Houston Negligent Security Lawyer

When businesses and landlords cut corners on safety, innocent people pay the price. Assaults, robberies, and violent crimes often happen in places where property owners ignored clear risks—leaving victims traumatized and families broken.

At Daly & Black, P.C., we stand with those who have suffered because of negligent security. Our Houston negligent security lawyers are ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. to fight back against negligent property owners and their insurers. Schedule your free consultation today and start holding them accountable.

Call us today and schedule a free consultation with a negligent security attorney who knows what it takes to win.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability case. It arises when a property owner fails to provide reasonable measures to protect visitors and tenants from foreseeable criminal acts.

Examples include broken locks on apartment gates, burned-out lighting in parking lots, lack of security personnel in high-crime areas, or absent surveillance cameras. When these failures create opportunities for crime, victims may have grounds for inadequate security claims against the property owner.

Basic Security Requirements Under Texas Law

Texas law places certain minimum obligations on property owners to ensure residential dwellings are reasonably secure.

For instance, under Texas Property Code § 92.153, landlords must provide fundamental safety features such as door locks or deadbolts, peepholes on exterior doors, window latches, and security devices on sliding glass doors. These requirements reflect the state’s recognition that basic safeguards are essential to protect tenants and visitors. When landlords or property owners ignore these standards, they increase the risk of crime and open themselves up to negligent security claims.

The Role of Foreseeability in Negligent Security Cases

Foreseeability is the legal principle that often determines whether a property owner can be held responsible for a crime committed on their premises. Owners are not automatically liable for every criminal act, but when danger was reasonably predictable, the law may require them to answer for the harm.

In Texas, the extent of a landowner’s responsibility can depend on the status of the visitor—whether they were a tenant, customer, or invited guest—and on whether the property owner took reasonable steps to reduce risks.

The law requires property owners to exercise ordinary care: fixing hazards they know about, warning visitors of dangers they cannot immediately correct, and regularly inspecting for problems. That duty extends to protecting lawful visitors from crimes that a prudent owner should expect might occur.

Foreseeability is most often at issue in violent crimes such as robbery, assault, or sexual assault, but it may also apply to other incidents like burglary if the crime leads to injury. To prove foreseeability, courts may look at factors such as:

• Prior incidents of crime on or near the property.
• Crime patterns in the surrounding neighborhood.
• The type and location of the property, since urban and residential areas often carry higher risks than rural or commercial spaces.

At Daly & Black, we devote significant resources to establishing foreseeability. Our attorneys examine police records, crime data, and maintenance logs to demonstrate that a property owner knew, or should have known, that stronger security was necessary.

By connecting these facts, we show how a failure to act opened the door for violence. Because foreseeability is so often the deciding factor, it remains a central focus in every negligent security case we pursue.

Common Examples of Negligent Security in Houston

Before looking at specific settings where negligent security often occurs, it helps to understand that these cases can arise in many different environments. From residential complexes to commercial spaces, failures in basic safety measures can leave visitors and tenants vulnerable to violent crime. The following subsections outline some of the most common scenarios we see in Houston.

Apartment Complexes and Rental Housing

Tenants are often targeted when landlords fail to maintain gates, lighting, or functional locks. Assaults and robberies inside poorly secured complexes are unfortunately common.

Bars, Nightclubs, and Restaurants

Overcrowding, poorly trained bouncers, and absent surveillance make patrons vulnerable to fights, assaults, or worse. Business owners who profit from nightlife have a duty to provide reasonable security.

Hotels and Motels

Guests trust that their rooms and common areas will be safe. When locks are broken, hallways are dark, or staff is untrained, assaults and thefts can happen far too easily.

Parking Lots and Garages

Dimly lit or unmonitored garages often become hotspots for robberies, assaults, and carjackings. Property owners who neglect security in these spaces put visitors at serious risk.

Retail Stores and Shopping Centers

From mall parking lots to storefront entrances, retail operators who fail to provide adequate security create dangerous conditions for customers.

Your Rights Under Houston Premises Liability Law

Under Texas premises liability law, property owners must provide reasonably safe conditions for those lawfully on their property. This duty extends to protecting against foreseeable third-party criminal acts. When they fail, victims may pursue claims for damages with the help of a premises liability lawyer Houston trusts. Proving foreseeability—through prior incidents, crime data, and complaints—is often the deciding factor in these cases.

