As a New Yorker, you may love living in our great city, but like every city, NYC has its flaws and dangers. While we can’t protect ourselves from every harm, a person has the right to expect reasonable safety when entering an apartment building, workplace, hotel, retail store, parking garage, or other property in New York City. When property owners fail to take reasonable steps to protect visitors, tenants, employees, or customers from foreseeable criminal activity, innocent people can suffer serious injuries.
At Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys represent individuals who have suffered an injury in assaults and other violent incidents caused by inadequate security measures. Our firm works to determine whether a property owner failed to address known dangers, ignored safety concerns, or failed to provide appropriate security measures.
What is a Negligent Security Injury?
Property owners and managers in New York have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe premises. This responsibility may include addressing foreseeable risks of criminal activity, particularly when a property owner knows or should know that similar incidents have occurred in the area or on the property.
Negligent security cases often involve situations where a property owner failed to take reasonable precautions, such as:
- Failing to maintain adequate lighting in parking areas, stairwells, or walkways
- Ignoring broken locks, security gates, or access systems
- Failing to provide appropriate security personnel where needed
- Neglecting known safety concerns reported by tenants or visitors
- Failing to monitor areas where prior crimes have occurred
Every case depends on the specific facts surrounding the property, the circumstances of the assault, and whether the owner took reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable risks.
Where Your Injury Happened Matters
Negligent security cases are often brought against private parties, but in NYC, there are numerous public spaces where the City government is responsible for protecting its citizens. The process for seeking damages in a negligent security case differs drastically when a property is owned or controlled by the City.
In this case, you would file your claim with the NYC Comptroller. If you were assaulted in a subway station or on other public transit, you would be filing a claim with the NYC Transit Authority, MTA Bus Company, or other City transit authorities. For cases of negligent security in an NYC public hospital or medical center, the process is again different, and a claim would be filed with the NYC Health + Hospitals Office of the Inspector General.
What Evidence is Important in a Negligent Security Case?
Successful negligent security claims require a careful review of the facts. Important evidence may include:
- Police reports and incident records
- Security camera footage
- Maintenance records
- Prior crime reports involving the property
- Witness statements
- Building policies and security procedures
- Correspondence between tenants, clients, or others reporting concerns to building management
You Need a New York City Negligent Security Assault Injury Lawyer
If you were assaulted because a property owner failed to maintain reasonable security, Lipsig, Freund & Wisell, PLLC can help you get the compensation you deserve and hold those responsible accountable. During your free consultation, our team will review the circumstances of your injury, explain the claims process, and help you determine the next steps toward seeking compensation. Call us today at (212) 285-3300 to schedule.