Negligent Security FAQs

Negligent security refers to a property owner or manager’s failure to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, tenants, or customers from foreseeable criminal acts or violence. If someone is harmed on another’s property due to insufficient security measures, such as lack of lighting, malfunctioning locks, broken fences, or absent security personnel, this may be considered negligent security. The key factor is whether the harm was foreseeable and could have been prevented through appropriate precautions.

Yes, you may be able to hold a property owner accountable if you suffered harm due to criminal activity on their premises, provided it can be shown that the owner failed to implement reasonable security measures. Under premises liability law, property owners owe a duty of care to lawful visitors. If the crime was foreseeable and the owner did not take steps to deter or prevent it, you may have grounds for a negligent security claim.

Negligent security claims can arise from a wide range of properties, including:

• Apartment complexes and condominiums
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping centers and malls
• Parking garages and lots
• Bars, clubs, and restaurants
• Office buildings
• Schools and college campuses
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities

Any property that is open to the public or invites guests has a legal obligation to provide reasonable security measures for the safety of visitors.