How a Houston Negligent Security Lawyer Can Help

Working with a skilled attorney is critical in these cases. A Houston negligent security attorney at Daly & Black can:

Investigating the Incident

Our attorneys start by conducting a thorough investigation. We collect police reports, review surveillance footage, and take witness statements to reconstruct the circumstances of the crime. This evidence lays the foundation for proving that negligent security directly contributed to the harm.

Establishing Foreseeability

A central part of these cases is showing that the property owner should have anticipated the risk. We analyze crime statistics in the area, examine prior complaints, and work with experts who can testify about security standards. This helps demonstrate that the incident was not an isolated event, but something a responsible owner could and should have prepared for.

Holding Negligent Property Owners Accountable

Once we have the evidence, we move to hold property owners accountable. This may involve sending demand letters, negotiating with their insurers, or pursuing litigation in court. Our goal is to ensure that negligent owners cannot escape responsibility for cutting corners on safety.

Pursuing the Full Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Victims of negligent security often face steep medical costs, lost income, and long-lasting emotional trauma. We fight to pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to, seeking damages for medical bills, wages, pain and suffering, and psychological impact so clients can begin rebuilding their lives.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Negligent Security Claim?

Multiple parties may share responsibility, depending on the facts:

• Property owners and landlords who cut costs on safety.
• Business owners who profit from patrons but fail to provide reasonable protection.
• Security companies hired to safeguard premises but failing to do their job.

Liability is fact-specific, but each of these parties may be pursued in court.

Compensation in a Negligent Security Case

Victims of negligent security may pursue damages for:

Medical Expenses

Victims of negligent security often require immediate medical treatment, from emergency care to ongoing rehabilitation. Compensation may cover hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medication, and any future medical costs related to the injury.

Lost Income

When injuries prevent a victim from working, the financial consequences can be devastating. Claims may include lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the long-term impact on a person’s career and financial stability.

Pain and Suffering

Beyond the physical harm, victims endure significant pain that disrupts daily life. Compensation can account for chronic discomfort, mobility limitations, and the lasting physical toll of the injuries.

Emotional Distress, Including PTSD and Trauma

The psychological impact of violent crime is often just as severe as physical injuries. Victims may suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression, or ongoing fear that affects their quality of life. These damages recognize the real and lasting emotional cost of negligent security.

At Daly & Black, we fight to pursue the full compensation you may be entitled to, helping clients rebuild their lives after devastating crimes.

Statute of Limitations for Negligent Security Cases in Texas

Victims of negligent security in Houston must be aware of strict filing deadlines. Under Texas law, most premises liability and personal injury claims, including negligent security cases, are subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the incident.

Missing this deadline can bar your right to pursue compensation entirely. Because timing is critical, consulting with an attorney as soon as possible ensures evidence is preserved and your claim is filed within the legal window.

Why Choose Daly & Black for Your Negligent Security Case?

Victims of violent crimes often feel abandoned, powerless, and enraged that property owners failed to protect them. At Daly & Black, we understand that pain—and we know how to fight back.

With recognition as a top litigation firm, proven trial experience, and a relentless drive to win, our Houston negligent security lawyers are ready to go to war against negligent property owners and insurers who deny responsibility. We’re ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. for our clients.

FAQ

What is considered negligent security in Houston?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to take reasonable precautions against foreseeable criminal acts, such as assaults in poorly lit parking lots or break-ins caused by broken locks.

Can I sue a property owner for negligent security?

Yes, if you were harmed due to a property owner’s failure to provide reasonable safety measures, you may have grounds to sue. The key is proving foreseeability—that the crime could and should have been anticipated.

How can a Houston negligent security lawyer help with my case?

A lawyer investigates your case, gathers evidence, establishes foreseeability, and aggressively fights to hold negligent property owners accountable while pursuing maximum compensation for your losses.

Contact a Houston Negligent Security Lawyer Today

Negligent property owners and their insurers will try to avoid responsibility, but you don’t have to face them alone. A Houston negligent security lawyer from Daly & Black, P.C. can stand by your side and fight for justice.

Call Daly & Black today to schedule your FREE consultation. We’re ALL IN. ALL THE TIME. for victims of negligent security in Houston.