Chicago Negligent Security Lawyer

Seek Compensation for Injuries Caused by Inadequate Security

Our Chicago negligent security lawyer team has experience holding landlords, businesses, and property owners accountable for inadequate security.

When you enter a business, venue, or other property in Chicago, you are putting your safety in someone else’s hands. You expect that the landlord, property owner, or business has taken steps to promote safety in that space.

These entities must also provide adequate security measures to prevent assaults, robberies, other criminal acts, and crowd control. If you get hurt in one of these scenarios, Chicago Injury Center can help you pursue compensation.

We can investigate your accident, assess legal damages, gather evidence, and fight for fair compensation. Whether you were injured at Millennium Park during a concert or in a local grocery store, our legal team will support your case against the property owner or responsible entity.

Negligent Security Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Law Firm in Chicago

Property owners, event organizers, and landlords must take reasonable security measures to protect their patrons. Chicago Injury Center has worked on many negligent security claims, so we know what it takes to secure a settlement.

Here are some past negligent security cases we have handled:

$7.5 million – Maria’s family reached a $7.5M settlement after she was fatally shot by an intruder who entered her South Shore apartment complex. The building had a long history of broken locks and inadequate security personnel, which significantly impacted the case value.

$6.35 million – In River North, Danielle was attacked in a parking garage that had a record of prior incidents. Despite warnings, the owners failed to install cameras or proper lighting. The $6.35M settlement reflected the severity of the victim’s injuries and the facility’s disregard for addressing security concerns.

$4 million – During an evening trip to a West Garfield Park grocery store, Marcus was caught in a shooting inside the store. The $4M settlement considered both the trauma to survivors and the store’s lack of security despite repeated violent incidents and criminal activity nearby.

$2.8 million – James was leaving a Wicker Park bar late at night when several patrons attacked him outside. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures. The $2.8M settlement reflected both the severity of his medical condition and the bar’s negligent failure to provide security, which resulted in medical bills and lost income.

$1.9 million – Evelyn, an 88-year-old resident at a Hyde Park nursing home, was attacked in her room by a visitor who gained access without supervision. The $1.9M settlement emphasized the facility’s duty to protect vulnerable residents and its failure to provide enough security guards and security cameras.

$1 million – While staying at a downtown Chicago hotel, Nicole was attacked in her room by another guest. The investigation revealed staff had failed to change magnetic keycards between stays. A $1M settlement was reached for the victim’s injuries and trauma.

Why Choose Chicago Injury Center

Our top-rated firm is uniquely positioned to help you pursue a successful negligent security claim. The head attorney at Chicago Injury Center is a regular contributing author for the National Law Review. As a team, we have maintained an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau.

Types of Negligent Security Cases We Handle

Negligent security cases can be complex, which is why you need an experienced lawyer on your side to investigate the incident and build a strong case.

Here are some examples of negligent security cases that could lead to lawsuits:

• Apartment complex assaults due to broken locks or poorly maintained barriers
• Parking garage attacks without adequate lighting
• Hotel or motel crimes due to inadequate security personnel
• Retail store robberies and shootings
• Inadequate crowd control measures at an event venue
• Failure to monitor security systems and cameras, resulting in criminal acts

How Do Negligent Security Cases Arise in Chicago?

If you are a property owner, event planner, or landlord in Chicago, you are responsible for ensuring adequate safety measures are in place to protect visitors from known security threats. A failure to do so may place people at risk of serious injuries, after which they could file lawsuits against you.

As an injured victim, the following circumstances may have contributed to your suffering due to negligent security:

• Poor lighting in Englewood properties
• Broken gates and improperly secured entrances in West Garfield Park
• Fault locks in North Lawndale
• Lack of surveillance cameras in South Shore businesses
• Untrained security personnel
• Not enough security guards in a retail business
• Security breach

What Are the Most Common Negligent Security Injuries?

Many negligent security cases involve serious injuries that can affect victims for many years when property owners fail to implement reasonable security measures.

