When you visit a property—whether it’s a shopping mall, apartment complex, hotel, or entertainment venue—you have the right to expect reasonable security measures that protect you from foreseeable harm. This responsibility, part of premises liability law, means property owners must maintain a safe environment for visitors.
Negligent security occurs when an owner or manager fails to take reasonable steps—like maintaining proper lighting, providing security personnel, installing surveillance, or controlling access—to reduce the risk of criminal acts such as assaults. When these safeguards are ignored and you are assaulted, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered an assault due to inadequate security measures, the attorneys at Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A. can help you hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Common Examples of Negligent Security That May Lead to Assault
Negligent security occurs when property owners or managers fail to provide reasonable safety measures that prevent foreseeable criminal acts like assault. This failure creates dangerous environments where criminals can exploit vulnerabilities in security systems to harm visitors or tenants. If you are assaulted on someone else’s property due to such lapses, the property owner may be held legally responsible for failing in their duty to keep you safe. In these cases, pursuing a claim can help hold negligent parties accountable and potentially recover damages for your injuries and suffering.
Common examples of negligent security include:
- Broken or missing locks on doors and gates
- Poor or inadequate lighting in parking lots, stairwells, and other vulnerable or secluded areas
- Malfunctioning or absent surveillance cameras
- Lack of security personnel or untrained security staff, especially in high-risk locations
- Broken or missing fencing or barriers that should control access
- Failure to repair known security hazards or address previous incidents
- Insufficient monitoring of property entrances and exits
If you have been assaulted due to such negligent security conditions, seeking justice is crucial not only to hold property owners accountable but also to help cover medical bills, therapy, and other trauma-related expenses. A strong legal claim can ensure that negligent property owners bear responsibility for the harm caused and provide you with the compensation needed to support your recovery.
Types of Properties Where Negligent Security Assaults Occur
Certain areas and property types are more commonly associated with negligent security assaults due to the higher risks of criminal activity and vulnerabilities in their security measures. Assaults often happen in locations where property owners may fail to provide sufficient lighting, security personnel, surveillance, or controlled access, especially in areas that are less visible or isolated. These lapses create opportunities for assailants to commit violent acts such as sexual assaults, putting visitors and tenants in danger.
Common types of properties where negligent security assaults occur include:
- Apartment Complexes and Rental Properties, where poor locks, unsecured entrances, and a lack of patrols can lead to assaults
- Hotels and Motels, which may have inadequate security staff or malfunctioning locks on guest rooms
- Bars, Nightclubs, and Restaurants often face incidents from insufficient crowd control or untrained security personnel
- Parking Garages and Public Lots, known for poor lighting and a lack of surveillance that create danger zones
- Shopping Centers and Retail Stores, where absent or faulty security measures increase the risk of violent crimes
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Negligent Security Case?
Liability may extend beyond just the property owner. Potentially responsible parties can include:
- Property owners and landlords, responsible for the overall safety and security of the premises
- Business operators who manage daily operations and security staffing
- Property management companies are tasked with maintaining security systems and policies
- Security contractors or companies hired to provide security personnel and monitor surveillance
- Other involved entities, such as franchisors or tenants, depending on the circumstances
Identifying all potentially liable parties is essential to maximizing your compensation, as it broadens the scope of responsibility and increases the chances of recovering the damages needed to cover medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and other costs resulting from the assault. An experienced negligent security attorney can help uncover all responsible parties and build a stronger case to hold them accountable.
What to Do If You Were Assaulted Due to Negligent Security
After experiencing an assault due to negligent security, the first step is to seek legal counsel to understand your rights and options.
