Have you been injured because a Dallas property owner failed to take reasonable security measures? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Our Dallas premises liability lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Give us a call at (214) 327-8000.
Our award-winning personal injury law firm in Dallas, TX, has recovered hundreds of millions for our clients in negotiated settlements and jury awards since opening our firm in 2007. We put your best interests first in all situations, and we never back down from a fight.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Dallas negligent security lawyer today.
How Our Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You With a Negligent Security Injury Claim
Negligent security claims are complex personal injury matters. You’ll need an experienced Texas personal injury attorney to handle your case.
Our lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers have decades of legal experience. Attorney Mark Anderson is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. He is also recognized by national legal organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Super Lawyers, and Expertise.
When you hire our top-rated Dallas personal injury attorneys, you can trust that we will:
- Investigate the cause of your injury and the property owners responsible for your damages
- Gather evidence proving inadequate security measures were why you sustained injuries and damages
- Work with expert witnesses to gather additional evidence as needed
- Document your damages to calculate how much your negligent security claim is worth
- File insurance claims and handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance provider
- File a premises liability lawsuit if the negligent property owner refuses to pay a fair amount to settle your case
Attorney Mark Anderson is not timid about going up against the largest corporations and insurance companies in Dallas, Texas. He will pursue your case through the courts if it is necessary to protect your rights. Contact our law office to schedule your free case evaluation with a Dallas negligent security attorney.
What Is Premises Liability Law and Negligent Security in Dallas, Texas?
Property owners have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to maintain safe premises under Texas premises liability laws. If the property owner breaches the duty of care, they can be held legally liable for any damages that result.
The duty of care to provide safe premises extends beyond ensuring the land and buildings do not have hazards that could cause slip and fall injuries or other accidents. It also includes the requirement to provide adequate security to prevent attacks and harm caused by third parties.
How Do I Prove a Negligent Security Claim in Dallas, TX?
You must prove two legal elements to hold a property owner liable for failing to provide adequate security.
The Crime Was Reasonably Foreseeable, and There was an Unreasonable Risk of Harm
First, you must prove that the criminal activity was foreseeable and resulted in an unreasonable risk of harm. The property owner must have been able to reasonably anticipate or foresee a risk of criminal or dangerous behavior. Therefore, property owners might not be liable for unpredictable and random acts of third parties.
Evidence used to prove a crime was reasonably foreseeable can include the following:
- The property has poorly lit alleys or parking lots, which could attract criminal behavior
- The property is located in a high-crime area
- Criminal activity is known to occur in the area, such as sex crimes and drugs
- Criminals have targeted the business in the past
- The business being conducted on the property attracts criminal activity, such as a liquor store, bar, nightclub, or pawnshop
Our lawyers thoroughly investigate the incident to gather evidence proving the owner had reasonable knowledge that a crime could occur on the property. However, proving the risk of criminal activity was foreseeable is just one-half of the battle.
The Property Owner Failed To Take Reasonable Security Measures
Once you prove the property owner could reasonably foresee the risk of harm, you must prove the owner did not take reasonable steps to prevent it from happening. Reasonable security measures depend on the circumstances but could include:
- Installing security cameras in areas that are difficult to see and at all exits and entrances
- Hiring security guards to patrol the grounds or control who can enter the property
- Installing metal detectors and scanners at entrances
- Training security personnel and employees on how to recognize and handle suspicious activity
- Installing adequate lighting, especially in dark areas on the property
- Ensuring all doors and other entrances have functioning locks
- Maintaining control of the keys and passcodes to enter the building
Our legal team searches for evidence proving your case from numerous resources. For example, we might request police reports proving the property is in a high-crime area or the target of criminal activity. We might also create a crime map showing the criminal acts near the property.
We also obtain and review inspection and maintenance records for the property and the security systems. Our lawyers interview employees and witnesses. We also use expert witnesses to testify about the level of security necessary to protect guests and visitors.
Common Types of Dallas Negligent Security Claims
A negligent security claim might arise from numerous situations. Common negligent security claims in Dallas involve sexual assaults, physical violence, and robbery.
Examples of parties who could be liable for damages for injuries caused by inadequate security measures include the owners of:
- Hotels and resorts
- Bars, restaurants, and clubs
- Office complexes
- Retail stores and shopping malls
- Parking lots and parking garages
- Nursing homes
- Apartment complexes
- Schools and daycares
- Pawnshops
- Sporting and entertainment venues
- Property owned by government entities
Proving a property owner breached their duty of care can be complicated. Our legal team has resources and skills that help them investigate claims to gather evidence. Call Anderson Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we can help you prove a negligent property owner caused your injuries.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Negligent Security Claim in Dallas?
The damages caused by failing to provide adequate security can be substantial. A victim can sustain traumatic injuries and permanent impairments. Additionally, the victim incurs significant financial losses when they are attacked because of inadequate security measures at a business or other location.
Our Dallas negligent security lawyers work to recover the total amount of all damages you sustained. A premises liability claim can include compensation for your non-economic and economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the attack and the injuries
- Past and future lost wages, including a decrease in future earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life or enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- The cost of occupational, physical, and rehabilitation therapies
- Past and future cost of personal or nursing care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Disfigurement, scarring, and disability
Careful documentation of damages increases the value of your personal injury claim. Our legal team works with you, your physicians, and expert witnesses to gather evidence proving all of your damages and losses.
You can help by documenting your injuries throughout your recovery. Take photographs of your injuries as you heal. Creating a pain and suffering journal detailing the challenges you faced as you recovered from your injuries is also helpful in proving non-economic damages.
How Long Do I Have To File a Negligent Security Claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations for premises liability claims in Texas is generally two years from the date of the incident. However, there are exceptions to this rule that could lengthen or shorten the filing deadline for a personal injury lawsuit.
For example, cases involving government entities have an extremely short deadline for filing a notice of claim. In some cases, you could have just a few months to file a notice of claim to preserve your right to file a lawsuit.
It is wise to seek legal counsel as soon as possible after an attack or assault. Our Dallas premises liability attorneys take steps to protect your rights, including monitoring the statute of limitations for negligent security claims.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Dallas Negligent Security Lawyer?
Do not let the cost of hiring a Dallas negligent security attorney keep you from seeking legal advice. Our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
A contingency fee allows you to hire a lawyer without paying any attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, you agree to pay a percentage of the amount we recover for your claim.
Therefore, you do not need to worry about paying a retainer fee to hire a lawyer. We also provide free initial consultations, so discussing your case with an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer does not cost you anything.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Dallas Negligent Security Attorneys
You deserve to be fairly compensated when a negligent property owner causes you to be injured. Call our law office to schedule a free case review with one of our Dallas negligent security attorneys. We are here to help.
Our Dallas, TX, personal injury law firm also provides:
- Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Dallas, TX
- Brain Injury Lawyer in Dallas, TX
- Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas, TX
- Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Dallas, TX
- Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Dallas, TX
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Dallas, TX
- Premises Liability Attorneys in Dallas, TX
- Product Liability Lawyer in Dallas, TX
- Slip and Fall Attorneys in Dallas, TX
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Dallas, TX
- Workplace Accident Attorney in Dallas, TX
- Wrongful Death Attorneys in Dallas, TX
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Dallas, Texas
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
(214) 210-1923
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711