Being the victim of a crime is traumatic, especially when it results in serious injuries. The pain is even greater when inadequate security creates an opportunity for an attacker. If negligent security played a role in your injury, you may have a legal claim against the property owner. At Nagel Rice LLP, we hold negligent parties accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve. With over three decades of success and more than a billion dollars recovered for our clients, we have the experience and resources to help.
What Is Negligent Security?
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for visitors, tenants, and customers. Failure to provide adequate security can lead to violent crimes, including assaults, robberies, and other attacks. Negligent security cases arise when a lack of proper precautions leads to preventable harm.
Common examples of negligent security include:
- Inadequate lighting – Poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, and walkways create hiding spots for criminals.
- Lack of security personnel – Properties in high-crime areas often require security guards to deter violence.
- Broken or missing security cameras – Surveillance footage helps prevent crime and provides critical evidence.
- Defective locks or unsecured entrances – Failing to secure doors, gates, and windows can allow unauthorized access.
When a property owner knows about security risks but does nothing to address them, they can be held liable for injuries that occur as a result.
Where Negligent Security Incidents Happen
Negligent security incidents can occur anywhere property owners fail to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, customers, or tenants. These cases often involve businesses and public spaces where people expect a safe environment. Common locations include:
- Apartment complexes and condominiums – Unsecured entryways, broken locks, or inadequate lighting can put residents at risk.
- Hotels and resorts – A lack of security personnel or surveillance can lead to assaults or theft.
- Shopping malls and retail stores – Insufficient security in parking lots and common areas may invite crime.
- Parking garages and lots – Poor lighting and a lack of monitoring make these areas dangerous.
- Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues – Overcrowding and untrained security staff can lead to violent incidents.
- Office buildings and workplaces – Employers must take reasonable steps to ensure a safe working environment.
When property owners ignore security concerns, visitors and residents may suffer serious harm.
Crimes That Occur Due to Negligent Security
Some crimes, like fraud or vandalism, go unnoticed until long after they occur. But when a crime involves direct confrontation, the trauma can be devastating. Inadequate security can make these violent crimes more likely:
- Robbery (armed or unarmed)
- Rape or sexual assault
- Physical assault or battery
- Stalking or harassment
- Carjacking or kidnapping
- Threats of violence
If you’ve been a victim of one of these crimes, you understand the fear of being vulnerable in an unsafe environment. Property owners must take reasonable steps to prevent these dangers, and when they don’t, we hold them accountable.
Injuries and Losses in Negligent Security Cases
Victims of negligent security often suffer severe physical, emotional, and financial harm. When property owners fail to provide adequate security, violent crimes can leave lasting consequences.
Common injuries include:
- Head trauma – Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), or skull fractures from attacks or falls.
- Broken bones – Fractures from assaults, robberies, or forced restraint.
- Lacerations and bruises – Cuts, bruises, or deep wounds from weapons or physical altercations.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage leading to paralysis or long-term mobility issues.
- Psychological trauma – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression caused by violent encounters.
Beyond physical harm, victims face significant financial and emotional losses, such as:
- Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Emotional distress and diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
We fight to recover compensation for these losses and ensure you receive the financial support you need to heal.
Why We Hold the Property Owner Accountable, Not the Criminal
Property owners—whether private or commercial—have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for visitors, tenants, and customers. If you were injured in a criminal attack on someone else’s property, the owner may be liable for failing to provide reasonable security. We focus on holding the property owner accountable because:
- The owner is easy to locate, while the criminal may never be caught.
- The owner likely has insurance that can cover your damages.
- The owner is more likely to have assets that may be used to compensate you.
To win your case, we will gather evidence proving the owner failed to take reasonable security measures, making the crime foreseeable. We will also use medical records and expert testimony to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Negligent Security Attorneys
If you’ve suffered serious injuries due to negligent security, you may be facing physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship. While law enforcement pursues the offender, the negligent property owner should also be held accountable. At Nagel Rice LLP, we fight for victims like you, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. We don’t charge attorneys’ fees unless we win your case—let’s start building your claim and pursuing justice together.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.