Oklahoma City Negligent Security Attorneys

Helping Victims of Preventable Crimes Take Action Against Negligent Property Owners

In Oklahoma, property owners have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are reasonably safe, and this extends to providing adequate security. Negligent security cases typically arise when a person is harmed—through assault, robbery, or other criminal acts—because the property owner failed to take appropriate measures to prevent foreseeable dangers.

If you’ve been the victim of a crime due to negligent security, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Fulmer Sill. We are here to help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (405) 433-7414 or contact us online for a free consultation.

What Is Negligent Security?

Negligent security occurs when a property owner fails to provide adequate measures to protect visitors or tenants from harm. This can involve insufficient lighting, lack of security personnel, broken or malfunctioning locks, inadequate surveillance, or failure to respond to previous criminal activity in the area.

For example, if you were assaulted in a poorly lit parking lot or an apartment complex with broken security gates, you may have grounds for a negligent security claim.

In order to hold a property owner accountable, you must establish that:

• The property owner had a responsibility to provide a reasonably safe environment and take steps to protect against foreseeable criminal activity;
• The property owner failed to meet this responsibility by not implementing reasonable security measures, such as installing cameras, providing security personnel, or fixing broken locks; 
• The lack of adequate security directly led to the incident, meaning the criminal act was preventable with proper security measures in place; and
• You suffered actual harm—whether physical injuries, emotional distress, or financial losses—due to the crime that occurred.

Examples of Negligent or Inadequate Security

In each of these scenarios, the key factor is whether the property owner had knowledge of the risk (or should have reasonably foreseen it) and failed to take appropriate security measures to protect visitors, tenants, or customers.

Inadequate Lighting in Parking Lots

Imagine you're walking to your car in a poorly lit parking lot outside a shopping center or apartment complex, and you're attacked by an assailant. The property owner knew, or should have known, that poor lighting in such areas increases the risk of criminal activity but failed to install or maintain sufficient lighting. This could be grounds for a negligent security claim.

Broken or Malfunctioning Security Gates

In a gated apartment complex, the entrance gate or door security system is broken and remains unrepaired for an extended period. As a result, a non-resident enters the premises and commits a crime, such as a robbery or assault. The failure to repair the gate, despite the foreseeable risk of unauthorized entry, may be considered negligent security.

Lack of Security Guards in High-Crime Areas

A nightclub or bar is located in an area with a known history of criminal activity, including assaults or fights. Despite this, the business fails to hire security personnel to monitor the premises or respond to potential threats. If a patron is injured during a violent altercation, the absence of adequate security staff could be seen as negligence.

Failure to Address Previous Incidents

A hotel has a history of thefts and assaults, but the management does nothing to improve security measures, such as adding surveillance cameras or hiring security guards. If another guest is injured as a result of a similar crime, the property owner could be held liable for not taking action to prevent further incidents.

Broken or Unlocked Entry Doors

An apartment complex has faulty locks on its main entry doors or doesn’t provide proper security for tenants. As a result, an intruder gains access to the building and commits a violent crime. The failure to maintain secure entryways could lead to a premises liability lawsuit for negligent security.

No Surveillance Cameras in Common Areas

A shopping mall or office building has no surveillance cameras in its parking garage, despite previous reports of car thefts or attacks. If a visitor is assaulted or robbed, the lack of reasonable surveillance measures in high-risk areas could form the basis of a negligent security claim.

Failure to Warn or Notify About Known Dangers

A hotel is aware of criminal activity in the surrounding area but fails to notify guests or provide enhanced security measures, such as additional patrols or restricted access during certain hours. If a guest is attacked, the hotel's failure to warn about potential dangers could be seen as negligence.

How Do I Prove My Case?

If you believe negligent security played a role in your injury, the first step is to gather evidence. This can include police reports, photos of the crime scene, witness statements, and records of previous incidents on the property.

When you work with our Oklahoma City negligent security lawyers at Fulmer Sill, we can conduct a thorough investigation, consult with security experts, and build a strong case to hold the property owner accountable.

However, time is critical. Oklahoma has a statute of limitations, generally two years from the date of the injury, to file a claim. Delaying action could jeopardize your ability to recover compensation.

You Deserve to Be Compensated for Your Injuries

Under Oklahoma premises liability law, you have the right to seek compensation for injuries caused by a property owner’s negligence, including inadequate security. Compensation may cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages.

Oklahoma follows the principle of comparative negligence, meaning your compensation can be reduced if you are found partially at fault for the incident. Therefore, it’s essential to have a negligent security attorney in OKC on your side to present a compelling case on your behalf.

Contact our team at Fulmer Sill today for a free consultation. You can reach us at (405) 433-7414 or send us a message online.