Apartment complexes should be safe for residents. However, they are one of the most common sites for shootings across the country. Unfortunately, many shooting incidents happen because landlords or management companies fail to address known safety risks.
In Texas, victims of apartment shootings may have the right to pursue compensation through a negligent security claim if a property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable criminal activity. The sections below discuss all you need to know.
What Security Standards Apply to Apartment Complexes in Texas?
Under Texas premises liability law, property owners and managers have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep their property safe for tenants and lawful visitors. Landlords do not have to prevent every crime. However, they may be liable when a violent act was preventable through reasonable security measures.
Courts often look at several factors when determining whether an apartment complex provided adequate security before a shooting event, including:
- A history of criminal activity at or near the property
- Recent police reports or tenant complaints about safety issues
- Whether management failed to implement reasonable safety measures
If an owner knew (or should have known) that an apartment shooting was likely and failed to provide security, they may be liable for resulting injuries to tenants and guests.
Who Can Be Held Liable for an Apartment Shooting?
The shooter is directly responsible for shooting injuries. However, liability can also extend to other parties who violated their duty to maintain a safe environment.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- Apartment complex owners
- Property management companies
- Security companies that failed to patrol or follow safety protocols
- Maintenance contractors that failed to fix broken gates, lighting, or locks
These parties often have insurance coverage and resources that the shooter does not, which increases your ability to recover compensation for a victim’s medical bills and other damages.
Common Security Failures at Apartment Complexes
Many apartment shootings occur due to security failures, meaning they could have possibly been prevented but for the property owner’s negligence in implementing safety measures.
Examples of negligent security may include:
- Broken security gates or entry systems allowing trespassers to enter
- Broken locks, doors, or fencing
- Poor lighting in parking lots, stairwells, or walkways
- Lack of surveillance cameras
- Inadequate security guards or patrols in high-crime areas
- Failure to respond to tenant complaints about safety issues
- Ignoring a known history of violent crime at the property
These security failures can create conditions where violent crimes such as robberies, assaults, or shootings become more likely.
What to Do After Being Shot at an Apartment Complex
A shooting can leave victims facing severe injuries and emotional trauma. Taking the right steps after the incident can help you protect your health and your legal claim. If you were injured in an apartment shooting, you should:
- Report the incident to law enforcement
- Seek medical treatment immediately
- Document the scene if possible, including photos of security failures
- Collect witness information from anyone who saw the incident
You should also contact an experienced negligent security lawyer in Houston for help understanding your rights.
How Our Texas Negligent Security Attorneys Can Help
An experienced negligent security attorney in Texas can investigate what happened and determine whether negligent property owners or managers contributed to the conditions that led to your shooting.
The attorneys at Hampton & King can help by:
- Investigating the property’s crime history and security practices
- Analyzing maintenance records, security contracts, and surveillance footage for negligence
- Interviewing witnesses and consulting security experts
- Identifying all parties who may share responsibility
- Calculating the full value of your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
- Fighting for compensation through insurance claims or litigation
If you or a loved one were injured in a shooting at a Houston apartment complex, the negligent security lawyers at Hampton & King can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free case consultation.