When you visit a place of business, stay at a hotel, or walk through a parking garage in Arlington, you have a right to expect a certain level of safety. Property owners and managers have a responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. When they fail to provide adequate security and someone gets hurt as a result, the consequences can be devastating.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an assault, robbery, or another violent crime on someone else’s property, it’s important to know you have rights. An experienced Arlington negligent security lawyer can help you explore your options for holding the property owner accountable.
At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we understand the physical, emotional, and financial trauma that follows such an event. Our compassionate attorneys are dedicated to helping survivors of crime seek justice and secure the resources they need to heal. We handle the legal details of your case so you can focus on what truly matters: your recovery.
Key Takeaways about Negligent Security Claims in Arlington, TX
- A negligent security claim arises when a person is harmed by a criminal act on someone else’s property due to the owner’s failure to provide reasonable security measures.
- These cases fall under a legal area known as premises liability, which holds property owners responsible for maintaining a safe environment for visitors.
- To succeed in a negligent security case, it is often necessary to show that the criminal act was “foreseeable” to the property owner.
- Property owners may be held liable for incidents at various locations, including apartment complexes, shopping centers, hotels, and entertainment venues.
- Compensation in these cases can cover medical expenses, lost income, and the significant emotional and physical pain caused by the traumatic event.
Why Choose Branch & Dhillon, P.C. for Your Negligent Security Claim?
Choosing the right legal team is a critical step in your journey toward justice. At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we offer a unique combination of compassionate client care and determined legal representation. We know you are going through an unimaginable time, and our entire approach is designed to lift the legal burden from your shoulders.
- Focused on Your Recovery: We want you to heal. Our team takes charge of every legal detail, from investigating the incident to negotiating with insurance companies, allowing you to dedicate your energy to your physical and emotional well-being.
- Passionate, Client-Centered Advocacy: We are a personal injury law firm that focuses solely on representing plaintiffs—the people who have been injured. Our passion is fighting for individuals, not large corporations. We get to know you and your story so we can powerfully advocate for your best interests.
- Powerful Results, No Upfront Costs: Our firm has a proven history of standing up to large property management companies and their insurance carriers. We operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This removes any financial risk and allows you to access dedicated legal support when you need it most.
We believe that our focused approach provides the dedicated attention and aggressive representation necessary to pursue a successful outcome in your case.
Understanding Negligent Security in Texas
Negligent security is a specific type of premises liability claim. In simple terms, “premises liability” is the legal concept that requires property owners to keep their property reasonably safe for people who are legally there. A negligent security lawyer helps to prove that a property owner failed in this fundamental duty.
The core of a negligent security claim is the idea of “duty of care.” This is a legal term for the owner’s obligation to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. This doesn’t mean a property owner is responsible for every crime that happens on their property. However, it does mean they must implement reasonable security measures to prevent crimes they knew, or should have known, could happen. This duty is outlined in Texas law, which establishes the responsibilities property owners have towards their visitors.
For example, if an apartment complex is in an area with a history of break-ins, the owner should know there is a risk. Failing to install working locks on doors, fix broken gates, or ensure adequate lighting in hallways could be considered a breach of their duty of care.
Common Locations for Negligent Security Incidents in Arlington
Inadequate security can lead to tragic events anywhere people gather. In a busy area like Arlington and the greater Tarrant County, certain locations require heightened attention to safety due to the high volume of visitors or the nature of the property itself.
Some common places where negligent security claims arise include:
- Apartment & Condominium Complexes
- Shopping Malls & Retail Centers
- Hotels, Motels, & Extended-Stay Residences
- Entertainment & Sports Venues
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
- Parking Garages & Lots
If you were harmed at one of these or any other commercial property, the owner may be responsible for the lack of reasonable security that contributed to the incident.
What Constitutes Reasonable Security?
The key word in any negligent security case is “reasonable.” The law doesn’t expect a small convenience store to have the same level of security as a major sports stadium. The required security measures depend on factors like the type of property, its location, and any history of prior criminal activity in the area. An Arlington negligent security attorney can help evaluate whether the security provided was reasonable for the specific circumstances.
Common Security Failures That Can Lead to Liability
Determining what is “reasonable” involves looking at what a prudent property owner would do in a similar situation. Often, a personal injury claim arises from a clear failure to implement basic and necessary safeguards.
Some common examples of inadequate security include:
- Inadequate Lighting: Dark parking lots, hallways, stairwells, and walkways can conceal attackers and make it difficult for people to spot potential dangers.
- Broken Locks, Gates, or Fences: A security gate that is always broken or a lock on a common-area door that doesn’t latch properly provides a false sense of security and an easy entry point for criminals.
- Lack of Trained Security Personnel: In many high-risk locations, having visible and properly trained security guards on patrol is a necessary deterrent.
- Malfunctioning or Non-existent Security Cameras: Surveillance cameras can deter crime and are invaluable for identifying perpetrators after an incident. Failing to install or maintain them can be a sign of negligence.
