Negligent Security Attorney
Last updated on April 15, 2025
Were you injured due to negligent security? We can help. Property owners in California owe a duty to visitors and guests to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe and free from major hazards. That duty doesn’t stop with preventing slip-and-fall accidents or burn injuries, however. In some cases, property owners can be held liable for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent crime or protect guests from criminal attacks. These are known as negligent security claims.
If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one due to negligent security in a retail space, restaurant or other location open to the public, you can contact the Law Offices of John H. Howard to discuss your legal options. Our legal team has more than 40 years of experience advocating for the injured. We have secured numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients nationwide, including those injured by criminal acts.
Examples Of Negligent Security Claims
The following scenarios provide examples of a potentially actionable negligent security claim:
- An apartment tenant is sexually assaulted by an intruder after the landlord knew the apartment locks were broken but failed to make timely repairs
- A college campus experiences a mass shooting after campus security and administrators failed to act on a credible threat and warnings from concerned students
- A sporting event patron is assaulted by other rowdy fans in the stadium parking lot, which was not patrolled by stadium security or even monitored by security cameras despite a history of similar events
- Mall security guards respond to disruptive teenagers with overly aggressive tactics, causing serious injuries
- An armed security guard at a bank fires his weapon in response to an attempted robbery and shoots an innocent bystander due to inadequate training
Anyone who commits a violent crime can and should be criminally prosecuted (and can be sued for civil damages as well). In some of the examples above, the negligence of property owners and managers also played a major role in allowing those crimes and injuries to occur. In others, property owners were negligent in hiring and training the security personnel responsible for very protecting guests.
Frequently Asked Questions About Negligent Security
The Law Offices of John H. Howard can help you start your negligent security claim. If you have any questions, you can ask our experienced firm.
What evidence is crucial to win a California negligent security case?
For a successful negligent security lawsuit, it is crucial to have evidence to support a claim. Here are a few common types of evidence that could be used to win a case:
- Security footage: Cameras on or around a property may have captured an accident or crime, and the lack of security may have contributed to the incident.
- Witness statements: An eyewitness may have been present during an incident and could provide details of the incident in a testimony.
- Prior crime reports: A property owner may have been notified that their property had potential dangers or attracted criminal activities because of a lack of security.
Our California negligent security lawyer can assist in collecting evidence to support your claim.
How do you determine liability in negligent security cases?
In California, liability is determined by providing evidence that a property owner had a duty of care to remove dangers on their property. They may have failed in their duty by neglecting to set up reasonable security. As a result of this neglect, the plaintiff was injured, resulting in medical damages and financial loss. If this can be proven with supporting evidence, the plaintiff can show that a property owner is liable for any damages.
What role does a client play during a negligent security legal claim process?
In a negligent security claim in Oxnard, the client’s credibility and testimony can be key to a successful claim. The more detailed a client can be about their experiences and the consequences of the injuries they have suffered, the easier it may be to build a case.
In a negligent security case, what are the potential outcomes and consequences?
If a negligent security case is successful, the defendant may be responsible for paying the plaintiff fair compensation for their medical bills and additional financial losses. The defendant may also be ordered to add additional security to their property to prevent further incidents.
To Contact Us About Your Legal Options:
Our office is in Oxnard, but we serve clients nationwide with a focus on the Tri-County area. We offer no-obligation consultations so that prospective clients can tell us their stories and learn how we can help. To schedule an appointment, call 805-309-9296 or submit an online contact form.