Security & the Law

When a Manufacturer’s Problem Becomes Your Customer’s Problem

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 04 May 2026 07:09:12 -0400

A security dealer sued an alarm manufacturer when a defective model kept causing false alarms for end customers.

The Line Between Premises Liability & Ordinary Negligence

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:10:28 -0400

In a case before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the court considered the defendant’s motion for summary judgment addressing whether the plaintiffs’ carbon monoxide injury claims could proceed under theories of ordinary negligence, premises liability, or both.

Lessons From a Fatal Fire Case

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 10:18:18 -0400

A recent case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania addressed the issue of whether a fire protection and monitoring contractor may be held liable for negligence to an insured’s subrogating insurers for alleged failures in the inspection and maintenance of a fire suppression system.

Split Ruling Highlights Importance of Service Agreements

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500

A recent United States District Court case in Kentucky addressed whether a defendant alarm and fire security service provider was entitled to summary judgment on negligence and contract-based claims arising from alleged failure of a fire alarm and sprinkler system.

No Device? No Excuse: Court Upholds Duty to Defend

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:16:59 -0500

A recent case before the United States District Court concerned whether the defendant insurance company had a contractual duty to defend the plaintiff’s insured seller under a Manufacturing Supply Agreement.

Insurance Company Protective Safeguards Endorsement at Issue in Texas Case

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 07:31:45 -0500

Court considers what defines a “local fire alarm” in a Texas case.

Are Home Security Measures Compensable Under MVRA?

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:03:23 -0500

A recent federal court ruling dives into the limits of victim restitution under the MVRA — where do necessary expenses end, and personal security begin?

Does a Security Company Have the Right to Collect Biometric Identifiers?

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:23:08 -0400

A security company’s AI and biometric model cameras are called into legal question. Are they in violation of the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act?

Missing Diamond at Issue in Recent Court Case

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 06:51:09 -0400

Did a jewelry store breach its insurance warranty by not having a working security alarm?

How Security Alarm Companies Use Contract Provisions to Manage Risk

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

This tongue-in-cheek column looks at how AI would describe limited liability.

Are Fire-Service Charges Taxes or Fees?

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:30:00 -0400

In a recent case in Michigan, the plaintiff brought an action against the city of Detroit, where the validity of the claims depended upon whether the fire-service charges at issue were taxes or fees.

Cost of Security System is Proper Restitution

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:30:17 -0400

A neighbor dispute led to a lawsuit involving a security system.

Is AI For Real, Legally Speaking?

Thu, 22 May 2025 10:00:00 -0400

The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia tackled a fundamental question: “Can a non-human machine be an author under the Copyright Act of 1976?”

Contract Language Needs to be Specific

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0400

Limited liability clause not specific enough in contract to protect company in lawsuit.

Online Agreement Questioned by Plaintiff After Learning Alarm Wasn’t ‘Monitored’

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

A real estate broker filed a lawsuit against an online alarm provider for misrepresentation that it was automatically monitored

Should You Rely on UL Listing?

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:15:00 -0500

An alarm company’s packaging claim was at issue in a recent case that hinged on UL listing.

Beware of the Contract Language

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Contract language must be clear or it can be open to interpretation by the courts.

Appellate Court Finds $250 Fine Unjust for Prolonged Fire Code Violations

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0500

A Philadelphia appellate court found the trial court’s $250 fine for prolonged fire code violations insufficient and ordered a reassessment of the penalties.

Appeals Court Upholds Damages Award in Security Companies’ Dispute Over Customer Poaching

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:30:00 -0500

The New York Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s ruling awarding damages in a commercial dispute between two security companies involving customer poaching and tortious interference with contracts.

Calif. Supreme Court Shields Employer From Penalties in Wage Statement Dispute

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:30:00 -0400

A court ruled that an employer’s reasonable and good faith belief in compliance with wage statement laws precludes penalties for failing to report unpaid meal break premiums as wages.

Woman Tries to Evade Security Sensors With Aluminum Foil

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

A female defendant, convicted for using aluminum foil to bypass retail anti-theft sensors, challenged the conviction by arguing the foil’s common household use.

Security Contractor Cleared of Liability in Mall Carjacking

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:30:00 -0400

A court ruled that a security contractor was not liable for a carjacking incident, citing the absence of a special relationship and the unforeseeable nature of the crime.

Marijuana Grower Loses Appeal Over Insurance Coverage for Fire Damage

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 10:45:00 -0400

A court affirmed an insurer’s decision to deny a fire damage claim due to the absence of an automatic extinguishing system.

Court Decision Sheds Light on Duty to Protect Personal Information

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0400

A class action lawsuit against a law firm for alleged negligence in safeguarding personal data highlights the growing importance of confidentiality in security practices amid rising cyber threats.

Police Officer Gets in Car Crash Responding to ‘Possible Burglar Alarm’

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:30:00 -0400

A court has to decide if a police officer’s actions rise to the level of reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Appeals Court Upholds Use of Security Cam Footage in Home Invasion Case

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:56:44 -0400

A home invasion case recently decided by the Court of Appeals in the State of Michigan involved the use of video from a security camera entered into evidence.

Fatal Fire: Was the Smoke Alarm Defective?

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 10:15:00 -0400

A court has to decide whether or not a malfunctioning smoke alarm was the fault of the manufacturer or intentional disablement.

Woman Sues Police for Excessive Force After K-9 Attack

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0500

Before entering the house from the garage, the defendant announced his and the K-9’s presence and ordered anyone in the house to surrender or they would be bitten by the dog.

Court Specifies Signer Is Presumed to Know Document Contents

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 11:15:00 -0500

A party that signs a document is conclusively bound by its terms absent a valid excuse for having failed to read it.

Summary Judgement Denied: A Death Leads to Cautionary PERS Saga

LEG@msk.com (Lessing E. Gold) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:00:00 -0500

Following the unfortunate death of a woman who had activated a PERS alarm, a jury will decide the damages.