Madisonville Negligent Security Attorneys
When Property Owners Fail to Protect Against Violent Crime
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a safe condition to protect their guests—not just from physical hazards like broken stairs or slippery floors, but also from foreseeable criminal activity. When they fail to provide adequate security and someone is assaulted, robbed, or worse, the victim may have a valid claim for negligent security.
At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, we stand up for people who’ve suffered serious injuries or losses because of violent acts that could and should have been prevented. Our Madisonville negligent security attorneys investigate what the property owner knew, what steps they failed to take, and whether better security could have made a difference. If it could have, we pursue justice with everything we’ve got.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a person is harmed by criminal activity on someone else’s property—such as in an apartment complex, hotel, parking garage, or nightclub—due to a lack of reasonable security measures. The issue isn’t the crime itself, but the failure to anticipate and guard against it.
Negligent security can include, for example:
- Inadequate lighting in parking garages or stairwells
- Broken or missing locks on doors or gates
- Lack of security cameras or surveillance
- No trained security personnel in high-risk areas
- Failure to respond to prior incidents or known threats
Whether the incident involved a shooting, sexual assault, mugging, or other violent attack, the key legal question is whether the property owner could have taken reasonable steps to reduce the risk and failed to do so.
Liability for Foreseeable Criminal Acts
Kentucky law doesn’t expect property owners to prevent all crime—but it does expect them to take reasonable precautions when crime is foreseeable. If a particular area has a history of assaults or thefts, or if prior complaints have gone ignored, the owner may be on notice of the danger.
Foreseeability can be established in a number of ways, such as prior incidents of crime on or near the premises, a history of police calls or complaints, industry standards for security in similar properties, and the nature and location of the business (e.g., late-night establishments in high-crime areas). In these cases, failing to act—by not installing cameras, refusing to fix broken locks, or cutting back on security staff—can rise to the level of negligence.
Common Locations for Negligent Security Claims in Madisonville
Negligent security can occur almost anywhere, but certain types of properties are more frequently involved in litigation:
- Apartment complexes and rental housing
- Hotels and motels
- Shopping malls and retail stores
- Bars, clubs, and late-night venues
- College campuses
- Parking garages and surface lots
- Hospitals and nursing homes
These locations may attract criminal activity or present unique risks, especially if people are likely to be alone, impaired, or unaware of their surroundings. Owners and managers of these properties must be proactive about preventing foreseeable harm.
Injuries and Losses in Negligent Security Cases
Crimes resulting from poor security often lead to devastating consequences—both physical and emotional. Victims may suffer gunshot wounds, stab injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, or sexual assault. Many experience long-term psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.
At Whitfield Crosby & Flynn, we pursue full compensation for medical expenses, both immediate and long-term, as well as the victim’s pain and suffering, emotional distress and psychological trauma. We also pursue lost wages when the injury has forced the victim to miss work or become disabled. We treat every negligent security claim with the gravity it deserves. These are not just “accidents”—they’re serious, often violent incidents that demand serious legal attention.
Why Experience and Trial Readiness Matter
Negligent security cases can be complex. Property owners and their insurance companies often deny responsibility, blaming the criminal act or insisting it was unforeseeable. They may claim the victim was trespassing or engaging in risky behavior.
That’s why it’s crucial to work with a law firm that knows how to investigate, litigate, and present a strong case in court. We gather police records, crime statistics, surveillance footage, maintenance logs, and expert testimony to build a powerful case for liability and damages.
Whitfield Crosby & Flynn is a trial-ready firm. We don’t bluff, and we don’t back down. If we take your case, it’s because we believe in it—and we’re prepared to prove it.
Get Help from a Kentucky Negligent Security Lawyer
If you or someone you love was attacked or seriously injured on someone else’s property due to poor or nonexistent security, you may have a legal claim worth pursuing. Don’t let a property owner’s failure to act go unchallenged.
Contact Whitfield Crosby & Flynn today for a no-cost, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and fight for the justice you deserve.