- Failure to Respond to Security Concerns: If tenants or visitors have previously complained about safety issues (like broken lights or suspicious individuals) and management does nothing, this can be strong evidence of negligence.
These failures are not just minor oversights; they are breaches of a property owner’s duty to prioritize the safety of the people they invite onto their premises.
Proving a Negligent Security Claim in Tarrant County
To successfully bring a negligent security lawsuit, you and your attorney must prove several key elements. It isn’t enough to show that you were injured on someone else’s property. You must connect your injury directly to the property owner’s failure to provide adequate security.
Here are the four essential elements of a claim:
- Duty: You must establish that the property owner owed you a “duty of care.” In Texas, the level of duty depends on your status as a visitor (invitee, licensee, or trespasser). Most customers, tenants, and guests are considered “invitees,” to whom the property owner owes the highest duty of care.
- Breach: You must show that the property owner breached, or violated, this duty by failing to provide reasonable security. This involves demonstrating one or more of the security failures mentioned earlier.
- Causation: This is often the most challenging part. You must prove that the property owner’s breach of duty was a direct cause of your injuries. This means showing that the crime likely would not have happened, or would have been less severe, if adequate security had been in place.
- Damages: Finally, you must demonstrate that you suffered actual harm, or “damages.” This includes medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, and emotional trauma.
Building a strong case requires a thorough investigation, including gathering evidence like police reports, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage.
The Critical Role of Foreseeability
A central concept in Texas negligent security law is “foreseeability.” To hold a property owner liable, your attorney generally needs to show that the owner knew or should have known that a similar crime was likely to occur on their property.
How is foreseeability established?
- Prior Crimes on the Property: A history of assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes at that specific location is powerful evidence.
- High-Crime Area: If the property is located in an area with a high rate of crime, the owner is expected to be aware of the increased risk. Crime statistics for Arlington and Tarrant County, which are often publicly available, can be used to establish this.
- Nature of the Business: Some businesses, like bars or late-night convenience stores, carry an inherent risk of criminal activity that requires more robust security measures.
- Previous Complaints: If tenants or customers had previously warned the property owner about specific security vulnerabilities, this demonstrates that the owner was on notice of the danger.
An experienced lawyer knows how to investigate and gather the evidence needed to establish foreseeability and build a compelling case on your behalf.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Negligent Security Lawsuit?
No amount of money can erase the trauma of being a victim of a violent crime. However, pursuing a negligent security claim can provide the financial resources necessary for you and your family to move forward and heal. It also holds negligent property owners accountable, which can help prevent similar tragedies from happening to others in the community.
The compensation, or “damages,” available in a successful claim can include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all past and future medical costs related to your injuries, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and psychological counseling.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can be compensated for the income you have lost and any future reduction in your ability to earn a living.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by your injuries.
- Mental Anguish: This addresses the significant emotional and psychological trauma from the event, which can include anxiety, depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), experiencing a traumatic event is a primary risk factor for developing PTSD.
- Disfigurement or Physical Impairment: If the attack left you with permanent scarring or a lasting physical disability, you can seek compensation for this.
At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we work diligently to document the full extent of your losses to ensure we are fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
How an Arlington Negligent Security Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Trying to handle a complex legal claim at the same time can feel impossible. This is where the team at Branch & Dhillon, P.C. steps in. We are here to be your advocates, your guides, and your support system through the legal process.
A negligent security lawyer from our firm will:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: We will immediately begin gathering all available evidence, including incident reports, surveillance video, witness statements, and records of prior crimes at the location.
- Handle All Communications: We will take over all communication with the property owner, their insurance company, and their lawyers, protecting you from pressure and intimidation tactics.
- Build a Strong Legal Strategy: We will analyze the evidence to build a powerful case that establishes the property owner’s negligence and its direct link to your injuries.
- Fight for Fair Compensation: We will aggressively negotiate for a full and fair settlement that covers all of your damages. If the other side is unwilling to be reasonable, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial in Tarrant County.
Our goal is simple: to secure the justice and financial stability you need to rebuild your life, while you focus on healing.
Arlington Negligent Security FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions we receive about inadequate security claims.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including negligent security claims, is generally two years from the date of the injury. This means you typically have two years to file a lawsuit. It is crucial to contact an attorney well before this deadline expires, as building a strong case takes time.
Yes. A negligent security claim is a civil action against the property owner for their failure to provide a safe environment. It is separate from any criminal case against the attacker. You can pursue compensation from the property owner even if the perpetrator is never identified or convicted.
Texas follows a “modified comparative fault” rule. This means that if you are found to be partially responsible for your injuries, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover damages as long as you are not found to be 51% or more at fault.
At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs to you. We only receive a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a court verdict.
Contact Our Arlington Negligent Security Lawyers Today
At Branch & Dhillon, P.C., we are here to provide the compassionate support and determined legal representation you need to seek justice. We will stand by your side, fight for your rights, and work tirelessly to hold negligent property owners accountable.
Let our personal injury lawyers handle the legal battle so you can focus on healing. Contact Branch & Dhillon, P.C. today at (817) 533-3430 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case.