Weatherford Negligent Security Lawyer
Were you injured on someone’s property in Weatherford, TX, due to negligent security? Victims of assault and other crimes on someone else’s property could have a premises liability claim against the property owner and other responsible parties.
Negligent security may be considered a breach of duty that entitles the victim to compensation for their injuries and damages. However, the victim has the burden of proof in a negligent security case.
The attorneys at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, have been helping injured victims and their families for over 25 years. With a proven track record of success and decades of experience, our legal team is equipped to handle the most complex premises liability claims. We have recovered over $100 million in jury verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Contact us today at (817) 409-7000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Weatherford negligent security lawyers. We are available 24/7 to discuss your case with you.
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How Our Weatherford Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Seek Compensation for a Negligence Security Claim
Numerous crimes may occur because of negligent security. Lack of security measures can result in assault, shootings, battery, robbery, and other crimes. Victims of crimes that happen because of inadequate security can sustain debilitating injuries and significant financial losses. They may be unable to return to work or care for their personal needs.
Companies and property owners who fail to take reasonable steps to protect your safety can be liable for damages if you are injured. Our Weatherford negligent security lawyers at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, fight to obtain the money you need to pay medical bills and other costs. We work to get you compensation for the pain and suffering you experience.
When you hire our Weatherford, Texas lawyers, you can trust we will:
- Complete a thorough investigation into the cause of your injuries
- Follow law enforcement investigations into criminal charges against the attacker
- Gather evidence to establish liability, including hiring expert witnesses as needed
- Defend you against allegations of blame and contributory fault
- Assess the value of your claim by analyzing your damages
- Negotiate for a fair settlement with insurance companies and other parties
- File a lawsuit and argue your case at trial if necessary to protect your best interests
Attorney Jason Stephens has over 25 years of experience in personal injury law. He has the highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell and top ratings with many other organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
You deserve to be compensated fairly for the harm you suffered because of another party’s negligence. We will fight to obtain the best possible outcome for your case.
Call Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Weatherford premises injury lawyer.
We Handle All Types of Negligent Security Cases in Weatherford, TX
At Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, our attorneys handle all types of negligent security claims. We handle cases arising from injuries sustained at:
- Shopping malls and stores
- Bars and restaurants
- Grocery stores and gas stations
- Sports complexes and entertainment venues
- City and state buildings and facilities
- Pawnshops
- Convention centers
- Hotels and motels
- Apartment complexes
- Parking lots and parking garages
- Universities and schools
The steps you take after an injury on someone’s property can impact the outcome of a premises liability claim. Our attorneys handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery instead of legal matters.
How Does Negligent Security Relate to Premises Liability in Texas?
Texas premises liability laws impose a duty of care on property owners to maintain safe premises. The duty may extend to third parties responsible for the property, such as business owners and renters. When property owners or responsible parties breach their duty of care, they can be held legally responsible for damages.
Premises liability covers inadequate maintenance and hazardous conditions. However, it also includes negligent security. Suppose a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to secure the premises. In that case, they can be liable if a person is injured on the property if negligent security contributed to the reason the person was injured.
Victims of crime may have a claim against the person who attacked them. They may also have a claim against the property owner.
How Do I Prove Liability for a Negligent Security Premises Liability Claim?
The primary elements of a negligent security claim are:
- There was an unreasonable risk of harm.
- The crime was foreseeable.
- The owner did not take reasonable steps to secure the property.
The property owner must have been aware of the risk that someone could be hurt by a crime or should have reasonably known about the risk. Property owners are not responsible for random and unpredictable violent acts. You must show that there was a foreseeable risk of harm caused by a crime. Factors include whether:
- The property is in a high-crime area
- Criminals have targeted the business or area in the past
- The property has poorly-lit parking lots and areas
- The business may attract crimes, such as bars and pawnshops
- The property is in an area known for crimes, such as drugs, assaults, theft, or prostitution
You must also prove that the owner did not take reasonable steps to protect people on the property from crimes and foreseeable danger. Negligent security claims may involve:
- Insufficient surveillance
- Blocked emergency exits
- Inadequate systems for managing cash
- Unsecured windows and doors
- Inadequate control of keys
- Lack of trained security personnel
- Insufficient lighting
- Lack of security systems
Property and business owners have a duty to assess the potential risk of criminal activity occurring on the property. They also have a duty to adopt reasonable security measures.
Our legal team at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, can gather evidence proving the elements of a negligent security premises liability claim. We work with numerous experts and professionals to build a solid foundation for a premises liability claim.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Negligent Security Claim in Weatherford, TX?
A robbery, assault, or other violent crime can result in catastrophic injuries. You may sustain a brain injury, spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, and broken bones. In addition to your physical injuries, being the victim of a crime can cause debilitating pain and suffering. Texas personal injury laws compensate injured parties for their economic and non-economic damages.
Examples of economic damages in a negligent security case include:
- The cost of past and future medical treatment, including rehabilitative therapies and mental health treatment
- The loss of income, including benefits, wages, and earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including personal care and household services
- Long-term nursing care
Pain and suffering are included in non-economic damages. Examples of non-economic damages in a negligent security case include:
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical discomfort
- Impairments and disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
Juries may award punitive damages in some lawsuits. Texas law only allows punitive damages if the jurors find that the defendant acted with gross negligence, malice, or fraud. Juries award punitive damages to punish defendants for conduct that meets this level of wrongdoing.
How Much Is My Weatherford Negligent Security Claim Worth?
Many factors impact how much you receive for damages in a negligent security injury claim. Factors that could affect how much your case is worth include, but are not limited to:
- The type of injuries caused by the violent act
- The severity of your injuries and whether you sustained a permanent impairment
- The level of disfigurement and scarring you sustain
- Your financial losses and expenses
- The parties involved in the case
- The strength of your evidence proving a legal claim
- The availability of insurance and policy limits
- Whether you can return to work
We will analyze all the factors in your case to determine how they impact damages. Our legal team will work with you, your physicians, and experts to maximize the value of your damages.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Negligent Security Claim in Weatherford, TX?
The statute of limitations in Texas for most premises liability claims is two years from the injury date. Therefore, you lose your right to sue the at-fault party if you do not file a lawsuit within two years after your accident.
However, exceptions and circumstances in your case could change the filing deadline. It is in your best interest to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid missing a deadline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Weatherford Negligent Security Lawyers
Your assault may have been avoided had it not been for the negligent security of a property owner. Contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC, to discuss your case with an award-winning Weatherford negligent security lawyer. We fight to obtain full compensation for all damages and injuries in your premises liability case.