Negligent Security Honest Guidance. Personal Support.

Negligent Security Lawyer in Dallas

Direct Attorney Access After an Assault or Robbery

An assault or robbery may support a negligent security claim when inadequate security measures contributed to the risk on a property with a history of crime. At Duke Seth PLLC, we handle these matters as premises liability cases, investigating what the responsible parties knew and whether reasonable security measures were in place.

Our firm brings more than 40 years of combined experience to personal injury representation. We’ve handled more than 2,000 cases and recovered over $25 million for clients. These past recoveries don’t guarantee a particular result, but they reflect our experience managing serious injury claims.

You receive quick, direct access to the attorney handling your case. We offer Spanish-language services and represent people throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and across Texas.

Call (214) 466-1740 for a free consultation about an injury connected to inadequate security in Dallas.

Our Negligent Security Investigation

A strong investigation looks beyond the criminal act itself. We examine the property conditions, security practices, available records, and decisions that may have contributed to the incident.

Depending on the facts, our review may include:

Physical evidence
Witness accounts
Maintenance records
Analysis from qualified experts

We also assess the injured person’s legal status on the property. An invitee enters for the benefit of the person or entity controlling the premises, such as a shopper or apartment tenant. A licensee has permission to enter for another purpose, while a trespasser enters without permission. These classifications can affect the duty owed under Texas law.

Clear Guidance Based on Your Goals

Legal standards can be difficult to follow when several companies controlled different parts of a property’s operations. We explain the issues in plain language and answer your questions throughout the case. Understanding your personal goals allows us to offer guidance suited to your circumstances.

Insurance Negotiation & Trial Preparation

We conduct insurance negotiations supported by the evidence developed during our investigation. When a case can’t be resolved through negotiation, we’re willing to take it to trial. We pursue the available legal options while keeping you informed about the decisions involved.

Conditions That May Support a Negligent Security Claim

Negligent security is a property-based claim involving a criminal act and a condition or security failure that contributed to the risk. The occurrence of a crime alone doesn’t establish liability. The surrounding conditions, prior incidents, control of the premises, and applicable legal duties all require careful examination.

Relevant security conditions may include:

Broken or ineffective door locks
Inadequate lighting in parking or common areas
Inoperative surveillance cameras
Unsecured doors, gates, or other entry points
Insufficient security staffing

Negligent security incidents can occur in many settings, including:

Apartment complexes
Parking lots and garages
Hotels
Bars and nightclubs
Retail properties
Office properties

For residential properties, Texas Property Code Section 92.153 requires landlords to install specified security devices at the landlord’s expense, including keyed deadbolts, keyless bolting devices, and door viewers.

Parties Whose Responsibilities May Be Examined

Responsibility may depend on who controlled the property and who agreed to perform specific security functions. A claim may examine the conduct of a property owner, management company, security contractor, or employer. Contracts and management agreements can help establish how those responsibilities were divided.

Texas Foreseeability & Liability for Inadequate Security

Texas courts consider whether a violent crime was foreseeable before imposing liability for inadequate security. Foreseeability means whether the risk could reasonably have been anticipated based on information available before the incident. Courts apply the Timberwalk factors, which examine the proximity, recency, frequency, similarity, and publicity of prior crimes compared with the crime that caused the injury.

A claim also requires evidence that the responsible party had actual or constructive knowledge of a dangerous condition and failed to correct it or provide an adequate warning. Actual knowledge means the party was directly aware of the condition. Constructive knowledge means the condition existed long enough, or was sufficiently apparent, that the party reasonably should have discovered it.

Evidence relevant to notice, control, and foreseeability may include:

Prior crime records and incident reports
Surveillance footage and security logs
Maintenance and repair records
Witness accounts
Security contracts and management agreements

Proportionate Responsibility

Texas applies proportionate responsibility, a rule that assigns each party a percentage of fault. A claimant’s recovery is reduced by that person’s percentage of responsibility. Recovery is barred when the claimant is found more than 50 percent responsible.

Compensation & Filing Deadlines for Dallas Claims

Available damages in a negligent security case may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses supported by the facts. The amount and categories available depend on the injuries, evidence, insurance coverage, and parties legally responsible. No attorney can promise compensation before investigating those issues.

Texas negligence-based personal injury claims generally have a two-year statute of limitations measured from the date of injury. Acting promptly can also help preserve surveillance footage, witness information, incident documentation, maintenance records, and security records that may otherwise be lost or overwritten.

