Naperville Negligent Security Lawyers
If you were injured because a property owner failed to provide adequate security, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Naperville negligent security lawyers at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC help victims hold negligent property owners accountable and pursue financial recovery for their injuries.
When you visit someone else’s property, whether it is an apartment complex, shopping center, hotel, or parking garage, you have the right to expect reasonable safety measures. Property owners in Naperville and throughout Illinois are legally required to take steps to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal activity.
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What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to protect people from foreseeable criminal acts. Under Illinois law, property owners must address known safety risks and provide adequate security measures based on prior incidents and the nature of the property.
Negligent security claims often involve failures such as:
- Broken or missing locks
- Poor lighting in parking areas or stairwells
- Lack of security guards where crime is common
- Malfunctioning security cameras
- Failure to address prior criminal activity
Did You Know?
Inadequate lighting is one of the most common security failures. Poor lighting consistently appears in negligent security cases because it makes criminal activity easier and reduces visibility for victims and witnesses.
Examples of Negligent Security Cases
- A woman is attacked in a poorly lit parking garage stairwell with no cameras or security patrols.
- An apartment tenant is assaulted after management ignored repeated complaints about broken locks.
- A hotel guest suffers injuries during a robbery in an unsecured parking lot.
In each scenario, the property owner may be held legally responsible. Call the Naperville negligent security lawyers at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC. (312) 775-0042 to recover compensation.
What Types of Crimes Are Involved in Negligent Security Cases?
Negligent security claims commonly involve crimes that cause physical or emotional harm and could have been prevented with reasonable safety measures.
These crimes include:
- Sexual assault
- Physical assault or battery
- Armed robbery or mugging
- Carjacking
If inadequate security contributed to the crime that caused your injuries, you may have a valid claim.
“Negligent security cases often involve property owners who ignored warning signs for months or even years. When owners fail to act despite knowing about prior crimes or safety complaints, innocent people pay the price. Our job is to make sure those failures are exposed and addressed.”
~ Colin O’Malley, partner at Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC.
Negligent security incidents occur on property owned or controlled by another party. These claims frequently arise in both commercial and residential settings.
Common locations include:
- Apartment complexes and condominiums
- Shopping centers and retail stores
- Hotels, motels, and resorts
- Parking garages and lots
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- College dormitories and assisted living facilities
- Bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues
Our Naperville negligent security lawyers evaluate the specific property, prior crime history, and security measures in place. Call Chute, O’Malley, Knobloch & Turcy, LLC. at (312) 775-0042.
How Foreseeability Affects Negligent Security Claims
Foreseeability is one of the most important factors in negligent security cases. Under Illinois law, property owners are expected to take stronger security measures when criminal activity is foreseeable.
Foreseeability may be established through:
- Prior crimes on or near the property
- Police reports and crime statistics
- Complaints from tenants or visitors
- The type and location of the property
If similar crimes occurred previously, the owner may have had a duty to act.
Did You Know?
Property owners cannot ignore prior crimes. If similar crimes occurred on or near the property in the past, owners may be legally required to increase security measures. Ignoring past incidents can strengthen a negligent security claim.
How Does the Negligent Security Claims Process Work?
The negligent security claims process begins immediately after an injury occurs. The first step in a negligent security claim is getting proper medical care. Once your health is addressed, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and handle time-sensitive matters.
To succeed in a negligent security claim, we must prove:
- The property owner was legally responsible for the property at the time of the incident.
- The property owner knew or should have known that security measures were inadequate.
- The lack of proper security directly caused your injuries.
When these elements are established, we pursue compensation on your behalf.
What Evidence Is Used in Negligent Security Cases?
Strong evidence is critical to proving liability for injuries caused by negligent security.
Common evidence includes:
- Surveillance footage
- Incident and police reports
- Maintenance and security logs
- Witness statements
- Crime history data
- Expert testimony on security standards
We work quickly to preserve and analyze all available evidence.
Pro Tip: Document Everything Early
If you are physically able, take photos or videos of the area where the incident occurred as soon as possible. Lighting conditions, broken locks, missing cameras, or lack of signage can change quickly after an incident.
How Much Is a Negligent Security Case Worth?
The value of a negligent security claim depends on the severity of injuries and long-term impact on your life.
Compensation may include:
- Economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and future treatment expenses.
- Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
For example, someone assaulted in a parking lot may face both physical injuries and long-term psychological effects that interfere with daily life and work.
Illinois Statute of Limitations for Negligent Security Claims
In Illinois, negligent security claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations from the date of injury. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.
Certain exceptions may apply, so speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible is important.
Pro Tip: Report the Incident Immediately
Filing a police report creates an official record that can be critical evidence later. Even if an arrest is not made, the report helps establish what happened and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as negligent security in Illinois?
Negligent security occurs when a property owner or occupier fails to take reasonable steps to protect people from foreseeable criminal activity on the property. This may include inadequate lighting, broken locks or gates, lack of surveillance, or failure to address known safety risks when the owner knew or should have known that crime was likely.
Can I sue if I was attacked on private property?
Yes. If you were lawfully on the property and the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable criminal activity, you may be able to sue for negligent security. Each case depends on factors such as prior criminal incidents, the type of property, and whether reasonable safety precautions were in place.
Do I have a case if there was no security guard?
Not necessarily. Illinois law does not require property owners to provide security guards in every situation. However, the absence of security personnel may support a negligent security claim if guards were reasonably necessary based on the property’s history of crime, location, or use.
Who can file a claim?
Individuals who are injured by foreseeable criminal activity while lawfully on someone else’s property may be able to file a negligent security claim. This often includes tenants, customers, hotel guests, and other invited visitors.
Should I wait until the criminal case has closed before opening a civil case?
No. You do not need to wait for the criminal case to conclude before pursuing a civil negligent security claim. While a criminal conviction may strengthen your case, civil and criminal cases are separate, and a civil claim can move forward regardless of the criminal case outcome.
Call Our Naperville Negligent Security Lawyers Today
Our Naperville negligent security lawyers care deeply about helping injury victims seek justice and accountability. We understand how overwhelming these situations can be and are here to guide you every step of the way.
Our lawyers will evaluate your case for FREE. Call (312) 775-0042 to get started today.