Jersey City
Negligent Security Lawyers
Holding Property Owners Accountable for Negligent Security
Not every injury on someone’s property happens by accident. In many cases, people are attacked, assaulted, or seriously hurt because a landlord, business, or property owner failed to provide basic security. When that happens, they may be legally responsible.
Our New Jersey negligent security lawyers help crime victims pursue justice through civil claims. If you were hurt in a violent incident—robbery, shooting, assault, or worse—on someone else’s property, and that property lacked reasonable security measures, you may have the right to compensation.
When Inadequate Security Leads to Serious Harm
Negligent security claims can arise in many different places across Jersey City and beyond. Some of the most common scenarios include:
- Apartment buildings with broken entry locks, no cameras, or no front-desk staff
- Parking garages without lighting or active surveillance, where muggings or attacks occur
- Nightclubs or bars with no bouncers, no bag checks, or frequent overcrowding
- Hotels or motels that allow unauthorized guests or have weak room access systems
- College campuses or housing complexes with a known crime history and no patrols
If an attack could’ve been prevented by reasonable steps—like working cameras, lighting, gates, or trained security—then the property owner may be liable for failing to protect you.
The Legal Duty to Provide Reasonable Security
In New Jersey, property owners don’t have to prevent every crime—but they must take reasonable steps to protect guests, tenants, and visitors from foreseeable harm. That’s especially true if:
- There were prior criminal incidents on or near the property
- The location is known to be high-crime
- There were obvious weaknesses in physical security (like broken locks or no staff presence)
- The business type invites large crowds or late-night activity (like bars or venues)
If there were warning signs of danger and the property owner ignored them, they can be held accountable. Our Jersey City negligent security attorneys know how to prove when a property owner fell short.
The Impact on Victims of Violent Crime
We’ve represented people who were seriously hurt because a landlord or business owner didn’t take security seriously. Common injuries in negligent security cases include:
- Gunshot wounds or stabbings
- Head trauma or brain injuries from beatings
- Spinal injuries from assaults or falls while fleeing
- Emotional trauma and PTSD from being attacked
- Wrongful death in the most tragic cases
These aren’t just physical injuries. Many victims live with long-term emotional distress and fear—especially when they were hurt in a place they should have felt safe.
How We Prove a Negligent Security Claim
These cases require detailed investigation and strong evidence. Our team gets to work quickly to gather:
- Police reports from the incident and prior calls at the same location
- Crime data and statistics for the area
- Footage from security cameras—if they were working
- Expert testimony from safety and security professionals
- Witness statements and incident reports, if available
We also investigate building maintenance logs, staff training procedures, and any history of complaints. Our goal is to show what steps the property owner failed to take—and how that failure led to your injuries.
Pushing Back Against Common Defenses
Property owners often try to dodge blame. They might say the attack was “unforeseeable,” or that the criminal—not the property—is to blame. Some argue they weren’t required to provide more security.
We know how to overcome these tactics. By showing repeated incidents, broken systems, or glaring security gaps, we make the case that the danger was foreseeable—and the owner chose to ignore it.
Negligent Security FAQs
What if the attacker was never caught—can I still file a lawsuit?
Yes. Your civil claim is against the property owner, not the criminal. Whether or not there was an arrest, the property’s lack of security is still the legal focus.
Does a criminal case help or hurt my civil claim?
If there’s a conviction, it can support your case—but your civil claim doesn’t depend on it. We can move forward regardless of the criminal trial’s outcome.
How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in NJ?
In most cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident. If the property is owned by a city or government agency, you may have only 90 days to file a notice of claim, so don’t wait.
Contact Us
Talk to a Jersey City Negligent Security Attorney Today
You deserve answers. If you or someone you love was attacked on poorly secured property, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, trauma, and more. And you’re not alone—these cases are more common than most people realize.
We’re here to help you pursue justice and hold negligent property owners accountable. Your consultation is free, and you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to speak with a Jersey City negligent security lawyer.