Indianapolis should be a safe place for everyone, but when property owners fail to take security seriously, accidents and criminal activity happen. Poor lighting, broken locks, and other security lapses create opportunities for assaults, robberies, and other dangerous incidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligent security, Poynter & Bucheri is here to help. We hold negligent property owners accountable and fight to get you justice and compensation in a negligent security lawsuit.
Contact our law firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case and get the maximum compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Or call us at 800-265-9881.
What Qualifies as “Negligent Security” in Indiana?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability that happens when a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe from foreseeable harm.
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain secure premises and implement reasonable safety measures to prevent criminal acts. If a crime occurred due to a property or business owner’s failure to meet adequate security measures, they can be liable for their negligence under Indianapolis negligent security law.
Examples of negligent security include broken locks on doors and windows, lack of security cameras, overgrown landscaping that blocks visibility, and missing or untrained security guards. Victims have the right to file a negligent security claim. An experienced lawyer can help build a strong case for maximum financial recovery.
How Negligent Security Enables Crime
When property owners fail to make basic security efforts—such as adequate lighting in parking lots, security cameras, or secure entryways—they create opportunities for criminal activity to go unnoticed.
Poor lighting allows attackers to hide, broken locks and unsecured doors give criminals easy access, and the lack of surveillance cameras makes it harder to identify and stop threats. Under premises liability law, property owners have a duty to maintain a safe environment to help prevent criminal acts.
When owners ignore these risks, they fail to protect visitors. If you’ve been harmed due to inadequate security, an Indianapolis negligent security lawyer can help you seek justice.
Common Injuries Due to Negligent Security
Severe injuries from criminal assaults and other violent crimes can happen, including head injuries from being struck or falling, broken bones and fractures from physical altercations, and lacerations and bruises from muggings. In violent crimes, victims may suffer significant blood loss, internal injuries from blunt force trauma, or other life-threatening harm.
Negligent security doesn’t just cause physical harm—it can lead to lasting psychological trauma. Many victims develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after violent crimes, such as sexual assaults. Others struggle with anxiety, panic disorders, or depression caused by a constant fear of being unsafe. Sleep disorders, nightmares, and hypervigilance can make it difficult to return to a normal life.
The toll of these criminal acts is debilitating, making it necessary for victims to seek legal support. Contact Poynter & Bucheri today for a free case evaluation from top negligent security attorneys.
How To Establish Property Owner Liability
To prove property owner liability in a negligent security case, you must show that the owner failed to provide reasonable security, leading to a crime or injury. The following key elements must be proven:
Duty of Care
Under premises liability law, property and business owners must maintain safe conditions and ensure a reasonable expectation of security for those on the premises legally. Security measures, including lighting, locks, cameras, and security guards, help prevent criminal activity and protect visitors.
Breach of Duty
A breach of duty happens when an owner fails to provide adequate security, creating a dangerous environment for visitors. If someone is injured due to negligent security on someone else’s property, the owner may be held liable for not taking reasonable precautions.
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny negligent security claims, and not all property owners have coverage for these incidents. Having a strong Indianapolis negligent security lawyer is key to fighting for the payout you deserve.
Foreseeability and How It Can Prove Negligence
To prove Indianapolis negligent security liability, it must be shown that the crime or injury has “reasonable foreseeability,” meaning the business or property owner knew or should have known there was a risk of harm. If similar crimes happened nearby or security concerns were reported but ignored, the owner can be held accountable for not addressing foreseeable dangers.
For example, if an apartment complex has a history of break-ins documented in police reports, but the owner fails to install alarm systems or hire security personnel, they have neglected their duty to prevent foreseeable harm. Courts consider evidence like police reports and crime statistics to determine foreseeability and whether proper security measures were in place.
Direct Causation
There must be a clear link between the property owner’s carelessness and the plaintiff’s injuries to prove negligent security happened. It’s about proving the existing security measures failed or were inadequate, not what could have been done.
For example, if security cameras in an apartment complex parking lot malfunction and someone is attacked, the lack of proper security creates an unsafe environment that enables crime. If the owner knew about the issue and didn’t fix it, the victim may have a personal injury claim.
Damages Suffered
Victims must prove negligent security caused actual harm, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering resulting from the incident.
Victims can build a strong, negligent security case by gathering security footage, crime reports, witness testimonies, and expert evaluations. If a property owner fails to uphold their responsibility and someone falls victim, they can be held liable for negligent security under Indiana law.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Negligent Security Injury
Property owners who fail to provide adequate security can be held accountable in a negligent security claim. You may be able to pursue compensation for:
Medical Expenses
- Coverage for hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation costs
- Future medical treatments related to your injuries
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
- Compensation for missed workdays due to recovery
- Loss of future income if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or impact your ability to earn at the same level
Pain and Suffering
- Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and long-term trauma
- Compensation for PTSD, anxiety, depression, or fear resulting from the attack or injury
Property Damage
- Reimbursement for stolen or damaged personal belongings, such as phones, wallets, or vehicles, during an incident caused by negligent security
Wrongful Death Damages (If Applicable)
- If a loved one was killed due to negligent security, their family may seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support.
Punitive Damages (In Some Cases)
- In cases where a property owner’s negligence was especially reckless, a court may award punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter future negligence. Indiana law caps punitive damages at three times the compensatory damages or $50,000, whichever is greater.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to negligent security, you deserve justice and financial relief for the harm you’ve endured. A negligent security claim can help you recover these damages and hold the responsible party at fault.
Contact a Negligent Security Lawyer in Indianapolis Today
Don’t wait to seek justice. Property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises safe. When they fail, you have the right to hold them accountable. At Poynter & Bucheri, our legal team is committed to fighting for your rights and helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
Call our law firm today at 800-265-9881 or click here to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you take the next step toward justice with a strong, negligent security claim.