Fort Worth Negligent Security Lawyer

Fort Worth Negligent Security Lawyer

Have you been assaulted or the victim of crime in Fort Worth, TX?

If negligent security at a business or property was responsible for your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.

Schedule a free case review with Fort Worth negligent security lawyer Jason Stephens to review your legal options by calling us at (817) 420-7000, or contact our law office online.

Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC believes negligent property owners should be held responsible when they cut corners and skip necessary security measures.

He has recovered life-changing settlements and jury awards for his clients. He will fight to do the same for you.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help with Your Negligent Security Case

negligent security

Every year, there are more than 2,800 assaults, over 1,100 robberies, and almost 500 rapes reported in Fort Worth, Texas. That’s more than 30% over the national average. Assault can be a terrifying experience that leaves a physical, financial, and emotional toll.

The last thing you should be worried about after being the victim of crime is suffering the financial burden of your injuries and fighting with an insurance company. If your attack happened because a property owner or manager was negligent and failed to maintain a safe property, they should be held accountable.

A Fort Worth personal injury lawyer with experience handling complex premises liability claims can be an invaluable asset. Jason Stephens has more than two decades of experience representing clients in negligent security claims and strives to level the playing field against the insurance companies. He has secured some of the largest settlements in Texas history for his clients.

When you choose Jason Stephens to represent you, you can count on him to:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation of your case
  • Gather and analyze evidence to establish liability. This includes identifying security measures in place, minimum security that would have kept you safe, and proof the property owner could have anticipated a criminal act.
  • Consult with experts to value your damages
  • Counter claims that you contributed to your own injuries
  • Negotiate on your behalf to reach a fair settlement 

Jason Stephens is not afraid to take your case to court if a fair settlement agreement cannot be reached. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a free consultation with a negligent security lawyer in Fort Worth who will fight for you.

What Is Premises Liability in Texas?

Under Texas law, property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises under the state’s premises liability laws. When a property owner fails in this duty, they can be held legally responsible for injuries that occur on their property.

Premises liability extends beyond dangerous conditions like crumbling asphalt that leads to a slip and fall injury. It can also cover negligent security which allows property owners to be held liable for injuries suffered because of a third party. When you are the victim of crime, you may have a claim against not only the perpetrator but also the property owner if negligent security contributed to the crime.

Common Types of Negligent Security Cases in Fort Worth

Negligent security cases can involve many types of businesses in Fort Worth. You may have a negligent security claim if you were hurt by a third party at a:

Negligent security claims can involve many types of crimes or behavior by third parties. Most commonly, a Fort Worth premises liability lawyer deals with cases involving physical assault, sexual assault, robbery, or gun violence.

Proving Negligence in a Premises Liability Claim

To prove a Fort Worth negligent security claim, you must establish two critical facts:

  • The crime was foreseeable and
  • There was an unreasonable risk of harm 

This means the property owner was either aware of the risk of a crime or reasonably should have known the risk existed. The property owner must have also failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent injury or harm from crime.

  • Your negligent security lawyer will work to gather and examine evidence in your case such as:
  • Physical evidence like lighting, alarms, and locks
  • A crime map for the property and area that shows reported crimes
  • Maintenance and inspection records for the property and security equipment
  • Police reports about crimes in the area
  • Internal documents such as a consultant’s recommendations or internal reports about assault

At Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, your lawyer may also consult with experts to help establish liability.

Was the Crime Reasonably Foreseeable?

You do not necessarily have a premises liability claim against a property owner just because you were the victim of crime on their property. Property owners are not always responsible for injuries caused by a third party. To win a negligent security claim in Texas, the dangerous or criminal behavior must have been reasonably foreseeable or anticipated.

This means you cannot hold a property owner accountable for random and unpredictable acts of violence.

There are many ways to show that a crime was reasonably foreseeable, however. The following factors may be used to show that a property owner had a duty to provide additional forms of security for guests and visitors.

  • The business or area has been targeted by criminals before
  • The property is in a high-crime area
  • The business itself creates an environment that may attract crime such as a pawnshop or bar
  • The property has poorly lit parking lots or alleys
  • The property is in an area known for prostitution, drugs, or other crimes

If there is a history of crime at the property or it’s located in a high-crime area, there is usually a good case that the property owner had a legal duty to provide security features. The city of Fort Worth even makes it easy for property owners to monitor crime in their area and receive alerts about recent criminal activity.

Did the Property Owner Take Reasonable Security Measures?

Property owners aren’t required to prevent all possible crime on their property. Instead, they must take reasonable steps to prevent crimes that are foreseeable dangers. A property owner may be liable for the injuries you suffered if they did not take adequate safety measures.

Fort Worth negligent security cases may involve:

  • Inadequate cash management system
  • Insufficient lighting
  • Insufficient surveillance
  • Inadequate control of keys
  • Lack of trained security personnel
  • Blocked emergency exits
  • Unsecured windows

A property owner in Fort Worth has a duty to assess the potential risk of criminal activity and implement security measures that are reasonable. This is particularly crucial in areas with high criminal activity or properties with prior issues with criminal activity.

Damages Available in a Negligent Security Lawsuit

As the victim of a crime caused by a lack of security or inadequate security measures, you can seek damages from not only the perpetrator but also the property owner. A crime such as assault or robbery can leave you with not only physical injuries but medical expenses, unpaid time off work, and psychological damages. You should not be left with this burden when a property owner was negligent.

There are two broad types of damages you may be entitled to recover: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to those with a clear financial value such as medical bills. Non-economic damages refer to damages with no intrinsic financial cost like pain and suffering.

The Fort Worth premises liability lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will help you fight for the full compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to recover money for:

  • Medical expenses, including future anticipated medical costs associated with your injuries
  • Lost wages while you recover
  • Reduced earning capacity if you are left disabled
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Jason Stephens will work with experts to ensure your damages are properly identified and valued. He will fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve as you struggle to move on with your life.

Statute of Limitations for a Negligent Security Case

If you have suffered injuries because you’ve been the victim of assault or robbery at someone else’s property, it’s crucial to take action as soon as possible. Texas law limits the amount of time you have to pursue compensation for your injuries. The statute of limitations for a premises liability claim is generally two years from the date of the incident.

If you don’t file a claim before the statute of limitations expires, you give up the right to pursue compensation. Delays in pursuing your claim can result in valuable evidence being lost. Contact the Fort Worth negligent security law firm of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to schedule a free consultation to find out if you have a claim.

Contact a Fort Worth Negligent Security Lawyer

Have you been the victim of crime in Fort Worth? If your assault could have been avoided with better security measures at the property, you may have a claim against the property owner. Contact Jason Stephens, an award-winning Fort Worth negligent security lawyer, at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC to find out how he can help you.

While money can’t erase your injuries and the trauma you have suffered, it can alleviate the financial burden of your injuries. Jason Stephens will fight to secure the full compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free premises liability case review.

Our personal injury law firm in Fort Worth, TX also provides: