Quincy Negligent Security Lawyer

Protection & Accountability After Security Failures in Quincy, MA

When a property owner fails to provide reasonable security and someone gets hurt, the consequences can be life-changing. In Quincy, negligent security claims often arise after assaults, robberies, or attacks in places like apartment complexes, parking lots, hotels, bars, retail centers, and office buildings. If you or a loved one was injured because basic safety measures were ignored, you may have the right to pursue compensation.

Powers & Caccavale helps individuals and families throughout Quincy and the South Shore hold property owners and businesses accountable for security failures. Our team understands how Massachusetts premises liability law applies to negligent security and how to build a strong case with the evidence that matters most.

Request a free case evaluation today. Call Powers & Caccavale at (617) 379-0016 or send a message to get your questions answered and learn your legal options.

What Is a Negligent Security Claim?

Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim that arises when a property owner or manager fails to take reasonable steps to protect lawful visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. Reasonable steps vary by property type and history of incidents, but can include lighting, locks, access control, trained staff, surveillance cameras, security patrols, and prompt responses to complaints or suspicious activity.

When safety measures are missing or ignored and a visitor is assaulted, robbed, or otherwise harmed, the property owner and other responsible parties may be liable for the injuries and losses that follow.

Common Security Failures That Lead to Injury

• Broken or missing door locks or gate locks
• Poor or nonfunctional lighting in hallways, stairwells, and parking areas
• Disabled, fake, or unmonitored security cameras
• Lack of access control for multi-unit buildings
• Failure to screen, train, or supervise employees or contractors
• Inadequate security presence despite prior incidents
• Ignoring tenant, guest, or customer complaints about safety
• Delayed response to known hazards or criminal activity

Massachusetts Law and Your Rights

Under Massachusetts premises liability principles, owners and those in control of property owe a duty of reasonable care to lawful visitors. That duty includes measures to protect against foreseeable criminal acts. Foreseeability can be shown through prior incidents on or near the property, the type of business, neighborhood conditions, and warnings or complaints the owner received.

Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If an injured person is found partly at fault, their recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault, and recovery is barred if they are more than 50 percent responsible. Every case turns on its facts, which makes early investigation and strategic evidence gathering critical.

The statute of limitations for most Massachusetts personal injury claims is generally three years. Filing early helps preserve evidence such as surveillance footage and witness memories.

Where Negligent Security Claims Arise In Quincy

Quincy’s mix of residential, commercial, and transit areas creates a range of settings where security duties matter. Claims may stem from incidents at:

• Apartment buildings and condominium complexes
• Parking garages and surface lots serving retail centers or MBTA stations
• Hotels, motels, bars, and restaurants
• Big box and grocery stores
• Office parks and medical facilities
• College housing and private schools
• Event venues and entertainment spaces

Each setting has different standards for what is reasonable. For example, a high traffic parking garage with a history of car break-ins may require robust lighting, functioning cameras, and periodic patrols. A landlord who receives repeated reports of trespassers may need to repair gates, upgrade locks, or add access controls.

Proving a Negligent Security Case

A successful claim connects four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. In practice, that means showing the property owner had a duty to provide reasonable security, failed to do so, that failure made the criminal act foreseeable and preventable, and you suffered measurable harm.

Evidence We Pursue Right Away

• Incident reports, 911 calls, and police records
• Prior crime data on or near the property
• Lease agreements, vendor contracts, and security policies
• Maintenance logs showing repairs or ignored requests
• Camera footage, access logs, and alarm records
• Photos, lighting measurements, and site inspections
• Witness statements and employee training records
• Medical records and documentation of financial losses

Swift action is vital. Surveillance footage is often overwritten within days, and physical conditions can change. Our team moves quickly to send preservation letters, secure key evidence, and document the scene.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

Multiple parties may share responsibility for security failures:

• Property owners and landlords
• Property management companies
• Commercial tenants in control of the space
• Third-party security contractors
• Maintenance companies are responsible for locks, gates, or lighting
• Event promoters or organizers with control over crowd safety

Identifying every responsible party helps maximize available insurance coverage and increases the likelihood of full compensation for your losses.

