When property owners in Houston fail to provide adequate security, the consequences can be devastating. From assaults in poorly lit parking lots to robberies in understaffed apartment complexes, negligent security often results in serious harm to innocent victims.
If you’ve suffered an injury because a business or property owner didn’t take reasonable measures to keep you safe, you may have legal options. Call Hampton & King at (713) 489-0993 or complete our simple online form to schedule your free consultation with a Houston, TX negligent security attorney.
Common Injuries
Below are some of the most common injuries associated with negligent security claims in Houston and how they can impact victims physically, emotionally, and financially.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Violent assaults, muggings, or being struck during a robbery can lead to head injuries that cause a concussion or more serious traumatic brain injury. TBIs can result in memory loss, impaired cognition, personality changes, and long-term disability. Victims may require months or years of treatment, therapy, or round-the-clock care.
2. Gunshot and Stab Wounds
When a business fails to deter or respond to criminal activity, visitors or tenants may become victims of violent crime. Gunshot and stab wounds often occur in places with inadequate lighting, broken security gates, or a lack of security patrols. These injuries can be fatal or lead to permanent damage to internal organs, nerves, and limbs.
3. Broken Bones and Fractures
In an attack or robbery, victims may be pushed, thrown to the ground, or struck, causing fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or skull. These injuries can limit mobility, result in surgeries, and prevent a person from working for extended periods.
4. Facial Injuries and Scarring
Punches, kicks, or blunt force trauma during a violent incident may lead to broken noses, jaw fractures, eye injuries, or permanent scarring. These types of injuries can have a lasting impact on a person’s appearance and self-esteem, especially when the scars are visible and disfiguring.
5. Psychological Trauma
Not all injuries are visible. Victims of attacks, especially in places where they should have felt safe – like hotels, apartment buildings, or retail establishments – often suffer long-term emotional trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and insomnia are all common outcomes of violent events caused by inadequate security.
6. Soft Tissue Injuries
Even in less severe physical assaults, victims can suffer from sprains, strains, bruises, and muscle damage. While these may seem minor, they can still interfere with daily life, limit physical activity, and cause chronic pain if not properly treated.
What Causes These Injuries?
These injuries often stem from property owners neglecting their duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Examples include:
- Lack of functioning security cameras
- Poor lighting in stairwells and parking lots
- Inadequate locks or fencing
- Failure to hire security personnel in high-crime areas
- Ignoring prior incidents or criminal activity
When a property owner knows (or should know) that their property is at risk for criminal activity and does nothing to prevent it, they may be held liable under Texas premises liability laws.
Your Legal Rights Matter
You may have grounds for a negligent security claim if you’ve been injured on someone else’s property because they failed to provide adequate security. These cases can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional suffering, and more.Hampton & King is here to help you understand your rights and fight for the justice you deserve. Call us today at (713) 489-0993 or complete our simple online form to schedule your free consultation.