Apartment Negligent Security Lawsuits

Apartment Complex Negligent Security Lawsuits

The law safeguards the rights of residents in apartment complexes, ensuring property owners and landlords fulfill their obligations to tenants. RELATED CONTENT: Alabama Negligent Security Lawsuit Maryland Negligent Security Lawsuit Missouri Negligent Security Lawsuit Nevada Negligent Security Lawsuit Texas Negligent Security Lawsuit

Lawyers Holding Apartments Accountable

Our lawyers nationwide pursue negligent security lawsuits against apartment complexes. Apartment complexes are legally responsible when they fail to meet their safety obligations to residents. Landlords have a duty to ensure the safety and habitability of their properties, including maintaining structural integrity, managing health risks, and implementing adequate security measures. Lawsuits arise when an apartment complex’s failure to meet these responsibilities results in resident harm or injury, often involving severe injuries or death. If you have a potential negligent security claim against your apartment complex, call us at 800-553-8082 for a free consultation or contact us online.

10 Types of Negligent Security Lawsuits Against Apartments

Our lawyers have handled various negligent security lawsuits against apartment complexes. Here are ten common grounds for these lawsuits:

1. Inadequate Lighting: Insufficient lighting in common areas like hallways, parking lots, and stairwells can attract criminals by providing cover.
2. Faulty or Non-Functional Locks: Doors and windows should have high-quality, working locks. Failure to repair or provide adequate locks can grant easy access to criminals.
3. Lack of Security Cameras: Security cameras deter crime and provide evidence. Complexes in high-crime areas without functioning surveillance increase the risk of criminal activity.
4. Insufficient Security Guards: Larger complexes or those in high-crime areas may need security guards. Inadequate staffing, training, or presence can constitute negligence.
5. Lack of Secure Entrances and Exits: Easy access for non-residents due to a lack of secure entry systems (keycards, coded entry, doormen) increases crime risk.
6. No Security Alarms: Complexes in high-crime areas should consider installing functional security alarms in each apartment.
7. Failure to Address Reported Security Concerns: Ignoring tenant reports of suspicious activity or potential threats can be negligent.
8. Negligent Tenant Screening: Failing to conduct thorough background checks on tenants can put other residents at risk if individuals with violent histories are allowed to reside in the complex.
9. Lack of Maintenance or Overgrown Landscaping: Neglected maintenance can create hiding spots for criminals, signaling weak security.
10. Failure to Implement or Enforce Visitor Control Procedures: Poorly enforced visitor access procedures can allow non-residents to slip through and harm tenants.

The underlying issue in these cases is often a lack of sufficient care for tenant safety.

What a Negligent Security Lawyer Does in a Lawsuit?

A negligent security lawyer investigates cases where an apartment is liable for a criminal attack on a tenant. Establishing liability requires proving that the criminal activity was reasonably foreseeable and preventable with appropriate security measures, based on factors like the area’s crime rate. The process involves:

• Comprehensive client interviews.
• Meticulous review of lease agreements.
• Obtaining and reviewing crime reports and neighborhood statistics to assess foreseeability.
• Interviewing witnesses for insights into the crime and its aftermath.
• Preserving the crime scene and physical evidence.
• Thorough investigation of the full extent of physical and psychological damages to the victim.
• Examining the apartment complex’s security standards to determine adequacy.
• Gathering information about the apartment complex, including past lawsuits and complaints.
• Consulting with crime victims’ agencies for resources and advice.
• Reviewing security industry literature to establish best practices.
• Utilizing expert witnesses (security experts, product experts, industry experts) to provide compelling testimony.
• Developing evidence of both physical and psychological injuries, including trauma, personality changes, and behavioral shifts.

Condominium Associations Negligent Security Lawsuits

Condominium associations can also face negligent security lawsuits, as residents pay for adequate protection. These claims often involve issues like lighting, lack of security cameras, and alarms. Courts generally apply a similar standard to condominium associations as to landlords regarding third-party criminal behavior. Liability is based on breaching a statutory or contractual obligation or negligence directly causing the damage. Lawsuits are stronger if the condo complex’s rules or bylaws required specific preventative actions. While tougher than cases against apartment complexes, these lawsuits are winnable under the right circumstances.

Taking Legal Action

If you are a crime victim due to negligent security, consult an experienced negligent security lawyer to analyze the incident, identify breaches of duty, and work towards holding the responsible parties accountable.

Defendants in Apartment Negligent Security Cases

Potentially liable parties in negligent security lawsuits involving apartments or condominiums include:

• Owner of the Complex: Always liable, regardless of direct involvement in maintenance, and typically has insurance or financial resources.
• Management Company: Often hired to run and maintain the property, assuming the owner’s legal obligations for security.
• Security Contractors: Third-party companies hired for security can be liable if negligent in their duties.
• Other Third-Party Contractors: Can be sued for negligent installation or maintenance of security features (e.g., locks, access systems).

Verdicts & Settlements in Apartment Negligent Security Cases

Below are summaries of prior verdicts and publicly reported settlements in negligent security cases against apartment complexes and/or condos (for informational purposes only, not indicative of future results):

• $1,690,000 Settlement (Florida): Deaths at an apartment complex with unmanned 24-hour security due to underpaid and absent guards.
• $2,000,000 Verdict (Texas): Death of a mother stabbed by an ex-boyfriend allowed onto the premises by a security guard.
• $1,500,000 Settlement (Missouri): Rape and sodomy of a visitor at a complex with inadequate security, non-working cameras, and no perimeter patrol.
• $8,150,000 Verdict (Texas): Death of a teacher assaulted and strangled in a restroom at a complex with insufficient security and a negligent assistant manager.
• $800,000 Settlement (Georgia): Rape and assault of a resident at a complex with inadequate security and unsafe premises.
• $2,700,000 Verdict (Michigan): Rape and assault of an apartment complex employee due to negligent security measures.
• $75,000 Settlement (Washington): Rape of a resident at a complex that inadequately warned of prior rapes and failed to secure sliders.
• $2,338,000 Verdict (New Jersey): Shooting of a resident at a complex with unsafe conditions, inadequate security equipment, and poorly trained security guards.

Contact Us About Your Negligent Security Lawsuit

If you have a negligent security lawsuit contact our personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation or contact us online.