Premises Liability
Negligent Security Attorneys
Property owners and businesses have a responsibility to provide reasonable security measures to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. When inadequate security leads to assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes, victims may be entitled to significant compensation.
Understanding Negligent Security Claims
When you visit a business, attend an event, or live in an apartment complex, you have a reasonable expectation that the property owner has taken steps to keep you safe. This duty increases when the property owner knows or should know that criminal activity is foreseeable—for example, if there have been previous incidents of violence on or near the property.
Negligent security claims arise when property owners fail to implement reasonable security measures and someone is harmed as a result. The key question is whether the property owner knew or should have known about the risk of criminal activity and failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it.
Where Negligent Security Incidents Occur
Bars, Nightclubs & Restaurants
Establishments that serve alcohol have heightened duties to maintain order and prevent foreseeable violence. This includes properly training staff, maintaining adequate security personnel, and intervening before situations escalate. When patrons are assaulted by other patrons or by security guards themselves, the establishment may be liable.
Concerts & Event Venues
Large gatherings require comprehensive security planning. When venues fail to screen attendees, hire adequate security, control crowds, or respond appropriately to incidents, they can be held responsible for assaults and other violent crimes that occur.
Apartment Complexes
Landlords must provide reasonable security for residents. This may include secure entry points, adequate lighting in common areas, functioning locks, and security personnel in high-crime areas. When residents or visitors are assaulted due to security failures, landlords may be liable.
Parking Lots & Garages
Parking facilities are frequent targets for criminal activity. Property owners must provide adequate lighting, surveillance cameras, security patrols, and emergency call stations. Failures in these areas can make owners liable for assaults, robberies, and carjackings.
Assaults by Security Guards
Ironically, some of the most devastating assaults occur at the hands of the very people hired to provide security. Security guards are only authorized to use reasonable force necessary to protect people and property. When security personnel use excessive force—whether due to poor training, negligent hiring, or lack of supervision—the property owner who hired them can be held liable.
We have successfully represented clients who were beaten, choked, and seriously injured by security guards at bars, nightclubs, and other venues. These cases often reveal patterns of inadequate training, failure to conduct background checks, and tolerance of aggressive behavior.
What We Must Prove
Duty of Care
The property owner owed a duty to provide reasonable security measures
Foreseeability
The criminal act was foreseeable based on prior incidents or other factors
Breach of Duty
The property owner failed to implement reasonable security measures
Causation
The security failure was a substantial factor in causing the victim's injuries
Recent Result
Negligent Security Settlement
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
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