Why apartment complexes are the most common negligent-security cases
Apartment complexes invite residents and guests onto their property and, in return, owe a duty to take reasonable steps to keep them safe. When a complex has a history of crime and cuts corners on security, tenants pay the price. These are among the most common — and most winnable — negligent-security cases.
Common security failures at apartment complexes
- Broken or propped-open entry gates and perimeter fencing
- Broken locks on units, mailrooms, stairwells, and common doors
- Dark or unlit parking lots, breezeways, and walkways
- Promised security guards or patrols that didn’t exist
- Broken or unmonitored cameras and call boxes
- A known history of shootings or break-ins management ignored
Who can be held responsible?
Depending on the facts, you may be able to hold accountable the property owner, the management company, and any security company hired to protect the complex.
What these cases are worth
Apartment-shooting injuries are often catastrophic. Claims can recover medical care, lifetime care, lost income, and pain and suffering — and, in fatal cases, a wrongful-death recovery for the family. The firm has obtained results including a $16 million settlement in a Jacksonville apartment shooting and an $8 million settlement for a young man killed at a complex.
Act quickly to preserve evidence
Apartment surveillance footage and crime-call records can disappear within days. The sooner a lawyer can secure them, the stronger your case. There’s no fee unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue my apartment complex if I was shot by another resident or a stranger?
Possibly. The claim isn't about who pulled the trigger — it's about whether the complex failed to provide reasonable security against a foreseeable risk. If it did, the owner and management may be liable regardless of who the shooter was.
What if management says the crime 'wasn't their fault'?
That's their position, not the law. If the complex had prior crime and ignored obvious security failures, a court can find it shares responsibility. Let us evaluate the property's history.
How much does it cost to sue an apartment complex?
Nothing up front. We handle these cases on a contingency fee — no attorney's fees unless we win.