Negligent Security Attorney Los Angeles

Property owners have a duty to maintain safe conditions. When they fail to do so — by ignoring security problems or letting a dangerous condition go unrepaired — people can be seriously hurt. Cohen Law Group represents people across California injured on someone else's property, including victims of assaults where security was inadequate and people hurt in serious slip and falls.

These are premises liability claims, and they are often hard-fought. Property owners and their insurers may dispute what they knew and whether the harm could have been prevented. Our litigation-first approach means every case is evaluated as if it may go to trial, with the factual record built early.

What is negligent security?

Negligent security claims arise when someone is assaulted, robbed, or otherwise attacked on a property where the owner or manager did not take reasonable steps to keep people safe. The attacker is responsible for the crime — but the property owner may also share responsibility when inadequate security made the attack possible.

Whether a claim exists depends on the circumstances, including what the owner knew about prior problems at the property and what reasonable precautions were available. Common security failures include:

• Broken or missing locks, gates, and access controls
• Poor lighting in parking areas, stairwells, and walkways
• Missing, broken, or unmonitored security cameras
• No security staff, or too few guards for the property
• Ignored complaints or warnings about prior incidents

Where negligent security incidents happen

• Apartment complexes and residential buildings
• Parking garages and parking lots
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping centers and retail stores
• Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues
• Office buildings, gas stations, and convenience stores

Slip and fall and dangerous property conditions

Premises liability also covers injuries caused by the property itself. Falls can cause serious harm — including brain injuries, spinal injuries, and severe orthopedic injuries. Dangerous conditions include:

• Wet or slippery floors with no warning
• Uneven walkways, broken stairs, or missing handrails
• Poor lighting that hides hazards
• Debris or obstructions in walkways
• Inadequate maintenance or repairs

Not every fall leads to a claim. Courts look at whether the owner owed and breached a duty of care, the extent and cause of the injuries, medical evidence and expert testimony, and the impact on your life and ability to work.

Who may be responsible

More than one party may share responsibility for an unsafe property. Depending on the circumstances, that can include:

• Property owners
• Property management companies
• Businesses that lease or operate the property
• Security companies hired to protect the property
• Maintenance contractors
• Government entities, for injuries on public property

Claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines — sometimes as little as six months.

The evidence that matters

Early investigation and strong evidence are critical. Some of the most important evidence is in the property owner's hands and may not be kept long:

• Surveillance video, which may be recorded over quickly
• Incident reports and police reports
• Records of prior incidents and complaints at the property
• Maintenance and repair logs
• Photos of the condition or security failure
• Witness names and statements

Compensation for premises injuries

Economic damages can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and rehabilitation and long-term care costs. Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Family members may also recover for loss of consortium, emotional distress, or financial impact caused by the injury.

Why Cohen Law Group for negligent security and premises cases

• Courtroom experience. Associate Counsel Susan Peterson conducted more than 70 jury trials as a prosecutor with the Contra Costa and Denver District Attorney's Offices, and has spent two decades in private practice, including personal injury work.
• Property and liability experience. Senior Counsel Joyce H. Ma's practice includes real estate disputes and general liability matters in both state and federal courts.
• Complex tort litigation. Founder Jordan M. Cohen focused on complex tort litigation as an associate and partner at Levine, Steinberg & Miller, and later personally managed trials and case strategy at his own firm for ten years.

Client reviews and past outcomes do not guarantee a similar result in your matter.

What to do now

• Get medical care and keep every record and bill.
• Report the incident to the property owner or manager, and to police if you were attacked. Ask for a copy of any report.
• Photograph the condition, the area, and your injuries before anything changes.
• Speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to the property owner’s insurer.
• Act quickly. Most California injury claims must be filed within two years of the injury.

California follows pure comparative negligence: even if you share some of the fault, you may still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault.

Talk with an attorney about a negligent security or premises injury

Consultations are free and confidential, with no obligation and no pressure. Call (310) 747-1883 to speak directly with an attorney, or request a consultation online. Hablamos español. Attorney Jordan Cohen speaks Spanish and can meet with you in Spanish. For an overview of the injury cases we handle, visit our personal injury practice.

Catastrophic injury cases are prepared for trial by attorneys with decades in California courtrooms. Read our client FAQ or see how we approach results.