If you were assaulted or attacked at an apartment building, parking garage, hotel, business, or another property in Washington, DC, questions about security may be part of your case. A broken entrance lock, ignored complaints, or other known dangers can leave people vulnerable to an attack. The negligent security lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP can investigate what the property owner or operator knew, what steps they took, and whether their actions contributed to your injuries. Contact our Washington, DC office for a free case evaluation.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim involving injuries caused by a criminal act on someone else’s property. These cases may arise when a property owner, landlord, or business failed to take reasonable steps to address a known risk of violence.
A property owner is not responsible for every crime that occurs on its premises. Whether there is a viable claim depends on the circumstances, including what the responsible party knew or should have known before the attack, what security measures were in place, and how the alleged failure relates to the injury. DC courts have applied a heightened foreseeability requirement in cases involving an intervening criminal act by a third party.
Where Can Negligent Security Incidents Happen?
An attack may raise security questions at a:
- Apartment building or shared residential entrance
- Parking lot or garage
- Hotel
- Shopping center or retail business
- Bar, restaurant, or entertainment venue
- Office building or workplace
The location alone does not establish negligence. The investigation must look at the conditions at that property and the information available before the incident.
What Security Failures Might Matter?
Depending on the property and the circumstances, an investigation might examine:
- Broken or unsecured entrances
- Lighting that was inadequate for a known problem area
- Prior reports of assaults, threats, or unauthorized entry
- Security measures that were promised but not maintained
- Failure to respond to repeated complaints about a specific danger
- Gaps in security staffing or procedures
These examples are potential evidence, not a checklist of measures every property must provide. The key question is whether reasonable precautions were called for under the circumstances.
How Is a DC Negligent Security Claim Investigated?
These cases often turn on information the injured person cannot access alone. Our attorneys can investigate the incident and seek evidence such as:
- Police and incident reports
- Witness accounts
- Available security camera footage
- Reports of earlier incidents at the property
- Tenant or customer complaints
- Maintenance and security records
- Documents showing who owned, managed, or controlled the area
That evidence can help answer two important questions: Was this type of harm sufficiently foreseeable, and did a failure to take reasonable precautions contribute to the injury? Prior incidents can be relevant, but their significance depends on the facts.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A violent attack can affect far more than a person’s immediate medical bills. Depending on the case, a claim may address medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, and the physical and emotional effects of the injuries. Our Washington, DC personal injury lawyers can assess the available evidence and explain what losses may be included in a claim.
Why Work With Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP?
Negligent security cases require a careful investigation of both the attack and the conditions that existed beforehand. Our attorneys can identify the potentially responsible parties, work to preserve evidence, evaluate the full impact of the injuries, and handle communications with insurers while you focus on recovery.
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Speak With a Washington, DC Negligent Security Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in an assault on someone else’s property, Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP can review what happened and help you understand your options. Contact our Washington, DC office to request a free case evaluation.