If you were attacked or injured on someone else’s property, you are likely dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and unexpected medical bills. You might feel that the incident was just bad luck or solely the fault of the person who attacked you. However, property owners in St. Louis have a legal responsibility to keep their premises safe for visitors. When they fail to provide reasonable security measures, they can be held accountable.

At The Super Lawyer, we understand that criminal attacks often happen because a business or landlord chose to cut corners on safety. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to inadequate security, you have rights under Missouri law. A St. Louis negligent security lawyer can help you investigate what happened and fight for the compensation you need to recover.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security is a specific type of premises liability claim. Under Missouri law, property owners and business operators owe a “duty of care” to the people who legally visit their property. This means they must take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable harm, including criminal acts by third parties.

A negligent security claim arises when a property owner knows—or should know—that their property poses a security risk but fails to fix the problem. If that failure allows a crime to occur, such as an assault, robbery, or shooting, the property owner may be liable for the victim’s injuries.

Common Examples of Negligent Security

Security failures can happen anywhere, but they are most common in places where the public gathers or where people live. Our attorneys handle cases involving a wide range of security lapses, including:

• Inadequate Lighting: Dark parking lots, stairwells, or hallways that provide cover for criminals.
• Broken Locks and Doors: Gates that do not close, doors that do not lock, or broken intercom systems in apartment complexes.
• Lack of Security Personnel: Failure to hire security guards in high-crime areas or having guards who are untrained or asleep on the job.
• Malfunctioning Security Cameras: Fake cameras or broken surveillance systems that fail to deter crime.
• Failure to Warn: Not warning visitors about known recent attacks on or near the property.

These incidents frequently occur at apartment complexes, hotels, motels, shopping malls, nightclubs, bars, parking garages, and gas stations throughout St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Proving Liability: The Concept of Foreseeability

Winning a negligent security case in Missouri often comes down to one key concept: foreseeability. To hold a property owner liable, we must prove that the crime was reasonably foreseeable.

We look for evidence that the property owner should have expected criminal activity. This evidence often includes:

• Prior Incidents: A history of similar crimes on the property or in the immediate neighborhood.
• Crime Statistics: Data showing a high rate of criminal activity in the area.
• Business Nature: Certain businesses, like 24-hour ATMs or nightclubs, have inherent security risks that require specific safety measures.

If a landlord ignores a history of break-ins and refuses to fix the locks, and a tenant is subsequently attacked, the landlord may be found negligent because the danger was foreseeable.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Injuries?

In a criminal case, the focus is on the person who attacked you. In a civil negligent security lawsuit, the focus is on the parties who created the unsafe environment. Depending on where the incident happened, liable parties may include:

• Property Owners: The individual or company that owns the land or building.
• Landlords and Property Managers: Those responsible for the daily maintenance and safety of apartment complexes or rental units.
• Business Operators: Tenants who run businesses on the property, such as restaurant owners or retail store managers.
• Security Companies: Third-party firms hired to patrol the area. If a security guard was negligent or poorly trained, their employer might be liable.

Compensation Available to Victims

Injuries from violent crimes can be life-changing. A civil lawsuit seeks to restore your financial stability and acknowledge your suffering. A St. Louis negligent security lawyer can help you pursue damages for:

• Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing physical therapy.
• Lost Wages: Income you lost while recovering from your injuries.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.
• Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for physical pain, emotional distress, and PTSD caused by the attack.
• Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed due to negligent security, surviving family members may be able to claim funeral costs and loss of support.

How Our St. Louis Negligent Security Lawyers Help

These cases are complex. Property owners and their insurance companies often fight back hard, arguing that the crime was random and unavoidable. You need a legal team that knows how to push back.

When you hire us, we immediately start building your case by:

• Investigating the Scene: We visit the location to document lighting, fences, and access points.
• Gathering Evidence: We obtain police reports, 911 call logs, and surveillance footage before it is deleted.
• Analyzing Crime Data: We research the history of crime at that specific address and the surrounding neighborhood to establish foreseeability.
• Consulting Experts: We work with security experts who can testify about what safety measures should have been in place.
• Handling Insurance Companies: We manage all communication with the insurers so you can focus on healing.

Steps to Take After an Attack

If you are injured due to a lack of security, the steps you take immediately afterward can impact your health and your legal claim:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Go to the hospital or see a doctor right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Medical records are crucial evidence.
2. Report the Crime: Call the police and ensure a report is filed. Stick to the facts when speaking to officers.
3. Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the area, including broken lights, open gates, or lack of security presence.
4. Get Witness Info: Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the attack or can testify to the poor security conditions.
5. Contact a Lawyer: Do not give a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurance company until you have spoken with an attorney.