Types of Losses You Can Recover

A negligent security claim can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses, from emergency care to follow-up treatment and therapy
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress
• Scarring, disfigurement, or disability
• Property damage, such as stolen items
• Out-of-pocket costs related to the incident
• In appropriate cases, loss of consortium

No two cases are identical. We work with your providers and, when necessary, qualified professionals to thoroughly document the full extent of your damages.

What To Do After an Assault or Attack On Someone Else’s Property

Your health and safety come first. Once emergency needs are addressed, taking a few focused steps can protect your rights:

• Call 911 and make a report. Be clear about what happened and where.
• Get medical care right away and follow your treatment plan.
• Preserve physical evidence, including clothing and photographs of injuries.
• Save names and contact information for witnesses or employees on scene.
• Write down details while they are fresh, including lighting conditions, security presence, and what you noticed before the incident.
• Do not give statements to an insurance adjuster before you understand your rights.
• Contact a negligent security attorney promptly to preserve video and records that can vanish quickly.

How Powers & Caccavale Builds Your Case

Our approach is hands-on and thorough. We start by listening to your story and mapping out the facts, timeline, and likely evidence sources. Then we:

• Send immediate preservation letters to owners, managers, and vendors
• Inspect the property to document lighting, sightlines, and access points
• Obtain police, 911, and incident reports and compare them to internal logs
• Analyze prior crimes and complaints, establishing foreseeability
• Review leases, contracts, and policies that assign security duties
• Consult with professionals in security practices when helpful
• Calculate the full value of your losses and prepare a persuasive demand

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and make sure every decision aligns with your goals and comfort level.

Insurance and Settlement Considerations

Negligent security claims often involve multiple insurance carriers. Commercial general liability, landlord policies, and security contractor policies may all play a role. Coordinating these coverages requires careful attention to policy language, additional insured provisions, and indemnity agreements between owners, tenants, and vendors.

Many cases resolve through settlement after a comprehensive demand supported by records, photos, and specialized analysis of security standards. If a fair offer is not on the table, litigation in Norfolk County courts may be the next step.

Litigation in Norfolk County

If filing suit becomes necessary, negligent security cases in Quincy are typically brought in the appropriate court for Norfolk County. The litigation process can include written discovery, depositions, site inspections, motion practice, and, if needed, a trial. Preparing thoroughly from day one puts you in the strongest position, whether the case settles or proceeds to a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my case involves negligent security?

If a criminal act against you was facilitated by missing or inadequate safety measures the property should have provided, your case may involve negligent security. An attorney can evaluate prior incidents, policies, and site conditions to assess whether reasonable measures were lacking.

Do I have a case if there were no prior crimes at the property?

Yes, prior crimes help establish foreseeability, but they are not the only factor. The type of business, neighborhood conditions, complaints, and obvious vulnerabilities can also show that better security was warranted.

What if I was attacked in a parking lot with broken lights?

Poor lighting is a common issue. If the property owner knew or should have known about broken lights and failed to fix them, that can support a negligent security claim, especially where lighting would have deterred or helped prevent the attack.

Can a landlord be liable for a tenant on tenant assault?

Often, yes. Landlords and property managers must take reasonable steps to address known dangers in common areas. If warnings were ignored or access was not controlled, liability may extend to the landlord or manager.

What if the attacker was never caught?

You can still pursue a civil claim against the responsible property owner or others who failed to provide reasonable security. Civil liability does not depend on a criminal conviction or the identification of the assailant.

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

Most personal injury claims in Massachusetts must be filed within three years from the date of the incident. Evidence can fade fast, so it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

How much is my case worth?

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, the evidence of security failures, the impact on your work and daily life, available insurance, and how juries in the venue tend to evaluate similar cases. A tailored assessment comes after a full investigation.

Take Action Now To Protect Your Rights In Quincy

Early investigation can make the difference in a negligent security claim. Preserving camera footage, documenting lighting and access points, and contacting witnesses are time-sensitive steps. If you were harmed on a poorly secured property in Quincy, Powers & Caccavale can guide you forward and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Start your free consultation. Call Powers & Caccavale (617) 379-0016 or send a message to schedule a convenient time to talk.