Most negligent security cases take anywhere from several months to two or more years to resolve, depending on how quickly liability can be established and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. There is no single timeline that fits every case, but there are factors that influence the overall length.
The Length Can Depend on the Type of Case
In Texas, negligent security claims arise from a wide range of incidents, and the type of case often affects how long it takes to resolve.
Common negligent security cases include:
- Assaults or shootings in apartment complexes or parking lots
- Attacks at hotels, motels, or short-term rentals
- Assaults at bars, nightclubs, or concert venues
- Robberies or assaults at retail stores or shopping centers
- Sexual assaults on poorly secured properties
- Assaults on college campuses or in student housing
A straightforward case with a single clear security failure (e.g., a broken gate or a non-functioning camera the property knew about) may resolve faster than a case involving a violent crime featuring a parallel criminal investigation.
Other Factors That Affect the Timeline
Beyond the type of incident, several other factors influence how long a negligent security case takes to resolve.
The Severity of the Injury
Cases should not settle before the injured person reaches maximum medical improvement, the point at which a victim’s condition has stabilized enough to fully assess long-term damages. Catastrophic injuries can take longer to value accurately and may extend the timeline before a fair settlement is reached.
The Claims Process
Most cases begin with a pre-suit investigation and negotiation phase. Your attorney gathers evidence, such as camera footage, prior incident reports, and security records, and typically sends a demand letter to the property owner’s insurer.
If the insurer accepts responsibility and offers a fair settlement, a case can resolve in a matter of months. If the insurer disputes liability or undervalues the claim, the case will move toward litigation, which can extend the timeline.
Court Stages
Once a lawsuit is filed, a case generally moves through several stages. Discovery is where both sides exchange evidence and take depositions. This stage alone often takes six months to a year, particularly in cases involving a criminal investigation or multiple potentially liable parties.
Pretrial motions can also add length to a case before trial. And cases that proceed to trial always take the longest, with resolutions usually taking a year or more.
Court backlogs, expert witness scheduling, and the complexity of proving the property owner knew or should have known about the security risk can all complicate the timeline.
An Attorney Can Keep Your Case Moving
Delays are common in negligent security cases, but an experienced attorney can help minimize them. A lawyer can move quickly to preserve time-sensitive evidence like surveillance footage and prepare the case for litigation early so it is ready to proceed without unnecessary delay if a fair settlement is not offered.
If you were injured due to inadequate security, an experienced negligent security attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand a realistic timeline for your specific situation. Call (713) 352-7214 Hampton & King for a free consultation to learn more.