TODD E. WEBB, ESQ.

NEGLIGENT SECURITY LAWYER IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS | TODD E. WEBB ESQ.

Property owners throughout Harris County have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, tenants, and customers from foreseeable criminal activity on their premises. Texas courts have made clear that when inadequate security measures contribute to assaults, robberies, or other violent crimes, injured individuals may pursue a negligent security claim under Texas premises liability law, particularly when prior criminal activity puts the property owner on notice of potential dangers.

If you were harmed because a property owner failed to provide reasonable security, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, financial losses, and emotional trauma.

Understanding Negligent Security Under Texas Law

Negligent security is a form of premises liability that arises when a property owner fails to implement reasonable security measures, and that failure contributes to a criminal act occurring on the property. Texas law does not require property owners to guarantee safety, but it does require them to take reasonable precautions when criminal conduct is foreseeable.

Foreseeability is evaluated using standards established by the Texas Supreme Court, including consideration of prior similar crimes, their frequency and proximity, and the nature of the property itself. These factors are commonly analyzed in negligent security cases involving apartment complexes, parking facilities, hotels, and commercial properties.

Harris County includes densely populated urban areas such as Houston, where crime data published by the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office documents patterns of violent and property crime in certain neighborhoods. In areas with a known history of criminal activity, property owners may be expected to implement enhanced security measures, such as adequate lighting, access controls, and monitoring systems, to meet their duty of care.

Common Types of Negligent Security and Premises Liability Claims

Negligent security is one of several ways a property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises can result in serious injuries. In Harris County, these claims often arise from both criminal activity and dangerous property conditions created or worsened by inadequate security, including:

Assault and Violent Attacks: When property owners fail to provide adequate lighting, working locks, access controls, or trained security personnel, they may create an environment where assaults and batteries are more likely to occur. These incidents frequently happen in apartment complexes, parking garages, and commercial properties with known safety concerns.
Robbery and Armed Robbery: Poor security in parking lots, convenience stores, retail centers, and multi-family housing can make residents and visitors vulnerable to robberies. A lack of surveillance cameras, visible security presence, or controlled access often plays a role in these incidents.
Sexual Assault: Hotels, apartment complexes, and similar properties have a heightened duty to protect tenants and guests in common areas, hallways, stairwells, and parking facilities. Inadequate lighting, broken locks, or unsecured entrances can contribute to preventable sexual assaults.
Slip and Fall Accidents Linked to Inadequate Security: Negligent security can also contribute to slip and fall injuries, a common form of premises liability. Examples include poorly lit walkways that hide uneven pavement, stairwells without proper lighting or handrails, unlocked doors that allow unauthorized individuals to damage property, or neglected areas where hazards go unnoticed due to a lack of monitoring or patrols.

When a property owner’s failure to provide reasonable security allows dangerous conditions to persist, resulting in slip and fall injuries, these injuries may be just as actionable as injuries caused by criminal acts.

Where Negligent Security Incidents Occur in Harris County

Negligent security claims commonly arise at the following locations:

Apartment Complexes: Texas Property Code requires landlords to provide certain security devices, including keyed deadbolts, window latches, and sliding door security mechanisms. In higher-crime areas of Harris County, reasonable care may also require additional protections such as controlled access gates, adequate lighting, and functioning surveillance cameras.
Parking Lots and Parking Garages: Poor lighting, limited visibility, and a lack of security patrols make parking facilities frequent locations for assaults and robberies throughout Houston and Harris County.
Bars and Nightclubs: Alcohol service and late-night hours increase the risk of violent incidents. Owners may be liable for failing to provide trained security personnel, proper crowd control, or effective monitoring systems.
Hotels, Retail Centers, and Office Buildings: Security expectations vary based on property size, location, prior incidents, and usage. Properties with a known history of criminal activity may be required to implement more robust safety measures.

How Crime History and Location Impact Negligent Security Claims in Harris County

In Texas negligent security cases, location matters. Property owners in Harris County are expected to evaluate the surrounding environment and adjust security measures accordingly. Courts routinely examine whether crime in the immediate vicinity made a violent incident foreseeable and whether the property owner took reasonable steps in response. Areas with higher population density, late-night activity, or prior reports of criminal behavior often require more robust security precautions. For example, properties located near major roadways, public transit hubs, entertainment districts, or commercial corridors may experience increased foot traffic and elevated crime risks, which can heighten a property owner’s duty of care. Importantly, foreseeability does not require an identical prior crime. A pattern of related criminal activity—such as thefts, robberies, assaults, or disturbances—can be enough to put a property owner on notice that additional security is necessary.

Security Measures Property Owners Are Expected to Evaluate

Depending on the property’s location and crime history, reasonable security measures may include:

Adequate lighting in parking areas, walkways, stairwells, and entrances.
Functional locks, gates, and access controls.
Surveillance cameras that are properly installed, monitored, and maintained.
On-site security guards or patrols during high-risk hours.
Clear sightlines and trimmed landscaping to eliminate hiding places.
Policies for monitoring loitering and unauthorized access.

Failure to evaluate and update security protocols—especially after prior incidents—can expose property owners to liability when preventable crimes occur.

What to Do After a Security-Related Injury in Harris County

If you are injured due to inadequate security in Harris County:

Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries are not immediately obvious.
Report the incident to law enforcement and obtain a police report.
Document the scene with photos or videos showing poor lighting, broken locks, or missing security features.
Speak with an attorney promptly, as Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on negligent security claims.

Failing to act within this time frame can permanently bar your claim.

Why Choose the Law Office of Todd E. Webb for Your Negligent Security Claim?

Todd E. Webb, Esq. founded his personal injury practice in 2007 after leaving a nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm. A Houston native, Mr. Webb attended Kinkaid High School and earned his law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University.

Mr. Webb is committed to holding property owners, corporations, and insurance companies accountable when they put profits over people. He takes a personal interest in every client’s case and works tirelessly to pursue full and fair compensation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HARRIS COUNTY NEGLIGENT SECURITY CASES

How long do I have to file a negligent security claim in Harris County?
Texas law generally provides two years from the date of injury to file a claim.
What if I was partially at fault?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. You may still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault, though compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
How is “adequate security” determined?
Courts consider location, prior crimes, surrounding crime statistics, property type, and industry standards.
Will my case go to trial?
Most negligent security cases settle, but Mr. Webb prepares every case as if it will go to trial.

Speak With a Harris County Negligent Security Lawyer at the Law Office of Todd E. Webb Today

Negligent security claims are time-sensitive. If you were injured at an apartment complex, parking garage, hotel, bar, or other property due to inadequate security, legal help is available. Contact a Harris County negligence security lawyer today.

CALL 832-529-4410 OR COMPLETE OUR ONLINE FORM.
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