Crime Victim Questions · Answered

Can I Sue My Apartment Complex For a Shooting?

Often, yes. If you were shot at an apartment complex that failed to provide reasonable security — broken gates, no lighting, no guards, or a history of ignored crime — you may be able to sue the complex and its management for negligent security. It does not matter whether the shooter was a resident, a guest, or a stranger.

Crime victim attorney Michael A. Haggard
$102.7M record verdict

What makes an apartment complex liable

Apartment owners owe residents and guests a duty to take reasonable steps to keep the property safe. A complex becomes liable when a shooting was foreseeable — usually because of prior crime — and it failed to provide the security a reasonable owner would: working gates and locks, adequate lighting, cameras, and guards where needed.

Evidence that builds these cases

The complex’s prior crime history and police-call records, broken security equipment, and management’s own knowledge are often the heart of the case. This evidence disappears quickly, so acting fast matters.

What you may recover

Medical and lifetime care, lost income, and pain and suffering — and a wrongful-death recovery if a loved one was killed. The firm has obtained results including a $16 million apartment-shooting settlement. No fee unless we win.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sue if I was shot by another tenant?

Yes — the claim is about the complex's failure to provide reasonable security, not who fired the shot. Whether the shooter was a tenant, guest, or stranger does not bar the case.

What if my lease says the complex isn't responsible for crime?

Such clauses often do not shield a landlord from liability for its own negligence. Don't assume you have no case based on lease language — let us review it.