Trial Magazine

Doe, 22, was a paralegal for a small law firm located in a nine-story commercial office building in Philadelphia. An intruder gained access to the building when someone opened the door to leave the premises in the middle of the day.

After coming inside, the intruder went to the eighth floor and attempted to rob Doe. He then assaulted her brutally and left the building without being stopped by security. He was later apprehended and convicted of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, burglary, robbery, and related charges.

Doe sued the building’s landlord, alleging negligent security. The plaintiff claimed that numerous flaws in the building’s security had allowed the attack to happen, including positioning the lobby’s security desk in a location where the guard could not see the front doors and stairs entirely unless watching them on a monitor.

The plaintiff also asserted there was no locked barrier door from the lobby stairs to the upper floors or an alarm that alerted the guard that someone had gained access to any of the floors through the stairs.

The parties settled for $6 million.

Citation: Doe v. 211 N. 13th St. Assocs., LP, No. 23-03-00228 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. Cnty. May 14, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Thomas Kline and Lorraine Donnelly, both of Philadelphia.