Here are some common injuries associated with negligent security in Chicago:

• Head trauma
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Lacerations
• Gunshot wounds
• Stab wounds
• Sexual assault injuries
• Broken bones
• Sprains and strains
• Psychological trauma (PTSD)

What Damages Can Negligent Security Victims Recover in Chicago?

A negligent security lawyer can help you accomplish two things with a successful claim: Holding the at-fault party accountable and seeking financial compensation for legal damages.

Let’s discuss the primary damages you can recover if you can prove a property owner’s failure to provide adequate security.

Lost Wages

A serious injury may prevent you from going to work, either temporarily or for a long time. Missing out on income can turn your financial future upside down. In negligent security cases, victims can seek compensation for past and future lost wages.

Medical Expenses

If you incur medical expenses for the diagnosis and treatment of your injuries, these costs can be covered by the settlement. Our top attorneys will assess all costs associated with surgery, emergency care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, appointment travel, assistive devices, and even medical home renovations. Past and future medical bills can be included in your final settlement.

Non-Economic Damages

Some losses are harder to calculate than others because they do not have specific formulas or numbers attached to them. These non-economic damages can include emotional distress, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and loss of quality of life.

What Is the Average Negligent Security Payout in Chicago?

The average payout in negligent security claims is $20.75 million, with a range from $27,500 to $535 million. The median settlement was $987,500, which means half of all negligent security settlements were greater than this amount. Numerous factors will affect the final settlement value of your case. The severity of your injury, the foreseeability of a crime, and the type of property can all affect the outcome of the claim.

Example Negligent Security Cases in Cook County

In 2014, a woman was sexually assaulted in her fourth-floor apartment on North Stone Street. He was criminally charged with 72 years in prison, but the victim suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and pursued a lawsuit against the building owner and other parties. It was later discovered that the main lobby door had a faulty lock, which likely allowed the perpetrator to enter the building. If proper security measures had been taken, the lock would have been replaced. She was awarded $5.41 million in the settlement.

In 2011, a teenager named Jacob was swimming in a lake at a family camp at night when he drowned and passed away. His family sued the owners of the family camp for failing to provide adequate lighting and for failing to supervise the swimming area. Although there were lifeguards present, Jacob’s family claimed that there were not enough of them and that they failed to pay close attention to the swimmers. The parties agreed to a $4.5 million settlement.

Why You Need an Experienced Negligent Security Lawyer

A Chicago negligent security lawyer can play an essential role in securing fair compensation for your claim. These cases can be complex, especially when you face the following challenges:

• Proving the foreseeability of a crime
• Securing crime statistics to support your claim
• Obtaining security footage before it is altered or deleted
• Overcoming common premises liability defenses

At Chicago Injury Center, our team is equipped to overcome these challenges and fight for every last dollar you deserve from legal damages.

Where Do Negligent Security Incidents Occur Most Often in Chicago?

Negligent security cases are more likely to occur in some parts of Chicago than others. Dangerous neighborhoods with high crime rates are hotspots for elevated risk, such as Englewood, South Shore, and West Garfield Park.

Other hazardous locations include poorly lit streets (especially at night), apartment complexes, transit stations, and large entertainment venues (such as the United Center).

What Laws Govern Negligent Security Claims in Chicago?

740 ILCS 130/ (Illinois Premises Liability Act) – Under this law, every property owner must take reasonable precautions to prevent hazards on their premises that could cause injuries, including reasonable security measures.

740 ILCS 100/ (Illinois Joint Tortfeasor Contribution Act) – Fault can be allocated among multiple negligent parties, making it easier for injured victims seeking justice in negligent security cases.

735 ILCS 5/2-1116 (Illinois Comparative Negligence Law) – An injured victim can still seek compensation if they are no more than 50% at fault for their injuries. However, a similar factor of fault will reduce their final settlement amount.

How Long Do I Have to File a Negligent Security Lawsuit in Illinois?

Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury victims (735 ILCS 5/13-202). This means you have two years from the incident or the date of discovery of your injury to pursue compensation for negligent security.

There is also an exception to this deadline for minors who get injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Who Is Legally Liable for Negligent Security Incidents in Chicago?

Multiple parties can be held liable in negligent security claims. The best lawyers in Chicago can help you identify the responsible parties and prove negligence to increase your chances of a fair settlement.

Potentially liable parties in negligent security cases may include:

• A property owner
• A business tenant
• An event organizer
• A contracted security company
• A surveillance camera manufacturer

Common Defenses in Chicago Negligent Security Cases

Defendants, insurance companies, and lawyers will use numerous tactics to argue against your negligence claim. Here are some common defenses used in negligent security cases:

• The victim is also at fault under comparative negligence statutes
• The criminal act was unforeseeable
• There is an assumption of risk
• The property owner did implement adequate security measures

We can counter these defenses with additional evidence to support your claim, such as:

• Witness statements proving the victim was not at fault
• Past complaint reports that establish a history of criminal activity
• Surveillance footage showing the hazard is outside the scope of an assumed risk
• Expert testimony from security personnel to evaluate whether the property owner did implement adequate security measures

How to Strengthen Your Negligent Security Claim in Chicago

When pursuing negligent security claims, victims must begin planning the moment the incidents occur. If you take the appropriate actions immediately after getting hurt, you will have a better chance of proving negligence and recovering compensation.

Here are the steps you should follow after you get hurt due to inadequate security measures:

• Report the injury to the property owner or landlord
• Collect police reports from the incident
• Preserve any evidence of negligent security
• Obtain witness statements and contact information
• Seek immediate medical care for diagnosis and treatment
• Retain all medical records to document your injuries
• Secure expert testimony on security standards
• Consult our Chicago negligent security attorneys for legal assistance

How Our Chicago Negligent Security Attorneys Can Help

A Chicago negligent security lawyer from our top firm can make all the difference in receiving a fair settlement for your claim. Our team has decades of experience holding negligent property owners, event organizers, and landlords accountable for unsafe premises.

Our legal services include:

• Evaluating crime data related to your incident
• Securing expert witnesses
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Litigating aggressively in civil court
• Protecting your rights under state and federal law

FAQs

Is insufficient lighting considered an inadequate security measure?

Yes, inadequate lighting can be considered a failed security measure. If an area had proper lighting, it would likely discourage more criminal acts because the perpetrators would be afraid of being seen or recognized. However, you may have to prove that insufficient lighting was present and had an effect on the injuries you suffered, so help from a negligent security lawyer can help establish negligence.

Who can file a negligent security claim in Illinois?

In most cases, the injured victim can file a negligent security claim in Illinois. However, if the victim is a minor, a legal representative may be selected to file the claim on their behalf. If the victim dies because of negligent security, surviving family members, such as spouses or dependent children, can receive wrongful death damages. Chicago negligent security attorneys can help you understand your rights as a victim of a negligent security incident.

How much does a negligent security lawyer cost in Chicago?

At Chicago Injury Center, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless we win. Additionally, our payment is extracted from the final settlement amount, so there are no out-of-pocket expenses.

Book a Free Consultation

Premises liability cases involving negligent security can be difficult for victims to navigate without legal assistance. You will need evidence to prove the property owner’s negligence led to your suffering.

A top Chicago negligent security lawyer from our team can investigate foreseeable risks, analyze evidence from the scene, and obtain expert testimony to back up your inadequate security claim. We can also assess your damages accurately to fight for a fair settlement that covers lost wages, medical expenses, and emotional suffering.

With a contingency fee agreement, there are no upfront costs for our services. Additionally, you can leverage a free consultation to ask any questions about the legal process. Contact our firm today to schedule your free case evaluation with highly-rated Chicago negligent security attorneys. We serve clients across the state from our office in the Windy City.