Negligent Security & Sexual Assault
When a property owner ignores known dangers, the harm that follows may be their responsibility — not yours.
What it means
Negligent security is the failure to keep a property reasonably safe when an assault was foreseeable
Negligent security is a type of premises liability. It means a property owner or business knew — or should have known — about a danger on their property and failed to take reasonable steps to protect the people they invited in. When that failure allows a sexual assault to happen, the owner can be held legally accountable in a civil claim, separate from anything that happens to the person who committed the assault.
This matters because the harm done to you was never only the act itself. It was also the broken lock that should have been fixed, the security guard who was never hired, the prior complaint that was filed away and ignored. The law recognizes that safety is a responsibility, and that responsibility can be enforced. You did not cause an unsafe property. Someone with the power to fix it chose not to.
Time limits do apply, and they vary by state. Many states have recently expanded or reopened the window to file. A free, confidential call simply tells you where you stand — no pressure, no obligation.
How it works
How negligent security works in a sexual abuse case
A negligent security claim usually turns on whether the assault was foreseeable and reasonably preventable. Your legal team builds the case by showing four connected things, supported by records, witnesses, and the property's own history:
- Duty of care — the owner had a legal obligation to keep the property reasonably safe for guests, residents, tenants, students, or customers.
- Breach of that duty — they failed to provide adequate security: broken locks or doors, burned-out lighting, non-working cameras, missing or untrained guards, inadequate fencing or gates, or no background checks on staff.
- Foreseeability — there were warning signs, such as prior assaults or crimes on or near the property, ignored complaints, or known trespasser problems that put the owner on notice.
- Causation and damages — the security failure directly enabled the assault, and you suffered real harm: medical and counseling costs, lost income, and the lasting emotional toll.
You do not need to have all of this assembled yourself. Gathering incident reports, maintenance logs, prior police calls, and camera records is the attorney's job, not yours.
Why survivors trust us
Real attorneys. Proven results. Quiet strength.
Where it applies
Settings where negligent security claims commonly arise
Inadequate security can turn a preventable risk into lasting harm. These are some of the places where these claims are most often filed.
Apartments & housing
Faulty gates, broken entry doors, dim parking areas, and ignored reports of strangers in the building can leave residents and guests exposed.
Hotels & motels
Unmonitored hallways, broken room locks, master keys handed out loosely, and no staff presence at night create foreseeable danger for guests.
Schools & campuses
Unsecured dorms, propped exterior doors, ignored warnings, and mishandled reports about a known predator can all point to negligent security.
Bars, venues & businesses
Failing to remove a known threat, no trained security at capacity events, and poorly lit lots are recurring issues in commercial settings.
Simple & safe
How it works
Reach out privately
Call or fill out a short, confidential form. Tell us only what you’re comfortable sharing.
We listen & match you
We connect you with an attorney licensed in your state who handles your type of case.
You decide what’s next
Your free consultation is no-obligation. If you move forward, there’s no fee unless you win.
Named, credentialed, local
Attorneys licensed in your state
Every connection is to a real attorney with verifiable credentials and a record of holding institutions accountable.
Michael Haggard, Esq.
Laurence Banville, Esq.
Eric Weitz, Esq.
Max Morgan, Esq.
Jeff Gibson, Esq.
Ervin Nevitt, Esq.
John Bey, Esq.
Aman Sharma, Esq.
Dan Lipman, Esq.
Joshua Gillispie, Esq.
Jennifer Lipinski, Esq.
Aaron Blank, Esq.
Common questions
Negligent security & sexual assault, answered
What does negligent security mean?
Negligent security means a property owner failed to take reasonable safety measures — like working locks, lighting, cameras, or guards — when an assault on the property was foreseeable. It is part of premises liability law, and it lets a survivor hold the owner accountable in a civil claim for harm that better security could have prevented.
What are the four things you need to prove negligence?
A negligent security case rests on four elements: duty (the owner owed you reasonable safety), breach (they failed to provide it), causation (that failure enabled the assault), and damages (you suffered real harm). Foreseeability — prior incidents or ignored warnings — ties them together by showing the owner should have acted.
Can negligent security apply to my case?
It may, if you were assaulted on someone else's property where security was inadequate and the danger was foreseeable. Common signs include broken locks or gates, poor lighting, missing guards, or prior crimes the owner ignored. The only way to know for sure is a free, confidential review of what happened to you.
How do you prove the assault was foreseeable?
Foreseeability usually comes from the property's own history: prior assaults or crimes on or near the site, earlier complaints from tenants or guests, police call records, or known security problems that were never fixed. When an owner had notice of danger and did nothing, a court can find the harm was foreseeable and preventable.
Is suing the property owner the same as a criminal case?
No. A criminal case is brought by the state against the person who committed the assault and can lead to jail. A negligent security claim is a civil case you bring against the property owner for failing to keep you safe. The two are separate, and you can pursue a civil claim regardless of whether a criminal case ever happens.
Is there a deadline to file a negligent security claim?
Yes — every state sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, and the clock often depends on your age, when the harm was discovered, and the type of claim. Some states have expanded these windows for survivors. Because the rules vary and matter a great deal, it is worth confirming your specific deadline early with an attorney.
What does it cost to talk to a lawyer about this?
Nothing upfront. Attorneys in this network handle negligent security cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no fees unless your case succeeds. The first conversation is free and confidential. You can learn where you stand without any financial risk and without committing to move forward.
What kind of compensation might be available?
A successful claim can recover economic damages — medical care, counseling, therapy, and lost income — and non-economic damages for the emotional harm you have carried. Every case is different, and no honest attorney can promise an amount. What we can promise is a clear, straight explanation of what your case may involve.
Free & confidential
Talk with someone who understands
Tell us what happened, in your own words and at your own pace. Your message is confidential, there is no fee to speak with us, and there is no obligation to move forward.
- 100% confidential — your privacy is protected
- No fee unless we win your case
- You stay in control of every step
Prefer to talk now? (877) 421-9608
Start your free case review
It only takes a minute. Share what you’re comfortable with.
You don’t have to carry this alone.
Take the first step on your terms. A free, confidential conversation could be the start of getting the justice and support you deserve.