Negligent Security Attorney Corpus Christi

Being hurt in a crime is frightening, and it can be even harder to accept when the harm may have been preventable. If a property owner or manager ignored obvious safety risks, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim. Daspit Law Firm is a personal injury attorney in Corpus Christi that helps crime victims in Nueces County and the Coastal Bend understand their options.

What Is a Negligent Security Claim?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim. Property owners and managers generally must take reasonable steps to keep visitors and residents safe from foreseeable harm. When they fail to do so and someone is hurt by a third party's criminal act, the owner may be held responsible for their own negligence, not for the crime itself.

Where Negligent Security Claims Can Arise

These claims are often tied to places where people expect a basic level of safety:

•         Apartment complexes and rental communities

•         Hotels and motels

•         Parking lots and garages

•         Retail stores and shopping centers

•         Bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues

How Foreseeability Affects Your Case

Foreseeability is usually the center of a negligent security case. The question is whether the owner knew, or should have known, that a crime like the one you suffered could happen.

Was the Crime Part of a Pattern?

Earlier incidents on or near the property may show that a risk was known. Prior crimes generally do not have to match yours exactly, but they may need to show a pattern. Police reports, incident logs, and resident complaints can help reveal one, and an attorney can help gather them.

Did the Property Have Reasonable Security?

A lack of security can strengthen a claim when it contributed to the crime. Common examples include:

•         Broken or unlocked security gates

•         Poor lighting in parking areas and walkways

•         Security cameras that do not work

•         Missing or inadequate on-site security guards

•         Faulty door locks or entry systems

Who Committed the Crime?

Tenants, employees, and strangers can all commit crimes on a property. If an employee caused your harm, the owner may be responsible for negligent hiring if proper background checks were skipped. If a tenant caused it, the owner's screening and response to earlier complaints may matter.

Damages You May Be Able to Recover

Every case is different, but compensation in a negligent security claim may include:

•         Medical bills and future medical care

•         Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

•         Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

•         Costs tied to long-term disability

Violent crimes can cause lasting harm, and some victims face catastrophic injuries that change daily life. When a crime ends in death, surviving family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim.

Why Choose Daspit Law Firm

Our lead attorney once worked on the insurance-defense side, so we understand how insurers and property owners tend to evaluate and dispute these claims. We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means you generally owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Property owners often rely on insurance carriers, and our team can help you with recovering from the insurance company instead of facing adjusters alone. If a crime at one complex hurt several residents, a class action lawsuit may be worth discussing as well.

What to Do After a Crime on Someone Else's Property

Take These Steps Soon

•         Get medical care and keep every record.

•         Report the crime to police and ask for the report number.

•         Photograph the scene, including lighting, locks, gates, and cameras.

•         Write down names of witnesses and any past incidents you know about.

•         Avoid giving recorded statements to an insurer before speaking with a lawyer.

Do Not Wait Too Long

Texas generally gives injury victims two years to file a lawsuit (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.003), and evidence such as camera footage can disappear quickly. Acting early may help protect your claim.

Talk to a Corpus Christi Negligent Security Lawyer

If you were hurt in a crime that better security might have prevented, call Daspit Law Firm at (888) 326-3534 for a free case evaluation. We serve clients in Corpus Christi and throughout South Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue a landlord for a crime committed by someone else?

Possibly. A landlord is not automatically responsible for every crime. A claim generally depends on whether the crime was foreseeable and whether the landlord failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. An attorney can review the facts and records from your property to see whether a claim may exist.

How long do I have to file a negligent security lawsuit in Texas?

Many personal injury claims in Texas generally must be filed within two years of the injury. Some situations can change that deadline, so do not rely on a general rule. Speaking with a lawyer soon also helps preserve evidence such as surveillance video and maintenance records.

What if I was partly at fault?

Texas uses a modified comparative fault rule. Generally, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you may be barred from recovery if you are found more than 50 percent responsible. An attorney can explain how this may apply to your situation.

Does it cost anything to talk to a lawyer?

Daspit Law Firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis. That generally means you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We can explain how costs are handled during your consultation.

Can a negligent security case involve a death?

Yes. If a loved one is killed in a crime that may have been preventable, certain family members may have the right to bring a claim. Texas law limits who may file, so speaking with an attorney early can help your family understand its options.