Schools fall into those categories of properties for which a "special relationship" may exist between the landowner and the patron.
This special relationship should exist, as well, where the school provides dormitory or other housing arrangements, in that the school, at that time, becomes analogous to an old English "innkeeper/guest" relationship.
Thus, any analogy of the duties and responsibilities of the institution, such as when a student or teacher opens fire on unsuspecting students or faculty (an all too prevalent occurrence in this day and age), starts with the responsibility and duty of the school to provide adequate security, and in the issue of foreseeability of crime on property, it must be remembered that the school has a special relationship with its students and faculty to use reasonable care to prevent criminal attacks. Only then can an objective analysis be made of the adequacy of the actions and security measures of the school personnel, as well as the preventability of the attack.
If you have a situation concerning schools, dorms and school housing for negligent security cases, please contact the Florida law expert at Corless Associates at 877-517-5595.
