When you visit a property, whether it’s an apartment complex, shopping center, hotel, or nightclub, you trust that the property owner has taken reasonable steps to ensure your safety. However, when property owners fail to provide adequate security measures, they put visitors at risk of harm. If you were injured as a result of criminal activity on someone else’s property, you might have a legal claim for negligent security.
Understanding your rights and the responsibilities of property owners is critical for seeking justice and compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered due to inadequate security measures, don’t wait to take action. Our experienced premises liability attorneys are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner or manager fails to implement or maintain reasonable security measures, leading to preventable injuries caused by criminal activity.
Examples of negligent security may include:
- Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, or hallways can create opportunities for criminal activity.
- Broken or Faulty Locks: Doors or gates that fail to lock properly can allow unauthorized access.
- Lack of Surveillance: The absence of functioning security cameras makes it harder to monitor suspicious activity.
- Untrained or Insufficient Security Personnel: Properties in high-risk areas may require guards to deter criminal acts.
- Failure to Address Known Risks: If a property has a history of criminal activity, ignoring the need for increased security measures can endanger visitors.
When these or other lapses in security lead to an injury, the property owner may be held liable.
The Duty of Care Property Owners Owe to Visitors
Under Texas premises liability law, property owners have a legal duty of care to maintain a safe environment for lawful visitors. This includes taking reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm caused by criminal acts.
What Determines Foreseeability?
- Crime History: If the property is in an area with frequent criminal activity or has experienced past incidents, the owner should anticipate similar risks.
- Nature of the Property: Certain properties, such as hotels, apartment complexes, or entertainment venues, may require enhanced security due to the type and volume of visitors they attract.
The duty of care varies depending on the property’s purpose, location, and the level of risk involved. However, a failure to take reasonable precautions can result in property owners being held accountable for their negligence.
Common Injuries in Negligent Security Cases
Victims of inadequate security often face physical and emotional trauma, including:
- Assault or battery
- Sexual assault
- Robbery-related injuries
- Emotional distress or PTSD
- Severe injuries caused during attempted escape.
These injuries can have long-lasting effects on a victim’s life, making it crucial to hold negligent parties accountable.
Proving Negligent Security
To succeed in a negligent security claim, you must demonstrate the following:
- Duty of Care: The property owner owed you a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment.
- Breach of Duty: The property owner failed to implement adequate security measures.
- Causation: The lack of security contributed to the criminal act that caused your injury.
- Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.
Gathering evidence, such as surveillance footage, police reports, witness statements, and prior crime data, is essential to building a strong case.
Compensation Available to Victims
If you’ve been injured due to negligent security, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency care, surgeries, therapy, and ongoing treatments.
- Lost Wages: Reimbursement for time missed from work or reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for emotional trauma and physical pain.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Damages for the impact the injury has had on your daily life.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you identify all avenues for recovery and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Negligent Security Claim?
Negligent security claims are often complex, requiring an in-depth understanding of premises liability law and the ability to prove foreseeability and negligence. Our legal team has extensive experience handling these cases and fighting for justice on behalf of injured victims.
What Sets Us Apart:
- A thorough investigation into the property’s security history.
- Collaboration with experts to establish negligence and causation.
- A commitment to securing maximum compensation for your injuries.
Take the First Step Towards Justice
If you or a loved one has been injured due to inadequate security, it’s time to take action. You shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of someone else’s negligence. A qualified Texas personal injury attorney can help you every step of the way. At Hernandez Sunosky LLP, we understand the pain and challenges associated with negligent security. Our team is dedicated to helping individuals in Houston hold responsible parties accountable and secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Based in Kingwood, Hernandez Sunosky LLP serves clients in Houston, Atascocita, Humble, New Caney, Porter, Pearland, and across Texas. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to support you in your time of need, providing the guidance you require to seek justice and compensation.