A school’s duty to keep students safe
Colleges and universities control dorms, parking, walkways, and campus buildings, and they invite students to live and study there. That control carries a duty to provide reasonable security — particularly where the school knows of prior assaults, break-ins, or violence.
Common campus security failures
- Dorm and building access control that is broken or unenforced
- Inadequate lighting on walkways, lots, and between buildings
- Too few campus security officers or slow emergency response
- Failure to warn students about a known threat or pattern of crime
- Negligently maintained locks, cameras, and emergency call stations
On-campus vs. off-campus housing
Liability can involve the university, a private student-housing operator, or both. We determine who controlled the property and its security where the harm occurred.
What these cases can recover
Claims can recover medical and psychological care, lost academic and earning opportunity, and trauma damages, with wrongful-death recovery for grieving families. No fee unless we win.
Frequently asked questions
Can a college be sued if a student is assaulted in a dorm?
Possibly. If the school's access control or security was inadequate and the assault was foreseeable, the university or the housing operator may be liable.
Does this cover off-campus student apartments?
Yes. Private student-housing complexes owe the same negligent-security duty as any apartment complex, and may be sued separately from the university.
What does it cost?
Nothing up front. We handle these cases on contingency — no fee unless we win.