Negligent Security

Attorneys for Negligent Security

Property owners and landlords have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect tenants and visitors from foreseeable crime. When they cut corners, on lighting, locks, security staff, or background checks, the people who trusted that property to be safe can pay the price.

Our attorneys know how to prove a property owner knew or should have known about the danger, and hold them accountable for it.

Filing Claims for Victims of Crime in Texas Apartment Complexes

As a tenant, you may be unsure of what you can reasonably expect from your landlord. You know they need to repair anything in your apartment that threatens your health or safety, and they cannot interrupt your access to utilities without good reason.

Unless you damage the property, they will also need to return your security deposit. These obligations are fairly straightforward and outlined in your landlord/tenant agreement. But what about protecting you from crime? If you were robbed in your apartment complex, is your landlord responsible because the crime occurred on their property?

At The Daspit Law Firm, our attorneys have years of experience navigating these complex liability issues and helping clients secure million-dollar settlements for their injuries and losses. If you became a victim of crime because of your landlord’s negligence, we are ready to represent you in a court of law.

The time to file a claim is limited. Call (888) 273-1045 for immediate support. Our negligent security lawyers are available 24/7, every day of the week.

What Is Negligent Security?

With more and more residents looking for places to live, landlords are tempted to take shortcuts and skip background checks in the screening processes.

You may find yourself feeling unsafe in an apartment complex, not knowing if your neighbors or property employees are law-abiding citizens, or if your home is adequately protected from dangerous strangers.

Under Texas law, landlords and apartment complex owners are not obligated to protect their tenants and residents from crime. However, negligent security (a subset of premises liability) may allow you to hold your landlord liable if you suffer injury or loss from criminal activity on their property.

Here are a few examples of when you may be entitled to compensation after experiencing crime in an apartment complex:

• The prior crime rule. If the apartment complex experienced a series of crimes in a short amount of time, your landlord may become liable for future crimes if they fail to respond appropriately.
• The foreseeability doctrine. Your landlord is required to protect you from foreseeable harm. If, for example, someone reports suspicious activity, and the landlord does nothing to remedy the situation, they could be liable for subsequent crime because it could have been reasonably predicted (and prevented).
• Inadequate security. Apartment complex owners are not required by law to equip their property with certain security measures. If the property has broken gates, malfunctioning cameras, or missing security guards, however, your landlord may be failing to provide guaranteed amenities. If someone reports issues and the landlord fails to make necessary repairs, they may be liable for any resulting criminal activity.
• Negligent hiring. In Texas, landlords are required to administer background checks for all potential employees. If they hire someone with a history of violent crime, for example, and that employee commits a crime in the apartment complex, you may be eligible for compensation if you suffered injury or loss as a result.

Understanding the nuances of negligent security takes years of experience and rigorous training. Our lawyers are ready to answer all your questions and help you decide if you are entitled to damages.

FAQS Regarding Negligent Security

What is negligent security?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that holds a property owner or manager responsible when their failure to provide reasonable security measures allows a crime to occur, resulting in injury or loss.

It applies to apartment complexes, hotels, parking garages, shopping centers, and other properties where the owner had a duty to protect visitors or residents.

Can I sue my landlord if I was a victim of crime on their property?

You may be able to, if the crime was foreseeable and your landlord failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it. This can include ignoring a pattern of prior crimes on the property, failing to fix broken locks, gates, or lighting, not responding to reports of suspicious activity, or hiring an employee without conducting a required background check.

What evidence is needed to prove a negligent security claim?

Strong cases typically rely on a documented history of prior crimes at the property, maintenance and repair records showing known security defects, police reports, witness statements, and evidence the landlord was on notice of the danger.

Because property owners and their insurers often dispute liability, having an attorney gather and preserve this evidence early matters.

What compensation can I recover in a negligent security case?

You may recover medical expenses, lost income, and noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Some negligent security cases have resulted in million-dollar settlements, since the harm from a foreseeable, preventable crime can be severe. If a loved one was killed, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.

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

Generally two years from the date of the incident, and two years from the date of death in a wrongful death case. Evidence such as security footage and maintenance records can be lost or overwritten quickly, so it's important to have an attorney start preserving evidence as soon as possible.

Speak With a Negligent Security Lawyer Today

When you rent an apartment, you should be able to expect a certain level of safety and security. If your landlord is guilty of negligent property management or security, they must be held accountable.

The Daspit Law Firm is dedicated to helping Texas tenants successfully pursue justice, and we look forward to taking on your case as soon as possible.

Call our firm at (888) 273-1045 or schedule your consultation to begin building your case today.