If you or a loved one suffered from criminal activity, contact our Houston personal injury lawyers at The Ammons Law Firm for a 
Property Owners’ Responsibility For Personal Injuries Caused by Criminal Activity
Crimes can happen almost anywhere at any time. However, property owners and lessees must ensure that visitors are reasonably safe from criminal activity. For example, the owners of restaurants, stores, or shopping malls should minimize the risk to patrons by providing adequate security equipment and ensuring criminals don’t take advantage of lax security. Depending on the nature of the premises, this could include adequate lighting, locks, security cameras, and other necessary installations.
If a crime occurs on another’s property, you can prove that the owner or operator had failed to provide adequate security and recover compensation for the injuries you suffered.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security incidents can include:
- Battery
- Sexual assault
- Violent robberies
- Shootings
- Stabbings
- Homicides
Criminal activity can occur much more widely if property owners refuse to provide adequate measures to protect their visitors from falling prey to criminals.
Where Do Negligent Security Crimes Happen?
Crimes due to a lack of security can happen anywhere on public or private property, including:
- Grocery stores
- Housing complexes
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Bars and Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Parking lots and garages
- Government offices
- Schools and Colleges
- Public transit
Crimes Caused by a Lack of Security
Here are some examples of when a property owner’s failure to install adequate protection for visitors could lead to avoidable crimes:
- Inadequate Lighting in Parking Lots: Poorly lit parking lots and garages can make visitors vulnerable to theft, assaults, and even carjackings.
- Unsecured Entrances: Property owners must secure their premises adequately. Neglecting to fix locks, broken doors, and windows can allow criminals access, providing them the opportunity to commit crimes.
- Lack of Security Guards: Security personnel are essential to maintain order and safety in high-risk locations, such as bars or entertainment venues. Attacks, assaults, and shootings may occur if a property owner puts profits before security and fails to hire security staff.
- Defective Security Systems: Security cameras, alarms, and other advanced systems must be properly maintained, or they can become ineffective.
- Negligent Security at Apartment Complexes: Owners of apartment complexes are responsible for the safety of residents. Without adequate security, such as entry systems and proper lighting, residents can be vulnerable to burglaries, attacks, and other crimes.
- Failure to Background Check Employees: Businesses failing to vet employees properly may unwittingly employ criminals, potentially leading to theft, fraud, or even violence against customers.
Victims of Criminal Activity Could Recover Damages
If you were injured due to criminal activity, the compensation you could recover would depend on the specifics of your claim and the severity of your injuries. You could receive the following damages and others:
- Healthcare Expenses: You could be entitled to medical expenses, including medications, diagnostic testing, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other costs.
- Loss of Income: If you lost income due to the crime, you could receive damages such as wage losses and loss of future earning capacity.
- Non-Economic Damages: You could receive various non-economic damages, such as physical pain, emotional distress, reduced life enjoyment, and others.
A personal injury attorney at the Ammons Law Firm can protect your rights and fight for maximum compensation if you were severely injured due to negligent security.
We Can Help You Get Justice
The Ammons Law Firm has been fighting for the injured for decades, including those severely hurt in avoidable crimes. We want to help you, too, receive the compensation you need to manage your future life if a criminal attack or assault severely impacts you.
The sooner you take steps to hold the responsible party to account for your damages, the sooner you can put this upsetting time behind you and move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation to discover your next best steps.
You can read our personal injury law resource to learn more about the cases we handle.
Call our Houston personal injury attorneys at (281) 801-5617 today to get started with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
