No matter where you are, it’s important to keep an eye out for hazards and be aware of potential threats to your safety. Negligent security lawsuits can arise when the owner or manager of a building fails to maintain appropriate security measures, such as locks, alarms, and surveillance cameras.
Property owners owe a duty to ensure lawful visitors are safe while on their premises. If criminal activity occurs due to a lack of proper security measures, the owner may be liable for injuries or theft resulting from the crime.
You may encounter negligent security anywhere—in your neighborhood, at your workplace, in shopping centers, or on vacation. Property owner negligence in maintaining a safe environment for residents, customers, and visitors can have severe consequences for victims and their loved ones. If you were injured due to negligent security, our legal team is here to help you explore your options.
Universal Signs of Negligent Security
Regardless of the premises you’re visiting, stay aware of your surroundings and note how the property owner or management handles security. Negligent security issues that frequently arise at residential and commercial properties often involve:
- Parking lots, stairwells, and hallways. Areas like these tend to have worse lighting and fewer security cameras, leaving you more vulnerable to violent crime and other dangers.
- Poor maintenance, including broken locks, fences, and windows. A poorly maintained property of any type is more vulnerable to break-ins and other types of trespass. This is particularly true of buildings where enclosures and entryways are not maintained appropriately.
- Management ignoring previous criminal incidents on a property. If a property has experienced previous criminal activity, such as robberies or assaults, management should address the underlying factors. If the owner or manager of a building ignores a history of criminal activity on their property, they may be liable for negligent security incidents.
Common Residential Negligent Security Signs
Residential negligent security occurs in properties where people live, such as apartment complexes or houses. Residents are entitled to safety in their homes, and a property owner’s failure to ensure appropriate security can put tenants at risk. Common signs of negligent security in residential buildings include:
- Malfunctioning locks.
- Poorly maintained gates and fences.
- Poor or inadequate security systems, such as alarms and cameras.
- Poor lighting, inside and outside.
- Broken or easily opened windows.
- Negligent hiring or inadequate background checks of security personnel.
Common Commercial Negligent Security Signs
Commercial negligent security occurs when the owner or operator of a business fails to maintain appropriate security at their property, leading to customers, employees, or other lawful visitors being harmed. Negligent security can occur in virtually any commercial setting, including offices, retail shops, hotels, parking garages, and malls. Signs of commercial negligent security include:
- Negligent hiring or inadequate training of security staff.
- Failure to perform background checks on employees.
- Inadequate emergency protocols for employees and customers.
- Poor lighting, inside and outside.
- Lack of surveillance cameras, alarms, and other security equipment.
- Entrances and exits with malfunctioning locks.
- Easily broken windows.
You don’t have to be an employee or patron of a business to have a valid negligent security claim after a criminal incident. If you were criminally injured while visiting a commercial property and the owner had reason to know of the risk, you could be entitled to compensation. Reach out to our experienced premises liability attorneys to determine your legal options.
Prior Crimes and Foreseeability
The Texas Supreme Court has developed specific legal standards governing personal injuries caused by negligent security on properties. Our negligent security attorneys can help you determine whether security laws were violated in your case.
For example, liability in a Texas negligent security case depends largely on the history of previous crimes at the property. If a property you visit has experienced multiple crimes over a period of time, the owner could be liable for harm caused by future crimes if they don’t address the underlying factors, such as broken locks or a lack of surveillance cameras.
This is closely related to the foreseeability doctrine, another important legal consideration. Property owners have a legal responsibility to protect visitors from “foreseeable harm.” Foreseeability in negligent security cases is gauged based on the “proximity, recency, frequency, similarity, and publicity” of previous crimes.
How To Report Negligent Security
Building owners have a “duty to use ordinary care to protect” residents, employees, customers, and other lawful visitors safe to their premises. Unfortunately, negligent security in commercial and residential buildings alike can lead to violent crime that endangers visitors and residents.
If you identify circumstances that could lead to a negligent security incident (e.g., inadequate security or poor maintenance) report them to the appropriate authorities. For example, you can report negligent security to the landlord, property management, building operator, or security personnel. Additionally, if there is a chance of an imminent crime (e.g., suspicious activity at your apartment complex that could be related to a robbery), it may be wise to contact law enforcement.
No matter who you report negligent security to, it helps to document the problem with photos, videos, dated notes, and other evidence. This will help in the event you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the property owner.
Contact Shamieh Law If You Have Questions About Negligent Security
The victim mentioned in the video below reported unsafe circumstances to management numerous times before she was killed. This kind of carelessness is unacceptable. Our skilled Texas premises liability attorneys are ready to fight for justice and compensation if you or a loved one were injured in a negligent security incident.
We treat our clients like family and get started immediately after accepting a case. We regularly receive glowing testimonials from our many satisfied clients praising the high quality of our services. Our lawyers take their work seriously and move fast to help clients in urgent legal circumstances.
At Shamieh Law, we’re dedicated to keeping individuals and families safe from negligent security incidents and protecting their rights. With office locations in Dallas and Austin, we serve injury victims across Texas. Call (469) 813-7332 or contact us online today to schedule your free legal consultation.
