Dallas Negligent Security Claim Attorney
Proven Results in Premises Assault & Inadequate Security Cases
When a property owner's failure to provide adequate security leads to an assault, robbery, or violent attack, the civil claim belongs to the victim. MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys has recovered a $1 million hotel assault settlement, a $1 million negligence-assault by premises employee settlement, multiple $2 million premises liability settlements, and a $600,000 apartment complex premises liability settlement. These results mirror the core categories in negligent security claims in Dallas: violent attacks that happen because someone with a duty to protect a property chose not to.
Trial attorneys Damon Mathias and Ori Raphael bring over 20 years of personal injury litigation experience, including negligent security cases, and regularly appear before judges and juries across North Texas. Our firm has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, The Dallas Morning News, and other national outlets. Whether you were assaulted at an apartment complex, attacked in a hotel, or injured in a parking garage, we pursue accountability from the property owners, management companies, and security firms responsible.
Contact MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys today at (469) 689-0200 for a free, confidential case evaluation. There are no upfront costs and no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
How Texas Law Defines Negligent Security
Negligent security falls under Texas premises liability law. Property owners owe their highest duty of care to invitees: customers, tenants, hotel guests, and others who enter with the owner's knowledge for the mutual benefit of both parties. When a foreseeable crime occurs because security measures were absent or inadequate, the property owner can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Foreseeability & Property Owner Duties
Foreseeability is the cornerstone of every claim. Texas courts evaluate four factors to determine whether a property owner should have anticipated criminal activity:
- Proximity of prior crimes to the property
- Frequency and recency of criminal incidents in the area
- Similarity of prior crimes to the crime that injured the victim
- Publicity of those prior crimes, including reports made directly to the property owner or management
Common security failures that establish liability include non-functional surveillance cameras, broken or unmaintained locks and access gates, inadequate lighting in parking areas or stairwells, insufficient or untrained security personnel, and failure to act on prior complaints or incident reports. Liable parties may include the property owner, the property management company, business tenants, or the contracted security firm that controlled safety measures at the time of the attack.
Deadlines & Comparative Fault Rules
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003, victims generally have two years from the date of injury to file a negligent security claim. Texas also follows a modified comparative negligence rule: if the victim is found more than 50% at fault, recovery is barred entirely. Below that threshold, compensation is reduced proportionally by the victim's share of fault.
Where Negligent Security Claims Arise in Dallas
These cases often share a pattern: a property owner knew or should have known about a security risk and failed to address it. The venue types below generate many negligent security claims in the Dallas area.
Apartment Complexes
Poorly lit hallways, broken entry gates, missing cameras, and absent security personnel are recurring failure points. Both management companies and property owners share responsibility for maintaining secure access.
Hotels & Motels
Broken keycard access points, non-functional surveillance cameras, and absent security staff create potential liability when guests are assaulted in rooms, hallways, or parking areas.
Parking Garages & Surface Lots
Limited visibility, poor lighting, and inaccessible emergency systems make these locations high risk. Lighting deficiencies are among the most common failures courts evaluate in negligent security litigation.
Nightclubs & Bars
Insufficient security staffing during high-capacity hours, lack of trained door personnel, and failure to secure entrances can create liability for violent confrontations inside and immediately outside the venue.
Shopping Centers & Retail Stores
Responsibility extends beyond the storefront to parking areas, walkways, and common access points the owner controls.
Office Buildings & Mixed-Use Developments
Access control failures, broken lobby security, and inadequate monitoring of entry points create foreseeable risks for tenants and visitors alike.
Why Dallas Clients Trust MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys for Negligent Security Claims
Our results in premises assault cases set us apart. The $1 million hotel assault settlement, $1 million negligence-assault by premises employee settlement, and $600,000 apartment complex settlement weren't generic slip-and-fall outcomes. They involved violent crimes that happened because a property owner cut corners on security. That's the same fact pattern many of our negligent security clients face, and our record shows how we approach building these cases.
Trial-Ready Representation & Credentials
Insurance companies track which firms go to trial and which accept early lowball offers. Damon Mathias holds membership in both the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and both attorneys are recognized in Super Lawyers. Our regular courtroom appearances across North Texas give clients a strategic advantage at the negotiation table because opposing counsel knows we don't back down.
Evidence Preservation, Case Building & Fees
Negligent security cases demand immediate evidence preservation. Surveillance footage is routinely overwritten within days of an incident. We move quickly to secure camera records, police reports, maintenance logs, and prior incident documentation before they disappear. Cases often require security industry professionals to evaluate whether a property's measures met the standard of care for that venue type.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing out of pocket unless we recover compensation. Every case begins with a free, confidential evaluation so you understand your options before making any commitment.
Client Communication & Technology
We use Filevine case management software to keep clients connected to their case in real time. Each client receives a dedicated text number to send information and photos directly to their personal case file. Every communication is date-stamped and preserved as notes usable in court proceedings. This level of documented, transparent client communication is a defining feature of how we handle Dallas negligent security claims.
Compensation in a Dallas Negligent Security Claim
Victims of violent crimes caused by inadequate security can pursue several categories of damages:
- Economic damages: Past and future medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, counseling), lost wages, and reduced future earning capacity
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD and psychological trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages: Surviving family members may recover when a negligent security failure results in a fatality
- Punitive damages: May be available under Texas law when a property owner's conduct rises to the level of gross negligence, fraud, or malice
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Still Recover If I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes. Under Texas modified comparative negligence, you can recover as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you're found 20% at fault on a $100,000 award, you'd recover $80,000.
What If My Attacker Was Never Identified or Caught?
