attract crime. When a property owner fails to put the right security in place, innocent visitors can get hurt.

Reading’s violent crime rate is well above the Pennsylvania state average. That means businesses and venues here have an even greater responsibility to keep their properties safe. If you were attacked or assaulted at one of these locations and security was lacking, you may be able to hold the property owner responsible. Could you have a negligent security claim?

If you were hurt in an assault at a Reading venue because the property owner failed to provide adequate security, please get in touch with our premises liability lawyers in Reading, PA.

What Is Negligent Security, and How Does It Apply in Reading?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim. It holds property owners responsible when a visitor is harmed by a crime that better security could have stopped. In Pennsylvania, businesses owe their customers the highest duty of care under the law. That means they must take reasonable steps to spot security risks and fix them before someone gets hurt.

To win a negligent security claim in Reading, an injured person generally needs to prove four things:

• The property owner had a legal duty to keep the injured person safe as a visitor or customer.
• The owner knew — or should have known — that a crime or assault could happen on or near the property.
• The owner failed to put reasonable security measures in place.
• That failure directly caused or contributed to the victim’s injuries.

Why Reading Venues Like the Outlets and Berkshire Mall Carry Heightened Security Obligations

Reading has a well-documented crime problem. Local crime data for Reading shows the city’s violent crime rate has averaged about 55 percent above the national average over the past five years. Aggravated assault is one of the most common offenses. For any business operating here, a violent incident is not hard to imagine — it is a known, documented risk.

Places like the Reading Outlets, Berkshire Mall, and Santander Arena draw big crowds for long stretches of time. Busy parking lots, large open spaces, and event-night surges all make security harder to manage. When an owner knows about those risks but still cuts corners, fewer guards, broken cameras, dark parking areas, and someone gets hurt, that owner can be held liable.

Pennsylvania law does not require property owners to prevent every possible crime. It requires them to act reasonably. But if an owner already knows assaults have happened at their property and does nothing, that inaction has serious legal consequences.

Common Security Failures That Lead to Assault Claims in Reading

Most negligent security claims in Reading come down to one or more of these failures:

• Too few security guards: Not enough staff for the size of the venue, or no security at all during busy hours at places like Santander Arena or the Reading Outlets.
• Broken or missing cameras: Cameras that do not work, parking garage blind spots, or footage that no one is watching, let dangerous situations go unnoticed.
• Poor lighting: Dark parking lots and stairwells make it easier for attackers to act without being seen. Better lighting is one of the simplest ways to deter crime.
• Ignoring past incidents: If a venue has a history of assaults and management did nothing to improve security, that track record is strong evidence in a negligent security case.
• Weak access controls: Unsecured entrances or no screening at event entry points can let the wrong people into areas where attacks happen.

Questions About Negligent Security Claims in Reading

Can I sue a mall or shopping center if I was assaulted in their parking lot?

Yes. Parking lots are part of the property, and owners in Pennsylvania must keep those areas reasonably safe for customers. If poor lighting, no security, or a known crime problem played a role in your assault at a place like Berkshire Mall or the Reading Outlets, the property owner may owe you compensation.

Can I still sue if my attacker was a stranger?

Yes. Pennsylvania law lets victims go after property owners for third-party crimes when the attack was foreseeable and better security could have stopped it. The fact that a stranger attacked you does not erase the property owner’s responsibility for failing to protect you.

How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in Pennsylvania?

Under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, you have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If you miss that deadline, you almost always lose your right to recover anything — no matter how strong your case is.

What compensation can I recover after a negligent security assault in Reading?

You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, future lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In serious cases involving especially reckless behavior, punitive damages may also be available. A Reading premises liability attorney can review your case and tell you what your claim may be worth.

What to Do After a Negligent Security Assault at a Reading Venue

What you do in the hours after an assault at the Reading Outlets, Berkshire Mall, Santander Arena, or another Berks County venue matters. Security footage is often deleted within days. Move quickly to protect your claim:

• Get medical care right away. Even if you feel okay, see a doctor the same day. A medical record from the date of the assault is key evidence.
• Report it to the venue. Tell management or security staff what happened and ask for a written incident report. Get a copy for yourself.
• Take photos. Photograph your injuries, the location, any dark or poorly lit areas, and anything else that seems relevant.
• Get witness information. If anyone saw what happened, write down their names and contact details.
• Call a Reading negligent security attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can send a preservation letter to stop the venue from destroying surveillance footage and other evidence.

Contact Our Reading Negligent Security Lawyers at Munley Law for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one was assaulted at the Reading Outlets, Berkshire Mall, Santander Arena, or any other property in Berks County because of poor security, the Reading, PA personal injury lawyers at  Munley Law are here to help. You should not have to deal with the aftermath of someone else’s failure on your own.

Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced premises liability attorneys. We proudly serve clients throughout Reading, Wyomissing, Kutztown, Pottsville, Berks County, and the surrounding region.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys – Reading
606 Court St.
Reading, PA 19601
Phone: 610-831-4234
www.munley.com