Final answer:
Security guards can be held civilly liable in court if their failure to maintain safety results in harm to others, as these matters are judged under civil law where private parties may seek compensation for damages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Security guards who fail to maintain safety can indeed be held civilly liable by the courts for harm or injury resulting from their negligence or failure to perform their duties properly. Unlike criminal cases where the government prosecutes the accused, civil lawsuits involve private disputes between entities, which may include individuals or organizations. If someone is harmed because a security guard did not provide the expected level of safety, the injured party may sue for damages. These cases fall under civil law, and the courts assess the guard's actions against a reasonable standard of care to determine if there was a breach of duty that resulted in harm.