A civil negligent security claim targets the property owner for failing to prevent a foreseeable crime, not the attacker. The criminal's identity or conviction isn't required to pursue your claim against the party responsible for security.
How Long Does a Negligent Security Case Take?
Cases that settle during negotiation may resolve in a matter of months. Claims requiring litigation and trial can take one to two years or longer. Early evidence preservation and prompt filing can strengthen your position.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Today
If you or a family member was attacked on an unsafe property in Dallas, you may have legal options beyond the criminal justice system. MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys offers a free, confidential consultation so you can understand the strength of your claim and the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
Our firm was built on the philosophy "Until Victory Always." We take on property owners, corporations, and government entities that other firms avoid, and we don't collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (469) 689-0200 now to speak with our negligent security attorneys, or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Trust Our Team at MR.LAW
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What is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability that deals with civil remedies in the case of crimes and violent acts. The scope of the law concerns negligent property owners or other parties who fail to install adequate security. The negligence must result in the victim’s injury by a third party as a result of the lack of security.
In negligence claims, the defendant must owe some sort of duty to the plaintiff that imposes a standard of care the defendant must meet. In a negligent security lawsuit, the duty invoked is that which is imposed on property owners to safeguard visitors from predictable third-party crimes.
The claims of negligent security can be broad. Since the liability is imposed on the property owner, the type of cases seen in a negligent security claim can be anything that occurs as a result of the negligence.
Negligent security claims are often brought as civil liability claims following the charge of a criminal complaint. Common claims brought in relation to negligent security include:
- Burglary/theft
- Rape
- Assault
- Battery
To prove a negligent security claim, the plaintiff must show that the crime may have been avoided or less likely if the property owner had employed adequate security measures.
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Causes of Negligent Security
Any property owner may be held liable for failing to protect its visitors, renters, or customers in a premises liability claim. While inadequate security involves the failure to hire the proper amount of security guards, there are many forms of negligent security.
The most common causes of negligent security can be thought of as falling into one of two categories: 1) Human Error or 2) Device Failure.
Human Error
The traditional type of negligent security claim relates to issues with personnel.
Security staff's responsibilities to safeguard inhabitants and visitors include doing routine patrols, regularly examining surveillance footage, and investigating alerts.
The tasks are often thankless and varying property owners differ in the emphasis placed on the importance of security. Some may hire well-trained in-house staff and institute policies/procedures to abide by. Others may find the labor too costly and instead elect to contract out to a third-party security company. Worse, some may simply do nothing altogether.
Because of the varying level of attention property owners place on security, instances of carelessness by human error often occur. Security personnel who fail to investigate claims, show up late, and forget to monitor security systems are all instances of human error that can be brought as a claim.
Device Failure
The standard of security has become increasingly elevated as technology has evolved. Expensive systems that were reserved for only elite companies have now become affordable for small-business owners. Motion detection systems, window alarms, door locks, and high-quality cameras can be purchased with proper selection.
Some property owners still fail to see the value and may choose to skimp out when purchasing equipment. Locks that are easily broken into or cameras that “fail” when needed are more than just unfortunate circumstances – they can be regarded as property owner negligence.
Common ways an owner can be held liable for negligent security include:
- Security guards lack the proper training and experience
- Security guards lack the necessary equipment to protect visitors and customers
- Failure to protect against known or foreseeable danger
- Failure to monitor security cameras
- Failure to comply with security laws
- Lack of surveillance
- Inadequate lighting
- Inadequate locks
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Choose Our Experienced & Reliable Negligent Security Lawyers Today
Negligent security claims can be incredibly tricky because property owners will do anything to point the finger at some other underlying cause. The reality, though, is that a basic standard of care should be met. If a property owner clearly demonstrates a lack of care in meeting that standard, victims should be compensated.
At MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys, our goal is justice for the wrongfully injured. Our Dallas personal injury attorney will aggressively pursue monetary compensation for your injuries. Inadequate security can result in violent crime, sexual assaults, and even wrongful death. Let us protect your rights by fighting for your justice.
Contact our Dallas Negligent Security Lawyers today for your free consultation so we can ensure you are given the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
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"Attorney Raphael & Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming & handle each case with care!"I have worked with this office on many different life care plans for personal injury cases and each time it’s been wonderful. Attorney Raphael and Attorney Mathias are both very forthcoming and handle each case with care. I would definitely recommend them!- Brandy C.
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"Damon took my case when others would not consider it."
Damon is the one attorney who took my case when others would not consider it. He is good at explaining the next steps and possible outcomes. Professionalism shows through in all he does. I recommend him for your legal matter.
- Carolyn -
"Mr. Mathias went above and beyond for me!"
Mr. Mathias went above and beyond when I got in an automobile accident making the situation stress free. He allowed me to concentrate on getting a new vehicle and getting the appropriate treatment instead of worrying about medical bills and settlements.
- James -
"Truly amazing attorney!"
Truly amazing Attorney! This guy went above and beyond my expectations, from a broken wired up jaw. To a well deserved settlement. Thanks again!
- S. Plowden -
"Better outcome than imagined."
MR.LAW Accident and Injury Attorneys handled our case well and gave us a better outcome than we could have ever imagined. Thanks to Damon, Ori and their entire team!
- Eric B. -
"Attorney Ori Raphael fights for you!"Ori gives it his all to fight for you!- Amir A
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"Hire these guys!"These guys are great! Ori really went above and beyond and every time I needed good advice or help, he was there for me.- R.J.
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"Mr. Raphael was very helpful and responsive to our needs!"Mr. Raphael was very helpful and responsive to our needs. He provided excellent service with polite,gentle and sensitive care,from the time he greeted us all through the process. I felt very confident trusting him with our case and he came through for us and got us more than we imagined.- Avi P.
