Under Texas law, apartment complex owners are required to keep their properties reasonably safe for their tenants. Apartment complex property owners or operators may be held liable for not protecting tenants or taking the proper steps to ensure their safety.
Sadly, apartment complex owners often put profit over people. They fail to establish proper safety precautions in an effort to save money. This is commonly seen when a large corporation owns and operates the apartment complex. The company fails to protect its tenants from violent crimes such as robbery, battery, and sexual assault.
When an apartment complex has known violent criminal activity, there are actions that the property owners must take in order to prevent crimes from taking place. These safety measures may include:
- Gated entryways
- Fences
- Hired security officers
- Warning signs for both residents and visitors
- Adequate lighting
- Surveillance cameras
- Working locks on windows and doors
- Criminal background checks for tenants, employees, and other workers
When the owner of an apartment complex fails to take the necessary steps to prevent crimes, they are responsible for not only any injuries that occur but also any pain and suffering. If you have been the victim of a crime on the premises of your apartment complex, not only do you have a criminal case against the perpetrator, but you may also have a civil case against the property owner.
Proving Liability
In order to recover in a civil case against the property owner, you must prove that the owner either knew or should have known that there was a risk of the crime that occurred against you, and that they failed to take the proper safety measures to help prevent it from occurring.
Unfortunately, many of the same large corporations that own these apartment complexes are also aware of the power imbalance between themselves and their tenants. Tenants often lack the proper tools to fight back against these companies. As a result, these companies know that they can get away with doing next to nothing to protect their residents. Luckily, a knowledgeable and experienced apartment complex attorney can help to fight on your behalf.
The Attorneys at Rochelle McCullough Help Those in Dallas Who Have Suffered Injuries from an Apartment Complex Crime
When you have been the victim of an apartment complex crime, you are often faced with handling the severe financial ramifications that accompany it, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But if the property owners of your apartment complex failed to take the proper safety precautions to protect you, they may be liable. You should not be held responsible for someone else’s negligence. That’s why you should be sure to speak with a qualified Texas personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
The lawyers at Rochelle McCullough help victims of apartment complex crimes to get their lives and their livelihood back on track. We will fight against negligent property owners to recover the compensation that you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.