Different requirements may apply when an incident occurs on government-owned property. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, formal written notice generally must be provided to the responsible government entity within six months of the incident. These claims also require proof that the government entity had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition rather than constructive knowledge, and additional rules may affect whether a claim can proceed.

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Call us at (214) 466-1740 or fill out the form below to get started with a free consultation.

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Real Experiences From Past Clients

Discuss Your Negligent Security Claim at No Upfront Cost

We offer free initial consultations so you can discuss what happened, where the incident occurred, and what information may be available. Virtual appointments are available if you prefer to speak with us remotely.

We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney fees are paid from a recovery rather than charged upfront. We charge no attorney fees without a result. Our contact form allows you to share basic information before your consultation.

Call (214) 466-1740 to schedule your free consultation with Duke Seth PLLC.

"I Was Very Impressed"
I was very impressed by this lawyer expertise. She handled my case with professionalism and achieved an outstanding result. I would also like to thank Ms. Carter for all her work with this case.

- Charles J.
"So Thankful"
Extremely thankful for Maria (Paralegal) and Lawyer Walker Duke, who helped make this process as easy as possible! Maria made sure to keep me informed every step of the way, and both Mr. Duke and Maria fought endlessly to make sure I was taken care of! No one wants to have to deal with this but unfortunately, car accidents happen, and I’m so thankful I had them here to help!

- Patricia A.
"Fabulous Job"
I just want to thank my attorney, Meenu and her paralegal, Maureen, and the rest of the staff at Duke Seth law office. They did a wonderful job for me in getting my settlement in a timely manner as a little headache as possible. Meenu is caring understanding and obviously knows exactly what she’s doing. Maureen’s always in her to answer my questions, and they both did a fabulous job guiding me through the whole process !! Thank you, ladies, for all of your hard work and dedication!!

- Kathryn L.
"So Helpful"
Maria was so helpful during this time, answering all my questions in a timely manner, keeping us updated on the case, and making everything so smooth!

- Jackie M.
"I Was So Impressed"
Maureen Carter is exceptional. She expertly guide you through each and every step. Should you have any inquiries, Maureen promptly responds. The information provided is clear and easily understood, creating a sense of being cared for as if you were one of her own family members. I was so impressed with their service that I immediately knew who to reach out to when I had my second accident. They are transparent and honest about what to expect. Maureen is my trusted individual. Thank you for assisting me through some tough and frightening incidents in my life. If you are seeking a law firm that is honest, caring, and will get you the results you deserve, look no further than Duke Seth, PLLC. Oh, and I believe Maureen deserves a raise.

- Queen Diva J.
"Genuinely Care About Their Clients"
I was involved in a car accident on February 19, 2022, and Duke Seth, PLLC, provided me with exceptional legal support throughout the entire process. Meenu Seth, who was the main lawyer handling my case, along with Maureen Carter, went above and beyond to ensure that everything was taken care of with the utmost professionalism and dedication.

Their expertise and attention to detail were evident from the start. They guided me through each step, kept me informed, and were always available to answer any questions I had. The personal attention I received from Meenu and Maureen made a challenging situation much easier to navigate, and I truly felt that my case was in the best possible hands.

The outcome of my case was better than I could have hoped for, thanks to their hard work and commitment. I highly recommend Duke Seth, PLLC, and especially Meenu Seth and Maureen Carter, to anyone in need of legal assistance. They are not just skilled attorneys but also genuinely care about their clients.

- Sandeep B.
"Highly Suggest"
Renee Johnson is truly an asset to this firm. She worked patiently with me and guided me through the process. In the midst of pain and trauma, she made the process painless and I am grateful that you have her. Maneeu Seth is an absolute treasure of an attorney. She worked tirelessly, compassionately, and empathetically to get my claim resolved and i cant thank her enough. Thank you Walker Duke for doing such an amazing job with my case. Your work will not go unrewarded. Anyone in need of an attorney to handle your case, I highly suggest Walker Duke. You won't regret it.

- Dana J.
"Great Job"
Very nice results, and all the staff were very polite and professional. I would recommend Duke Seth to anyone in need of an attorney after an accident. Thank you so much, Renah Johnson and Meenu Seth for a great job and guidance through this whole process.

- Ronnie V.

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