We Stand Up for Victims of Violence

A New York negligent security attorney will fight for you.

In a city as large as New York, some amount of violent crime is inevitable – but most of it is preventable. Property owners need to do their part by providing adequate security on their premises. When they don’t do so and crimes occur, lives can be changed forever.

If you’ve been assaulted due to negligent security, you have legal rights and options. An experienced lawyer can be your advocate. Keogh Crispi, P.C. is proud to stand up for victims of violence, including a $1.137 million verdict for a man who sustained serious injuries due to excessive force by a security guard. We’d be honored to discuss your legal options in a free, confidential, no-pressure consultation. Contact us today.

What is negligent security?

Negligent security is an application of premises liability law, the area of personal injury law that deals with the responsibility of property owners and managers for their premises. While property owners aren’t expected to make their premises 100% safe 100% of the time, they are required to take reasonable precautions to secure the premises. In areas where there is a known risk of violent crime, that includes appropriate security measures.

Some examples of negligent security include:

• Failing to use or maintain security equipment like cameras or alarms.
• Not erecting physical barriers like fences or letting them fall into disrepair.
• Inadequately screening or monitoring visitors to the premises.
• Failing to hire security guards or hiring guards without proper training and background checks.
• Security guards falling asleep while on duty or taking breaks without coverage.
• Security guards using excessive force or acting recklessly.
• Inadequately lighting the premises, allowing crimes to happen under cover of darkness.

A negligent security lawsuit is a civil claim against the person or business responsible for allowing a crime to happen. This is distinct from any criminal charges that might be filed by the State of New York against the person who committed the crime.

What can be recovered in a negligent security lawsuit?

Physical assault, sexual assault, rape, and other crimes can have a dramatic effect on a victim’s quality of life. In addition to treatment for physical injuries sustained in a violent crime, there is the emotional trauma inflicted. Victims may need years of therapy and treatment, and their ability to work or do the things they love is stolen. Sadly, some victims of negligent security lose their lives, leaving loved ones devastated.

No lawsuit can undo a crime, but a negligent security lawsuit can provide a path to move forward by paying for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, and more. A successful negligent security claim also sends a strong message to property owners that they need to do more to secure their premises, making our whole community safer. Just as importantly, a negligent security claim provides some closure for the victim by definitively showing that what happened wasn’t their fault.

In short, after a crime occurs, victims of negligent security need a voice. The attorney you choose to be your voice will make all the difference.

We know how to build strong cases on behalf of victims.

After a violent crime, you of course need to call the police and tell them what happened. Remember, though, that their job is to deal with the offender, not the victim. Their role is important, but you also need to tell your story to someone who will stand up for your rights and fight for your recourse under New York law. When you come to us, we’ll listen – and we’ll start thinking about how we will find a positive outcome for you.

If you choose to hire us, we’ll launch an immediate investigation focused on understanding why the crime happened and who should have done more to prevent it. Who was responsible for the part of the premises where the crime occurred? Were they aware of risks of crime in the area? What security steps, if any, did they take? We have strong relationships with expert witnesses who can speak to the established security standards on the type of premises where you were harmed and explain how and why the defendant fell short.

Depending on the answers to these questions, the responsible party might be the owner of the property, a tenant, a private security company, or even the manufacturer of security equipment. Our goal is to get you clear answers so that you can decide how to move forward.

We will not be outmaneuvered, and we will not back down.

We’re always prepared to take negligent security cases to trial and stand up for victims in court. When we’re able to settle cases out of court with the negligent company’s insurance company, it’s because of the depth of our preparation. When they see we’re prepared to tell a compelling story to a jury, knowing our reputation and results, they pay up. If they won’t offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take them to court.

A negligent security case can be a long process, but we’re in the fight with you every step of the way. We will handle the insurance company day-to-day so that you can focus on healing, and we will fully prepare you for each step in the process. You were there, you know what happened, and your story matters. We will give you the support and guidance you need to present your case to a judge and jury and advocate for your legal rights. Moreover, we represent victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying us. If we win your case, our fee is a percentage of the recovery; if we don’t win, you don’t owe us a cent.

If you’ve been harmed because of negligent security, we would be honored to hear from you and explain your legal options. It’s important to take action quickly, before evidence disappears and legal deadlines expire. Contact us online or give us a call to schedule your free and confidential consultation with a New York negligent security attorney.