When you step foot onto someone else’s property, you expect it to be safe and free from dangers—especially those posed by criminal activity. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. When properties lack security, crime is more likely, and innocent victims are often targets.
Property owners in Buffalo and throughout all of New York are required to maintain properties that are safe both from an injury and security perspective. If you were hurt or victimized on an unsecured property, you may be eligible for compensation from the property owner due to their negligence.
The Buffalo negligent security lawyers at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law have the experience and resources to get you the compensation you deserve for the pain and trauma you experienced. Contact us today for a free consultation.
$2,500,000
Settlement at trial for negligent road design
$2,400,000
Settlement at trial for a construction worker
$1,750,000
For a student injured at school
$1,300,000
For a motorcyclist
$1,200,000
Verdict for Car Crash Victim
$1,000,000
For a motorcyclist
$950,000
For car crash victim
Examples of Negligent Security in Buffalo
When a property lacks security, it can become a hotbed for criminal activity. Some of the most common lapses in security that can lead to criminal acts and victimization of guests and visitors include:
- Inadequate lighting
- Broken locks or gates
- Lack of functioning security cameras
- Insufficient security personnel
- Failure to warn of known dangers
Who May Be Liable for Negligent Security?
Establishing and maintain adequate security on a property is one of the most important responsibilities of a property owner. When they fail to uphold this responsibility, they can and should be held liable for victims’ damages. Speaking with a Buffalo premises liability attorney can help you understand which parties may be legally responsible for your injuries. Commonly responsible parties for negligent security include:
- Apartment complexes and rental properties
- Hotels and motels
- Shopping centers and retail establishments
- Parking garages and lots
- Nightclubs, bars, and entertainment venues
- College campuses and schools
- Office buildings and commercial properties
- Hospitals and medical facilities
Proving Fault in Negligent Security Cases
Three factors must be proven in negligent security cases to build a successful claim:
- Duty of care: Property owners and businesses have a legal obligation to provide a reasonably safe environment for visitors and tenants, including implementing adequate security measures when necessary.
- Example: A hotel has a duty to ensure its parking lot is well-lit and monitored to prevent criminal activity.
- Breach of duty: When a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to provide security, they may be considered negligent.
- Example: An apartment complex with a history of break-ins does not repair broken security gates or install adequate lighting, making residents vulnerable to attacks.
- Causation and damages: The victim must prove that the lack of security directly contributed to their harm and resulted in damages such as medical bills, lost wages, or emotional trauma.
- Example: A customer is assaulted in a poorly lit parking garage with no security personnel, and they suffer serious injuries, demonstrating that proper security measures could have prevented the attack.
The Consequences of Negligent Security
Too often, the people who pay the biggest consequences for negligent security aren’t the negligent property owners. Instead, it’s their visitors and guests who suffer from serious injuries and traumatic aftermaths, including:
Physical trauma
- Assault and battery injuries
- Gunshot and stabbing wounds
- Sexual assault consequences
Psychological consequences
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Anxiety and depression
- Social withdrawal
Compensation After a Negligent Security Incident
The aftermath of a negligent security-related incident can be devastating for a victim and their family. Not only are these incidents often physically damaging, but they can be extremely emotionally harmful as well.
Thankfully, crime victims can often pursue negligent security claims against property owners for many different types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Mental health counseling
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Ida and Stephanie were great! They kept me posted about my case. They provided documents for my doctors to fill out so I had as much medical records as I could! Stephanie represented me in the Judge appeal and was great asking me questions about my disability and helping me convey those disabilities to the judge! I’m so grateful ☺️ for their help! Highly recommend them!
Working with Hiller Comerford was easy. They took care of everything and their communication was exceptional. I’ve already referred others to them.
Seriously grateful to my attorney, Ryan Taylor. I spent years trying to navigate VA disability on my own and they managed to finally make headway where I could not.
Everyone I spoke with and worked with was extremely kind and had great communication also they were compassionate,they worked very diligently to help me and kept me well informed throughout the process I couldn't thank them enough.
I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law for their exceptional support and guidance throughout my disability benefits process. Their expertise and dedication made an overwhelming situation feel manageable, and they ensured every step was handled with care and clarity. I am truly grateful for their assistance and highly recommend their services.
My lawyer RyanTaylor was amazing. He told me exactly how the process goes, what to expect and how long it realistically would take. He was able to get for me exactly what I had tried twice to do myself but was rejected by the VA for. I will recommend all my Veteran friends to him.
Hard workers, always looking at the positive side of the case and always listening to the client. Only down remark is hard to get calls back.
Hiller Comerford have been amazing. They got me a fully favorable decision on my disability claim, I could have never been able to do that on my own. Everyone in their office is so kind and so knowledgeable. They really helped make a difficult time of my life a pleasure. Thank you so much Hiller Comerford!!!
The firm understands the situation, and are very acknowledged about the social security laws and guidelines. Staff were very friendly. The attorney that represented me was Charles Gaughan and the case manager was Olivia Fritzen. They did a wonderful job with my representation for my case. I would highly recommend The law firm of Hiller and Comerford.
How Our Buffalo Negligent Security Lawyers Can Help
As traumatic as a negligent security incident is, it can be made even worse when the property owner denies responsibility, leaving you facing expensive medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma all on your own. However, having an experienced Buffalo negligent security attorney on your side can put the power back in your hands to get maximum compensation.
When our legal team takes on a new negligent security case, we take the following steps to maximize our clients’ chances of winning at the negotiation table or in the courtroom:
- Investigate the incident and collect evidence
- Document the lack of security measures
- Research similar incidents and prior complaints
- Consult with security experts
- Gather witness testimonies
- Calculate all your damages
- Negotiate with insurers, so you can focus on recovering from this traumatic incident
- Fight for you in court if necessary
If You’ve Been Hurt Because of Negligent Security, Contact Us
As a victim of negligent security and a criminal act, you’ve been through enough already. It’s time for you to get a legal advocate on your side who cares about your recovery and wants to hold the negligent party fully accountable. Contact Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law today for a free case review.
FAQ: Buffalo Negligent Security Lawyer
How do you prove that a criminal attack was “foreseeable” under New York law?
In Buffalo and throughout New York, a property owner is only liable for a criminal attack if the harm was reasonably foreseeable, meaning they knew or should have known there was a risk and failed to take reasonable security measures. Foreseeability is typically shown through prior similar incidents on or near the property, documented complaints or warnings about safety issues, and the overall security conditions of the location, rather than general crime alone. Our attorneys at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law evaluate police records, incident history, and property conditions to determine whether foreseeability can be established in your case.
Can I file a civil negligent security lawsuit if the criminal was never caught by the police?
Yes, in Buffalo, you can still bring a negligent security claim even if the attacker was never identified or arrested, because civil cases are separate from criminal prosecutions and use a lower burden of proof. A criminal case focuses on punishing the offender, while a civil case focuses on whether a property owner failed to use reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm, so the identity of the attacker is not required. Our attorneys at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law can investigate the incident and pursue compensation even when law enforcement has not identified the perpetrator.
What happens if I was attacked by another tenant or an employee of the business?
If an assault is committed by another tenant or a business employee, liability in New York may still exist if the property owner or employer knew or should have known about a risk of violence and failed to take reasonable action to prevent it. This can include situations involving negligent hiring or supervision of employees, or failure by a landlord to address prior complaints or known dangerous behavior by another tenant. Our negligent security attorneys at Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law review prior incidents, complaints, and property records to determine whether the owner failed in their duty to protect you.
