New York City Negligent Security Injury Lawyers

NYC Negligent Security Lawyers  Fighting for Victims of Preventable Violence

There are lots of places we go where we expect some level of security. Sometimes, that will be security measures provided by property owners. In other cases, this security might be more public — for instance, security guards at a ball game or public event.

However, security that’s provided isn’t always adequate — and it’s a sad fact that this often isn’t realised until it’s too late.

If you’ve been injured and you feel like a property owner, company, or public body could have done a better job of protecting you from harm, you may have a negligent security claim.

Negligent security isn’t bad luck — it’s preventable harm. Our New York negligent security lawyers at Sakkas Cahn & Weiss have spent decades proving that assaults, robberies, and other violent incidents could have been avoided if property owners had taken even basic precautions. Backed by a long record of verdicts and settlements, we hold negligent parties accountable and fight for the justice and compensation every client deserves.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security cases arise when a property owner, business, or management company fails to take basic safety precautions and someone is injured as a result. These claims often involve places like apartment buildings, hotels, parking garages, or nightclubs where locks, lighting, or security staff were missing, broken, or untrained.

Most negligent security claims are handled under premises liability laws. In this kind of lawsuit, an experienced New York negligent security attorney will examine the law and the reasonable expectation of security. If it is found to have caused injury, our premises liability lawyers will pursue business or property owners for failing to provide adequate security.

Do I Have a Negligent Security Case in NY?

You may have a case if your injury happened on property where the owner knew or should have known about prior criminal activity but failed to act. Typical examples include:

• Broken or missing door locks
• Poor or absent lighting in hallways or parking areas
• Non-functioning or uncovered security cameras
• Untrained or absent security guards
• Ignored reports of prior assaults or break-ins

If these conditions led to an attack, robbery, or assault, our New York negligent security lawyers can investigate and determine whether you have a claim under New York premises liability law.

What Elements Must Be Proven in a Negligent Security Case

To win a negligent security case, your attorney must show that:

1. The property owner owed you a duty of care: You must have been lawfully on the property, for example, as a tenant, customer, or invited guest. Under New York law, property owners are required to take reasonable steps to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable harm.
2. The owner failed to provide adequate security: This could mean missing locks, poor lighting, broken cameras, or a lack of trained security personnel. Your attorney will examine whether the owner ignored known risks or failed to meet reasonable safety standards for the location.
3. That failure directly caused your injury: The case must show a link between the owner’s negligence and what happened — for instance, that an assault or robbery occurred because proper security measures were not in place.
4. You suffered measurable damages: These can include medical expenses, lost income, ongoing treatment costs, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life. Documentation of these losses helps establish the full value of your claim.

Our experienced New York negligent security attorneys gather surveillance footage, witness statements, maintenance records, and expert analysis to prove each element of the case. We use our advanced knowledge and skills to demonstrate how improved security could have prevented your harm and to hold property owners accountable.

How Do Negligent Security Attorneys Approach This Kind of Case?

A negligent security case presents a unique set of challenges for an attorney, so it’s important that you choose one with experience and a proven track record.

We always start by establishing whether or not the property owner owed you a duty of care. In simple terms, was it their job to keep you safe? This often requires a deep dive into premises and municipal liability law, which are areas we excel in.

We then need to look at the criminal activity itself. Was it reasonably foreseeable? Now, anyone could argue that they can’t predict the future, but this is not the case. Looking at previous crimes in the property or the area will help us establish whether or not the property owner could have foreseen a problem.

Beyond this, we’ll use our experience and the experience of security experts to help us decide whether the security measures in place are aligned with the level of risk that was present.

What Kinds of Costs and Damages Might Be Recovered in Negligent Security Cases in NY?

If you’ve been the victim of an attack that the appropriate security measures could have prevented, you can be left with enormous medical bills and other unforeseen costs. We will passionately advocate on your behalf to make sure you’re compensated for all current and future costs.

Such costs can include:

• Medical treatment
• Ongoing care and support
• Injury rehabilitation
• Emotional distress and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement
• Disability
• Lost wages and future income
• Missed opportunities
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Of course, we also advocate for people who have lost a loved one as a result of negligent security practices. We understand that it is impossible to put a value on a person’s life, but we’ll do everything we possibly can to make sure that you will not be left with a financial hole in your life.

What Happens If You Feel Partly to Blame for Your Injuries?

Many people blame themselves after an attack or injury. They should have been more aware of their surroundings or taken a different path to their destination. But these feelings shouldn’t diminish the true cause of your injuries — someone who chose to break the law. But even if there is some blame to be shifted to you, given the specific facts of your case, you can still recover money damages for your injuries.

In New York, liability can be shared, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault. For example, if you’re found 10% responsible, you can still receive 90% of your damages. If negligent security played a role, our attorneys will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Meet Our Dedicated Legal Team

We believe in the power of working together to achieve extraordinary results for our clients. Each of our distinguished attorneys brings their own strengths and insights to create a dynamic team that tackles even the most challenging cases with determination and skill.

What our clients value most about us:

• Fierce Determination to Win
• Excellence in Negotiations
• Personal Attention to Every Case

Attorneys

Matthew Sakkas Esq.

Partner

Adam D. Cahn Esq.

Managing Partner

Mitchel E. Weiss Esq.

Associate Attorney