You walked into a parking garage, apartment complex, or shopping center expecting to be safe. Instead, you were attacked. Now you are dealing with physical injuries, hospital bills, and the emotional weight of something that never should have happened.
When a property owner fails to provide adequate security measures, innocent people pay the price. That is negligent security, a form of premises liability under Texas law that holds owners accountable for foreseeable criminal acts they could have prevented.
At The Pabst Law Firm, we represent assault victims across Austin who were hurt because a property owner knew about dangerous conditions and did nothing. If you were attacked on someone else’s property due to broken gates, missing surveillance cameras, or inadequate lighting, we want to hear from you.
Call us at (512) 642-2676 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We will review your negligent security case at no cost to you.
What Is a Negligent Security Claim?
A negligent security claim is a premises liability case that applies when a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal activity. The legal question is specific: Did the owner know, or should the owner have known, that criminal activity was a realistic threat on the property, and did they fail to act on that knowledge?
This is not about whether a property was generally “unsafe.” It is about whether the owner had reason to expect the kind of attack that occurred and neglected the security measures that could have prevented it. Examples include broken gates or locks that allowed unauthorized access, the absence of surveillance cameras in high-traffic or high-risk areas, inadequate lighting in stairwells, walkways, or parking structures, failure to employ security personnel despite a documented history of crime on the premises, and ignoring tenant or visitor complaints about prior threatening incidents.
These failures create openings for criminal acts that a responsible owner would have worked to prevent. Our Austin negligent security attorneys hold those owners accountable.
Where Negligent Security Cases Arise in Austin
Austin is growing fast, and with that growth comes increased criminal activity at commercial and residential properties. We have handled negligent security cases involving locations across the city.
Apartment Complexes
Many apartment assaults happen in areas with broken gates, poor lighting, or no security presence. Property owners managing large complexes along Riverside Drive and the East Austin corridors have a responsibility to address known safety problems. When prior incidents have been reported and the owner still fails to fix broken access points or install adequate lighting, that failure is the basis of a negligent security claim.
Parking Garages and Lots
Downtown Austin parking garages near Sixth Street see heavy foot traffic, especially on weekends. An owner who does not maintain working cameras, adequate lighting, and controlled access in these structures creates foreseeable risk for every person who parks there.
Shopping Centers and Gas Stations
Retail properties, shopping center lots, and gas stations along major corridors like South Lamar and North Lamar are common sites for violent crime. Commercial property owners who are aware of prior criminal incidents in and around their premises must take reasonable security measures to protect customers.
Hotels and Entertainment Venues
From South Congress to the Domain, Austin’s hospitality industry draws large crowds. When hotel operators and venue owners cut corners on security staffing, camera coverage, or access control to save money, guests and visitors face real danger.
How We Prove a Negligent Security Case
Winning a negligent security case requires proving a clear chain: the owner had reason to know about a security risk, failed to address it, and that failure was a substantial factor in making the criminal act possible. Our team builds that proof from day one.
To establish liability, we show that the property owner owed a duty to provide reasonable security, that prior incidents or area crime data gave the owner actual or constructive knowledge of the risk, that the owner failed to take steps a reasonable owner would have taken, that a criminal act occurred because of the inadequate security, and that you suffered injuries and losses as a direct result.
We gather police reports, local crime statistics, maintenance and security records, and any available surveillance footage. We look closely at whether the owner received prior complaints about criminal activity or security failures and chose to ignore them. This detail-driven approach is what separates effective negligent security litigation from generic premises liability claims.
Texas Premises Liability Law and Your Rights
Under Texas premises liability law, property owners owe different duties of care depending on whether you are an invitee, licensee, or trespasser. Most negligent security victims are invitees, people lawfully present at a business, apartment complex, or other property. Invitees receive the highest level of protection under the law.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover compensation. Insurance companies will try to shift blame onto you, which is why working with an experienced attorney matters from the start.
The statute of limitations for a premises liability claim in Texas is generally two years from the date of injury. Waiting too long means losing your right to seek compensation entirely.
Our Austin premises liability attorneys understand these rules and how to apply them in your favor. We handle the legal strategy so you can focus on recovery.
Damages You Can Recover in a Negligent Security Case
When a property owner’s negligence leads to an assault, the financial and personal toll can be devastating. You should not have to absorb those costs alone.
Victims of negligent security may recover compensation for medical expenses, including future treatment costs for ongoing care; hospital bills from emergency and follow-up care; lost wages and reduced earning capacity; physical pain and emotional distress; and, in cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages.
Every negligent security case is different. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and the negligent party’s resources. We fight for a fair settlement, but we are fully prepared to pursue a jury verdict if the insurance company refuses to offer reasonable compensation.
What Makes Our Negligent Security Practice Different
We are not a billboard firm that signs up hundreds of cases and hands yours off to a paralegal. The Pabst Law Firm is family-run by Frank and Nicky Pabst, and we intentionally keep our caseload limited so every client gets direct attorney access.
When you call us, you talk to us. That is the standard here.
Our approach to negligent security claims starts with your recovery. We connect you with the right doctors and make sure your treatment comes first. From there, we build a coverage strategy around your case, working to determine liability and maximize your financial recovery.
We are bilingual in English and Spanish, and we serve clients across Austin and Central Texas.
(512) 641-2676