Can I sue for being shot or stabbed in Seattle?
Often, yes. If you were shot or stabbed on a Seattle property — an apartment complex, bar or nightclub, parking garage, store, hotel, or transit stop — and the owner failed to provide the reasonable security a foreseeable risk called for, Washington law may let you hold that owner financially responsible through a negligent-security claim. You are not suing for the crime itself; you are suing the property owner for the security failures that made a foreseeable attack possible. This is separate from any criminal case against the attacker.
Seattle negligent-security law — the short version
Seattle cases are governed by Washington law. Washington owners must protect invitees from reasonably foreseeable third-party crime, usually shown by prior similar incidents (Nivens). A negligent-security lawsuit here is generally filed in the King County Superior Court (King County). For the full Washington standard — deadlines, how fault is shared, and what you can recover — see our Washington negligent security page.
Public safety in Seattle
Overall crime in Seattle fell sharply in 2025, with declines across major categories including homicide and aggravated assault, and downtown violent crime dropped to its lowest summer level in years. The city still identifies persistent hot spots, and a negligent-security case rests on the record of prior crime at the specific property rather than on citywide trends.
Where these cases happen in Seattle
In Seattle, these claims commonly arise along the downtown core and Third Avenue corridor, in Belltown and the Capitol Hill/Pike-Pine nightlife district, near the Chinatown-International District, and at transit hubs and light-rail stations. Common property types are bars, nightclubs and after-hours lounges, apartment and condo complexes, parking garages and lots, transit stations, and convenience stores and retail.
Good to know in Seattle
A Seattle negligent-security case is filed in the King County Superior Court. Seattle regulates nightlife-venue safety under its Nightclub Safety Code (Municipal Code Ch. 10.11), and a 2025 ordinance now requires after-hours lounges to provide security personnel, video surveillance, weapons screening, and a written safety plan — standards that can define what reasonable security looks like for late-night venues.
Deadlines for a Seattle case
- Negligence / personal injury: generally three years from the date of the incident from the date of the incident.
- Wrongful death: generally three years from the date of death.
Surveillance footage and other evidence disappear quickly, so it is important to act fast.
Why Seattle victims choose The Haggard Law Firm
The firm has handled nearly 500 negligent-security cases nationwide and secured the largest negligent-security verdict in U.S. history ($102.7 million). We help Seattle crime victims and their families with no fee unless we win.
How we handle a Washington case — working with local counsel
The Haggard Law Firm is based in Coral Gables, Florida, and Michael A. Haggard is licensed to practice law in Florida. Mr. Haggard is not licensed in Washington. Negligent security and crime-victim litigation is the firm’s core focus, and because of the national reputation the firm has built in this specific area, Mr. Haggard regularly works on Washington cases as co-counsel with a locally licensed Washington attorney, seeking admission pro hac vice (for the individual case) where the court’s rules permit. Any Washington matter would be handled together with local counsel admitted in Washington.
If you were shot, stabbed, or lost a loved one to a preventable crime in Washington, you can still reach out to us directly. We will review your case for free and, where appropriate, associate with a qualified Washington attorney to pursue it.
This page is attorney advertising and general information only; it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Michael A. Haggard is licensed in Florida. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sue for being shot in Seattle?
Often, yes. If you were shot on a Seattle property that failed to provide reasonable security against a foreseeable risk, you may be able to sue the property owner for negligent security — separately from any criminal case against the shooter. A free case review will tell you if you have a claim.
Where do I file a negligent-security lawsuit in Seattle?
A Seattle negligent-security case is generally filed in the King County Superior Court (King County), under Washington law.
How long do I have to sue in Seattle?
Under Washington law, generally three years from the date of the incident from the incident for a negligence claim and three years from the date of death for wrongful death. Confirm your specific deadline with a lawyer quickly.
Is Michael Haggard licensed to practice in Washington?
Mr. Haggard is licensed in Florida, not in Washington. Because negligent-security litigation is his firm's core focus and the firm has a national profile in these cases, he regularly serves as co-counsel with a locally licensed Washington attorney and, where the court permits, appears pro hac vice for the individual case. You can contact the firm directly, and where appropriate it will associate with qualified local counsel in Washington.
What does it cost to hire the firm?
Nothing up front. We work on contingency — no attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you.