Here are important steps to take after an assault caused by negligent security:
- Seek immediate medical attention to document injuries and begin treatment
- Report the assault to the police and obtain a copy of the official police report
- Document the scene by taking photos or videos, especially noting broken locks, poor lighting, or absent security cameras
- Collect witness contact information and statements if available
- Notify the property owner or manager about the assault in writing
- Contact an experienced negligent security attorney to evaluate and pursue your claim
Reaching out to SBWD Law as soon as possible ensures you take the right steps early on with expert legal guidance to preserve crucial evidence and meet all deadlines. Their experienced attorneys will advocate on your behalf to hold negligent property owners accountable and work to secure the compensation you need to support your recovery from both physical and emotional harm.
Can I Sue for an Assault That Happened on Someone Else’s Property?
If you were attacked on someone else’s property and poor security contributed to it, you may have a civil negligent security claim. In Maryland, property owners have a duty to take reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable harm. When they fail, they can be held financially responsible.
This is different from criminal charges against your assailant, which are prosecuted by the state to punish wrongdoing. Criminal cases do not give you direct financial recovery. A civil case allows you to pursue compensation for medical bills, emotional harm, lost wages, and other losses.
In many situations, victims follow both routes—working with prosecutors in the criminal case and with their own attorney on a civil claim.
When Property Owners Are Considered Negligent
Property owners are considered negligent when they knew—or should have known—about safety risks on their property but failed to take reasonable steps to fix them. This can include ignoring past criminal activity, failing to repair broken locks or lighting, or neglecting to provide security personnel in a high-risk area. Negligence hinges on foreseeability: if a reasonable property owner would have anticipated the risk of an assault and acted to prevent it, but the owner in question did not, they may be held responsible.
To prove negligence, evidence must show that the unsafe condition existed, the owner failed to correct it, and this failure directly led to the assault and your injuries. An experienced negligent security attorney can help gather this evidence, making sure your case is as strong as possible.
Compensation Available in a Negligent Security Lawsuit
The timeline for receiving compensation in a negligent security lawsuit can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and the willingness of the parties to negotiate or litigate. Some victims may receive compensation relatively quickly through a settlement, often within a few months, especially if the liability is clear and the property owner’s insurer cooperates.
However, more complex cases that go to trial can take several months to years to resolve. Compensation is typically obtained by filing a claim against the negligent property owner or responsible parties, either through settlement negotiations or by pursuing a lawsuit. Throughout this process, it is crucial to gather and preserve evidence, document all damages, and meet all legal deadlines to avoid jeopardizing your claim.
Types of compensation you may be able to pursue after an assault due to negligent security include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, ongoing treatment, and therapy
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity due to personal injury
- Pain and suffering related to physical and emotional trauma
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Property damage resulting from the incident
- Loss of enjoyment of life and other non-economic damages
- In some cases, punitive damages are designed to punish particularly egregious negligence
To maximize your compensation, it is essential to work with an experienced negligent security attorney who will ensure that you meet all filing deadlines, avoid common pitfalls, and identify all liable parties to strengthen your claim. An attorney guides you on the documentation needed, helps negotiate with insurance companies, and is prepared to take your case to trial if necessary to secure the full amount of damages you deserve.
How SBWD Law Helps Victims of Assault Due to Negligent Security
Talk to a Maryland Attorney About Your Negligent Security Case
If you’ve been assaulted because a property owner or manager failed to provide adequate safety, you may be dealing with the physical pain, emotional toll, and financial strain such incidents bring. The Maryland attorneys at Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey, P.A. (SBWD Law) are committed to providing clear guidance, personal attention, and the legal support needed to hold negligent parties accountable. Our focus is on protecting your rights and helping you secure the resources necessary to aid in your recovery.
When you contact our firm, you will find a legal team that listens carefully, takes immediate action to preserve important evidence, and develops a strategy tailored to your circumstances. We handle every aspect of the process, from investigating what went wrong to negotiating with insurance companies or litigating in court, so you can concentrate on your health and well-being. If you or someone you care about has been assaulted on another person’s property in Maryland due to negligent security, reach out to SBWD Law for a free, confidential consultation and learn the next steps toward holding those responsible for your injuries legally liable.
