If you were injured on the grounds of a business, you could have a negligent security claim in Texas. Negligent security claims hold property owners responsible when they fail to maintain safe conditions on the property. For example, a victim of a robbery, assault, or other crime on the premises could have a negligent security claim if the property owner failed to implement reasonable safety measures, such as proper lighting and security guards. These kinds of incidents could occur at various commercial properties, such as parking garages and lots, shopping centers, hotels, apartment buildings, or nightclubs.
When injured victims approach our firm, we explore all possible legal claims, including negligent security. A negligent security claim is one way to hold a property owner accountable for dangerous conditions that led to your injuries. Our lawyers hold businesses responsible and help our clients get the compensation they deserve.
Texas Negligent Security Claim Basics
A Texas negligent security claim is a type of premises liability claim, meaning a property owner is held responsible for an injury occurring on their property. Like many personal injury claims, the standard for negligent security is whether the property owner was negligent. Negligence in this context means that they failed to protect a patron or visitor from foreseeable dangerous conditions on the property, and reasonable safety measures could have prevented the danger. Examples of dangerous conditions could include:
- Poor lighting in parking lots or hallways
- No security guards, bouncers, or other security measures such as metal detectors
- No surveillance cameras or broken cameras
- Door locks, fences, and gates are inadequately maintained or broken
- There has been known criminal activity on the property, but visitors aren’t warned
- Inadequately trained staff or being understaffed
Unfortunately, these types of security lapses can lead to assaults, robberies, or other crimes on the premises. Security risks are often easily fixable, or visitors can be warned. But if a property owner still fails to keep their property safe despite the danger being foreseeable, they could face a negligent security claim.
Common Safety Measures at Commercial Properties
Certain security measures are appropriate for specific types of commercial properties. When property owners fail to take those security measures, visitors may become victims of crime. For example, poorly lit parking garages and lots with no cameras could increase the risk of robberies, assaults, and car burglaries or thefts. Bars and nightclubs often need bouncers, security staff, or metal detectors to keep patrons safe. Hotels and apartment complexes need good locks on the doors, well-lit hallways, and secure entryways. Shopping centers need anti-theft measures, good lighting, and cameras to protect shoppers.
If you’ve been injured in a crime at one of these commercial properties, talk to a lawyer about your options. At Allen & Nunnally, we investigate our clients’ cases to uncover evidence such as broken security cameras, bad lighting, or absent security guards. Lack of appropriate security that caused or contributed to your injury could be grounds for a negligent security claim in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
I was assaulted in a dark parking lot. Could I have a negligent security claim?
Please give our firm a call if you are in this situation. A dark parking lot is the kind of foreseeable dangerous condition that a property owner could have fixed to avoid danger to you and others. During our investigation, we might try to demonstrate how poor the lighting was at the time you were assaulted or determine if any other crimes happened in the parking lot.
The staff at my hotel mopped the floor and left a pool of water. I slipped and fell. Can I hold them accountable?
While a slip and fall accident is probably not a negligent security case, the hotel might be liable under a more general theory of premises liability. The hotel owes a duty of care to guests. If a guest is hurt because the hotel staff left a pool of water in the walkway without a warning sign, the hotel has violated that duty of care. We encourage slip and fall victims to contact us and schedule a consultation. You may have the right to compensation for your injuries.
We’re First to Fight for Victims Injured Due to Negligent Security
Were you hurt or assaulted while on the premises of a business? You could have a negligent security or premises liability claim. At Allen & Nunnally, we work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients’ cases. Injured Texans trust us to fight for the compensation they deserve. We have a steadfast commitment to client service that you can depend on. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, call (713) 955-2217, use our convenient Contact Form, or email us at info@allen-nunnally.com.