Hamilton County Negligent Security Lawyer

Protecting Victims of Crime Caused by Unsafe Property Conditions

Property owners in Hamilton County have a legal responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe — not just from slip-and-fall hazards or broken staircases, but also from foreseeable criminal activity. When landlords, businesses, or security companies fail to provide adequate protection, innocent people can be seriously harmed.

If you’ve been the victim of an assault, robbery, or other violent incident on someone else’s property, you may be entitled to compensation through a negligent security claim. At Pritchard Injury Firm, our Hamilton County negligent security lawyers represent victims throughout Chattanooga, East Ridge, Red Bank, Soddy-Daisy, and beyond. We hold property owners accountable for turning a blind eye to dangerous conditions.

Why Hire Pritchard Injury Firm for a Negligent Security Case?

These cases are complex. You’re not just dealing with a criminal matter — you’re holding a property owner responsible in civil court for failing to prevent a violent incident. That takes experience, resources, and an aggressive legal strategy.

Here’s why victims choose our team:

• We know how to prove “foreseeability” — that the crime was predictable and preventable
• We investigate police reports, surveillance footage, and prior incident records
• We work with security experts to establish what should have been done
• We handle the insurance companies so you can focus on recovery
• You pay nothing unless we win your case

Our job is to shine a light on dangerous conditions and fight for justice when owners choose profits over safety.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Negligent Security Claim?

Being the victim of a violent crime causes more than just physical injuries. It can change your life — emotionally, financially, and psychologically. Our attorneys fight to recover compensation for:

• Emergency room and hospital bills
• Ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and therapy
• Lost income and diminished future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma and PTSD
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages, if a loved one was killed due to negligent security

At Pritchard Injury Firm, we understand that recovery is more than just physical healing — it’s about restoring your sense of safety, security, and justice.

What Is a Negligent Security Claim?

A negligent security claim is a type of premises liability case that arises when someone is harmed by criminal activity that could — and should — have been prevented by the property owner. These cases center on the idea that while the criminal committed the act, the environment in which it occurred was unsafe due to a lack of reasonable security measures.

For example, if a person is assaulted in a poorly lit parking lot with a history of criminal incidents, and the property owner failed to install lighting or hire security despite knowing the risks, that victim may have a legal right to seek compensation. The core question in a negligent security case is not just what happened, but whether the danger was foreseeable and whether the property owner took appropriate steps to reduce that risk.

These cases often occur at apartment complexes, shopping centers, hotels, or other public-access properties, and they are based on a property owner’s legal duty to protect visitors, guests, and tenants from preventable harm. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we hold these owners accountable when they ignore red flags and leave others vulnerable to violence.

What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt Due to Negligent Security

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a violent crime on someone else’s property, it’s critical to act quickly:

1. Call the police immediately and file a full report. 
2. Seek medical care, even if injuries seem minor. 
3. Take photos of the scene — poor lighting, broken locks, lack of security. 
4. Gather names of witnesses, security personnel, or tenants. 
5. Avoid giving statements to the property owner’s insurer before consulting an attorney. 
6. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm as soon as possible to begin investigating. 

Time is critical — key evidence like surveillance footage or maintenance records can disappear quickly.

Where Do Negligent Security Incidents Happen in Hamilton County?

Negligent security incidents are more common than many people realize — and they tend to occur in places we frequent every day. In Hamilton County, crime-related injuries often happen at apartment complexes where management has failed to fix broken gates, replace burned-out lighting, or respond to previous incidents. Poorly maintained or unsecured entryways create easy access for criminals and unsafe living conditions for tenants.

Hotels and motels, especially in areas with high foot traffic or near interstate corridors like I-75 and I-24, can also become hotspots for violent crimes if they lack proper security staffing or monitoring. The same applies to gas stations and convenience stores, which often operate with limited staff during late hours and may not have functioning surveillance or alarm systems.

Shopping centers, strip malls, and event venues in Chattanooga and surrounding areas can also be dangerous if parking lots are left dark and unmonitored, or if rowdy behavior is ignored by staff. Even workplaces and schools may fall short of security standards, putting employees and students at unnecessary risk.

The bottom line is this: if a property is open to the public or frequently hosts residents or guests, its owner has a responsibility to anticipate risk and take reasonable precautions. When they don’t, and someone is harmed, a negligent security claim may be the victim’s path to justice.

Common Crimes That Lead to Negligent Security Lawsuits

While not every criminal act leads to a successful negligent security case, many violent crimes are legally foreseeable when patterns of past behavior or risks are ignored.

Common incidents involved in these claims include:

• Assault and battery
• Armed robbery
• Sexual assault or rape
• Carjackings
• Stabbings or shootings
• Kidnappings or attempted abductions
• Fatal attacks, leading to wrongful death claims 

We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and work with compassion, discretion, and determination to hold negligent parties accountable.

How Do You Prove Negligent Security?

Proving a negligent security claim requires more than just showing that a crime occurred. You must demonstrate that the property owner had a legal duty to provide a safe environment, that they failed in that duty, and that this failure directly contributed to your injuries.

This begins with establishing foreseeability — showing that the property had a history of similar incidents or that the risk of crime was well known. For example, if police had responded to multiple prior assaults or robberies at the location, or if nearby businesses had raised security concerns, the owner may have been on notice of the danger.

Next, we evaluate the security measures in place — or the lack thereof. This may include broken locks, non-functioning cameras, burned-out lights, missing fencing, or the absence of trained security staff. Often, we work with safety experts to assess how the property fell below industry standards and what actions could have prevented the harm.

Finally, we link the property owner’s inaction to the crime itself. If their failure to act — whether by ignoring safety reports, cutting corners on maintenance, or neglecting warnings — created an opportunity for the attacker, we work to hold them financially accountable for the injuries you suffered.

At Pritchard Injury Firm, we build these cases with a deep understanding of both criminal behavior and civil liability. We know what evidence matters — and how to tell your story in a way that demands justice.

FAQ: Negligent Security Claims in Hamilton County

Is the property owner responsible for a crime someone else committed?

Yes, if they failed to provide reasonable security and the crime was foreseeable, the owner or manager may be held liable under Tennessee premises liability law.

Can I sue an apartment complex or hotel?

Absolutely. Residential and commercial property owners have a duty to keep guests and tenants safe from foreseeable criminal harm.

Do I have a claim if the attacker was never caught?

Yes. You can pursue a civil claim against the property owner even if the criminal was not identified or prosecuted. Civil liability is separate from criminal justice.

How long do I have to file a negligent security claim?

Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those involving negligent security. You should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

There is no upfront cost. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Talk to a Hamilton County Negligent Security Lawyer Today

If your injuries were caused by someone else’s crime — and a property owner’s failure to act — you deserve justice. At Pritchard Injury Firm, we’ll help you hold negligent property owners accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Call (470) 828-3363 for a free, confidential consultation. We serve clients throughout Chattanooga, East Ridge, Red Bank, Hixson, and all of Hamilton County.