Negligent Security Attorney in Burleson

Investigating Security Failures Behind Serious Injuries

After a violent incident on commercial property, a negligent security case turns on what the property owner knew, which security measures were in place, and whether reasonable action could have reduced a foreseeable risk. At Coontz Cochran, we represent people injured by criminal acts on commercial properties in Burleson and Mansfield. Our injury practice includes premises liability claims involving insufficient security, poor lighting, and other dangerous property conditions.

Attorney Greg Coontz has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993. Since our founding in Burleson in 1990, we have handled thousands of cases throughout Johnson County and surrounding areas while developing individualized strategies for clients facing insurers and property owners.

Speak with a negligent security lawyer in Burleson about the circumstances of your injury. Call (888) 858-0536 for a free consultation.

Negligent Security Claims Under Texas Premises Liability Law

Negligent security is a branch of Texas premises liability law involving injuries caused by foreseeable criminal acts when a property owner or operator failed to provide reasonable security measures. These claims can arise at apartment complexes, shopping centers, parking garages, and other commercial properties.

The adequacy of security depends on the property, known risks, prior events, and circumstances surrounding the incident. A measure that’s reasonable in one setting might not address the risks present in another.

Conditions that may support an investigation include:

• Poor lighting in parking areas, stairwells, entrances, or walkways
• Broken locks, doors, fences, or access gates
• Security cameras that were missing or not functioning
• Inadequate security personnel for known conditions
• Failure to respond to prior similar incidents

What an Injured Visitor Generally Must Prove

A Texas negligent security claim generally requires proof of duty, breach, causation, and damages. Duty refers to the legal obligation owed, while breach means that obligation wasn’t met. Causation connects the security failure to the injury, and damages are the resulting personal and financial losses.

The injured person’s visitor status also affects the property owner’s duty. An invitee enters for a purpose connected to the owner’s business, while a licensee enters with permission for another reason. A trespasser enters without permission. We evaluate that status alongside the property conditions and facts of the incident.

Foreseeability & Evidence in Burleson Security Cases

Texas property owners generally don’t have a duty to protect invitees from every unexpected third-party crime. A duty may arise when criminal conduct was foreseeable, meaning the surrounding facts provided reason to anticipate a similar risk.

In Timberwalk Apartments, Partners, Inc. v. Cain, the Texas Supreme Court identified proximity, recency, frequency, similarity, and publicity of prior crimes as considerations when assessing foreseeability. Del Lago Partners, Inc. v. Smith recognizes another route to foreseeability: violent conduct can become predictable when events unfolding in front of property staff signal an immediate risk.

Our investigation can include property maintenance records, security footage, witness statements, prior incident reports, and documentation created after the event. These materials may show what happened, whether similar problems had occurred, and what information was available to those responsible for the property. We also evaluate applicable Johnson County safety ordinances as part of our case review.

Damages, Shared Fault & Texas Filing Deadlines

A negligent security claim seeks compensation for losses caused by the resulting injuries. Depending on the facts and supporting evidence, recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain
• Physical limitations
• Other documented losses

The civil claim against a property owner is separate from the criminal case against the attacker. The attacker’s identification, arrest, or conviction doesn’t determine whether the property owner had and breached a separate security duty.

Texas proportionate responsibility law can reduce damages according to an injured person’s assigned percentage of fault. A person generally may recover when they aren’t more than 50 percent responsible, although the recovery is reduced by that percentage. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(a) generally requires an injury lawsuit to be filed within two years after the claim accrues, but the applicable deadline should be evaluated using the specific facts.

Our Negligent Security Claim Process

The claim process begins with medical attention and notice to the property’s owner or manager. Medical records can document the injuries, while an incident report and related records can preserve important information about the event.

We then gather available evidence, evaluate the legal duties involved, and develop a strategy based on the client’s circumstances and goals. We use the evidence assembled during the investigation to negotiate with insurers. If negotiations don’t resolve the claim, we may file suit through the Johnson County courthouse system and continue through litigation.

Discuss Your Claim Without an Upfront Legal Fee

During a free initial consultation, we evaluate injury claims and explain the legal process. Our contact form allows you to share information about the property, security concerns, and injuries involved.

For injury cases, clients pay nothing upfront or out of pocket. Our fee is paid from a recovery under a written fee agreement, so we collect a legal fee only if we recover compensation on the client’s behalf.

Get a clear assessment of your next steps. Call Coontz Cochran at (888) 858-0536 to schedule your free consultation.