You’re not supposed to worry about getting attacked at your apartment building or mugged in a hotel parking lot. But when property owners fail to take reasonable steps to keep their premises safe, preventable tragedies happen—and the physical and emotional fallout can last a lifetime.
If you or a loved one was injured due to poor security in a Dallas–Fort Worth property, you may have a right to file a negligent security lawsuit. While every case is different, one thing is certain: to recover compensation, you’ll need to prove that the property owner or manager failed in their legal responsibility to protect you.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that holds property owners accountable when someone is injured due to inadequate safety measures. These cases don’t just happen out of nowhere—they usually follow a pattern of oversight or neglect that leaves people vulnerable.
Common examples of negligent security include:
- Broken gates or door locks at apartment complexes
- No lighting in parking garages, stairwells, or hallways
- Lack of cameras or working surveillance equipment
- No security guards in high-risk areas
- Failing to act after reports of threats, break-ins, or violent crime
In a busy metro area like Dallas–Fort Worth, where foot traffic is high, and crime patterns vary by neighborhood, property owners must assess risks and take action. When they don’t—and someone gets hurt—they can be held legally responsible.
What You Need to Prove in a Negligent Security Lawsuit
To succeed in a negligent security claim, you’ll need to establish four key elements:
1. The property owner owed you a duty of care.
If you were legally on the property—as a tenant, guest, customer, or employee—the owner had a duty to take reasonable steps to protect you from foreseeable harm.
2. They breached that duty.
This could mean ignoring prior complaints, failing to fix broken locks or lights, or not hiring security personnel in areas known for criminal activity.
3. That breach caused your injury.
You have to show that the lack of security directly contributed to the incident. For example, if a gate had been working or lighting had been fixed, the assault or robbery might have been prevented.
4. You suffered damages.
This includes physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost income, medical bills, and any other harm tied to the attack.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Case
Negligent security cases are fact-heavy, and evidence is key. If you’re thinking about pursuing a lawsuit in Dallas or Fort Worth, here are some of the materials that can help:
- Police reports documenting the incident
- Surveillance footage (or proof that none was present)
- Maintenance records showing unresolved security issues
- Crime statistics for the location and surrounding area
- Prior complaints or incident reports from other residents or customers
- Witness testimony from neighbors, staff, or security personnel
- Expert analysis from security consultants
Property owners may try to shift blame or claim they had no way of knowing an incident would happen. That’s why documenting negligence and foreseeability is so important.
How Rochelle McCullough Proves Negligent Security
At Rochelle McCullough, we know how to hold property owners accountable—and we’ve handled negligent security cases across North Texas. Whether the attack happened in an Uptown Dallas apartment complex, a Fort Worth motel, or a retail store in Arlington, our firm has the experience to take on property managers, landlords, and their insurance companies.
Here’s how we can help:
- Launch an immediate investigation to preserve evidence
- Review maintenance records, security policies, and incident history
- Bring in qualified security experts when needed
- Calculate the full extent of your damages—now and in the future
- Handle all communication with insurers and legal teams
- Fight for full compensation through negotiation or litigation
If you were harmed because of negligent security in Dallas, Fort Worth, or anywhere in the DFW Metroplex, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll help you understand your legal options—and work to make sure no one else has to suffer the same way.