Broken locks, failed lighting, and unsecured entry points are not minor maintenance issues. In New York apartment buildings, they are conditions that allow criminal activity to occur.
Landlords and property owners are responsible for maintaining safe conditions in the buildings they control. When basic security measures are ignored and a tenant or visitor is harmed, the landlord or property owner may face legal consequences for that failure.
The Security Failures That Lead to Claims
Negligent security claims arise when required safety measures are missing, broken, or left unaddressed.
Common failures include:
- Broken or unsecured entry door locks
- Inadequate lighting in hallways, stairwells, entryways, parking lots, or garages
- Malfunctioning intercom or buzzer systems
- Lack of surveillance cameras in common areas
- Broken gates or perimeter security barriers
- Failure to provide security personnel where conditions require it
- Absence of security patrols in common areas or building grounds
- Failure to rekey locks between tenants
- Prior reports of trespassing or criminal activity that were not addressed
Each of these conditions can create an environment where criminal acts become more likely.
When Unresolved Building Security Issues May Be Grounds For a Legal Claim
Negligent security cases fall under New York premises liability law. Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions in all common areas.
To establish a claim, an injured party must show:
- A duty to maintain safe conditions
- A failure to meet that duty
- A direct connection between that failure and the criminal act
- Harm resulting from that act
These cases often turn on foreseeability. When a landlord knows, or should know, that criminal activity is likely and fails to take reasonable steps to prevent it, liability may follow.
How Prior Crime Impacts Liability
A history of criminal activity at or near a property is one of the most important factors in a negligent security case.
Each time break-ins, assaults, or repeated trespassing are reported, the risk is documented. This creates an expectation that landlords or property owners will address these issues.
Evidence used to establish foreseeability may include:
- Police reports
- 311 complaint records
- Incident reports filed with building management
- Tenant complaints and communications
- Security logs and maintenance records
This evidence shows what the landlord knew about ongoing risks and whether they failed to act.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
Negligent security cases often involve multiple parties.
Responsibility may fall on:
- The building owner
- The property management company
- A contracted security company
- A maintenance company responsible for repairs
Liability is not limited to a single entity. Any party whose failure contributed to unsafe conditions may be held accountable.
What You Can Recover
A negligent security claim seeks compensation for the full impact of the harm caused. Pursuing that compensation means holding every responsible party accountable.
Economic Damages
Economic damages reflect the measurable financial costs resulting from the incident.
Recoverable amounts may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, treatment, and ongoing care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Future medical or psychological treatment costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages reflect the personal harm that extends beyond financial loss.
These may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress
- Loss of safety and security in one’s home
- Loss of normal daily function
Do Not Wait to Take Action
In New York, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the incident.
It’s critical to act before that deadline expires because the sooner you do, the stronger your potential case can be. Why? Because surveillance footage may be overwritten, repairs may be made, and critical evidence may be lost. Early investigation preserves the facts needed to establish liability.
Holding Property Owners Accountable for Negligent Security
Negligent security cases are built on what the landlord knew, what they failed to fix, and how that failure led to harm. When basic safety measures are ignored, the consequences are the result of preventable conditions.
Morelli Law Firm represents tenants and visitors injured due to unsafe property conditions throughout New York. We identify every security failure, hold every responsible party accountable, and pursue the full compensation the law allows. Put your case in the right hands: Morelli Law Firm has recovered billions for our clients, and we are ready to work just as hard for you.
