Inadequate Security Claims | Arizona Premises Liability Lawyer

Inadequate Security

Victim of a Crime Due to Inadequate Security in Arizona? You May Have a Claim

Property owners and businesses in Arizona have a legal responsibility to take reasonable measures to protect visitors, residents, and employees from foreseeable criminal acts. When they fail to provide adequate security, and someone becomes the victim of an assault, robbery, sexual assault, or other crime on their premises, the property owner or business may be held liable for the resulting harm. This is known as negligent security. AZ Law Now Injury Attorneys is dedicated to helping victims of crime recover compensation when inadequate security was a contributing factor. You should not have to bear the burden of an injury or loss that could have been prevented with proper security measures.

What is Inadequate Security (Negligent Security)?

Inadequate security, or negligent security, is a form of premises liability. It occurs when a property owner, manager, or operator fails to implement reasonable security measures to protect people from foreseeable criminal activities on their property, and this failure directly leads to someone being victimized.
The key elements to establish a negligent security claim in Arizona typically include:

Duty: The property owner/operator had a duty to provide reasonable security based on the circumstances.
Foreseeability: The criminal act was foreseeable. This means the property owner knew or should have known about a risk of similar crimes occurring on or near the premises. Evidence of foreseeability can include prior similar incidents on the property or in the immediate vicinity, high crime rates in the area, the nature of the business (e.g., bars, ATMs, businesses open late), or direct threats.
Breach of Duty: The property owner failed to provide adequate security measures (breached their duty). This is determined by what a reasonable property owner would have done under similar circumstances.
Causation: This failure to provide adequate security was a substantial factor in causing the victim’s injuries or losses. The crime would likely not have occurred, or the harm would have been less severe, if reasonable security had been in place.
Damages: The victim suffered actual harm (physical injuries, emotional trauma, financial losses).

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Where Can Inadequate Security Claims Arise?

Negligent security can occur in many locations, including:

Apartment complexes, condominiums, and residential buildings
Hotels, motels, and resorts
Shopping malls, retail stores, and grocery stores
Restaurants, bars, and nightclubs
Parking garages, parking lots, and valet services
ATMs and banks
Office buildings and workplaces
College campuses, dormitories, and schools
Hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities
Concert venues, sports arenas, and entertainment complexes
Gas stations and convenience stores
Public parks and recreational areas (if managed by an entity with security responsibilities)

Examples of Inadequate Security Measures

Poor or non-existent lighting in parking lots, stairwells, hallways, alleys, or common areas.
Broken or missing locks on doors, windows, gates, or security fences.
Lack of security cameras (CCTV) or non-functional/unmonitored cameras in critical areas.
Absence of security guards, insufficient security personnel, or poorly trained/equipped guards where the risk of crime warrants their presence (e.g., at bars, nightclubs, large apartment complexes, shopping malls, special events).
Failure to properly train security staff or other employees on security protocols and emergency response.
Lack of access control systems (e.g., allowing unauthorized individuals into restricted areas of apartment buildings, hotels, or office buildings).
Failure to respond to known security threats, warnings from tenants/patrons, or previous incidents.
Inadequate emergency communication systems (e.g., no working call boxes in large parking structures).
Overgrown landscaping or poorly maintained property that provides hiding places for criminals or obstructs views.
Failure to have or enforce security policies and procedures.

What to Do If You Are a Victim of Crime Due to Suspected Inadequate Security

Ensure Your Immediate Safety and Call 911:

Report the crime to the police immediately. Your safety is the top priority.

Seek Prompt Medical Attention:

Get medical care for any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem at first. This creates an important medical record. For sexual assault, a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) exam can provide specialized care and collect vital evidence.

Preserve Evidence:

Note the conditions of the area where the crime occurred
(lighting, locks, presence/absence of cameras or guards,
overgrown landscaping, etc.).
If possible and safe, take photographs or videos of the scene,
focusing on any security lapses.
Keep any clothing or items involved in the incident without
washing them, stored in a paper bag.

Report the Incident to Property Management:

Inform the owner, manager, or landlord of the property about the crime. Request a copy of any incident report they create.

Obtain a Copy of the Police Report:

once it is available.

Document Your Losses and Injuries:

Keep records of medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, and any emotional distress.

Gather Witness Information:

If anyone else saw the crime or noticed security issues, try to get their names and contact information.

Contact AZ Law Now Injury Attorneys:

An experienced negligent security attorney can investigate whether inadequate security contributed to the crime
and help you pursue a claim against the property owner or business. Do this before giving detailed statements to the property’s insurance
adjusters.

Harm Suffered by Victims of Crime Due to Negligent Security

Victims can suffer devastating and life-altering consequences:

Physical injuries from assault, battery, robbery, or sexual assault (e.g., gunshot wounds, stab wounds, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries).
Sexual assault and rape, leading to profound physical and psychological trauma.
Emotional and psychological trauma, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, fear, and sleep disturbances.
Loss of property, money, or valuable possessions.
Wrongful death, leaving families devastated.

Statute of Limitations in Arizona

Generally, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit based on inadequate security (premises liability) in Arizona is two years from the date of the criminal incident that caused the injury (A.R.S. § 12-542).

Claims Against Government Entities: If the crime occurred on
public property (e.g., a city park, government building) due to
negligent security by a government entity, a Notice of Claim must be filed with the responsible government body within 180 days of the injury. Following that, a lawsuit must typically be filed within one year of the injury. These deadlines are strict and missing them can bar your claim.

How AZ Law Now Injury Attorneys Can Help

Proving an inadequate security claim requires demonstrating that the crime was foreseeable to the property owner and that their failure to implement reasonable security measures was a direct cause of your harm. AZ Law Now Injury Attorneys will:

Provide a free, confidential consultation to discuss your case and your rights.
Thoroughly investigate the crime, the property where it occurred, and the security measures that were (or were not) in place.
Analyze crime statistics for the area and any history of prior incidents on the property to help establish foreseeability.
Work with security experts, if necessary, to assess the adequacy of the security measures and identify deficiencies.
Fight to hold negligent property owners and businesses accountable for the harm you suffered.
Aggressively pursue full compensation for your physical injuries, medical expenses (past and future), lost income, emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Hold Negligent Property Owners Accountable. Contact AZ Law Now

You don’t have to suffer alone if a property owner’s failure to provide reasonable security made you a victim of crime. Contact AZ Law Now to explore your legal options and seek the justice you deserve.