Newport News Negligent Security Lawyer

Injured On Unsafe Property In Virginia?

If you were assaulted, robbed, or attacked on someone else's property and you believe it was not safe, you may be wondering whether anything can be done. Negligent security happens when a property owner fails to take reasonable steps to protect visitors from foreseeable crime. In those situations, a civil claim may help you move forward.

At Kalfus & Nachman PC, we help people across Virginia who have been hurt because businesses or property owners ignored basic safety. Our team has represented injured clients since 1979, and we understand how overwhelming life can feel after a violent incident. We work to handle the legal details so you can focus on healing, and we offer free consultations to explain your options.

If you are looking for a negligent security attorney that Newport News residents can turn to for guidance, our firm is here to listen to your story and give you straightforward information about your rights.

Call (855) 880-8163 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.

Understanding Negligent Security Claims in Virginia

Negligent security occurs when a property owner or manager fails to provide appropriate safety measures despite knowing—or reasonably being expected to know—that criminal activity was likely to occur. In Virginia, property owners owe a duty of care to lawful visitors, including customers, tenants, guests, and patrons.

To succeed in a negligent security claim, it must generally be shown that:

1. The property owner owed a duty of care
2. Criminal activity was foreseeable
3. Reasonable security measures were not in place
4. That failure directly contributed to the victim’s injuries

Our Newport News negligent security attorney can investigate prior incidents, police reports, and property records to prove foreseeability and liability.

Different Forms of Security

Adequate security varies depending on the type of property, its location, and its history of criminal activity. Common forms of security that property owners may be required to provide include:

• Security guards or patrol services
• Surveillance cameras (CCTV systems)
• Adequate lighting in parking lots and walkways
• Controlled access systems (key cards, gates, intercoms)
• Functional locks on doors and windows
• Alarm systems
• On-site management or security desks
• Fencing or barriers to limit unauthorized entry

Failure to install, maintain, or properly operate these measures can form the basis of a negligent security claim.

When Is Security Necessary?

Not every property requires armed guards or extensive surveillance, but security becomes legally necessary when criminal activity is foreseeable. Factors that may trigger a duty to increase security include:

• Prior criminal incidents on or near the property
• High-crime neighborhoods in Newport News
• The nature of the business (bars, nightclubs, hotels, apartment complexes)
• Late-night operations or large crowds
• Poor lighting or hidden areas that facilitate crime

For example, an apartment complex with repeated break-ins may be required to add lighting, repair broken gates, or hire security patrols. A parking garage near a nightlife area may need cameras and visible security personnel.

Examples of Inadequate Security

Negligent security can take many forms. Common examples include:

• Broken or nonfunctional security cameras
• Burned-out or insufficient lighting
• Unlocked or broken doors and gates
• Lack of security personnel despite prior violent incidents
• Failure to respond to known safety complaints
• Poorly trained or unlicensed security guards
• Inadequate crowd control at events or venues
• Failure to evict or restrict dangerous individuals

When these failures lead to assaults, robberies, shootings, stabbings, or sexual assaults, the property owner may be held financially accountable.

Who Is Liable for Negligent Security?

Liability in negligent security cases often extends beyond a single party. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:

• Property owners
• Landlords and apartment complex owners
• Property management companies
• Business owners and operators
• Hotels and motels
• Shopping centers and malls
• Parking garage operators
• Event organizers
• Security companies

Our Newport News negligent security attorneys at Kalfus & Nachman PC will identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.

Compensation Available to Negligent Security Victims

Victims of negligent security may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills and future treatment costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Virginia law allows injured victims to pursue full compensation when a property owner’s negligence contributes to a violent crime.

Negligent Security FAQs

What types of crimes lead to negligent security claims?

Common crimes include assaults, shootings, stabbings, robberies, carjackings, and sexual assaults.

Do I need to prove the attacker was known to the property owner?

Not necessarily. You must show the crime was foreseeable based on prior incidents or surrounding conditions.

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

Most personal injury claims in Virginia must be filed within two years from the date of injury.

Can I sue even if the criminal was arrested?

Yes. Criminal charges are separate from civil liability against the property owner.

What if the property owner claims the crime was unavoidable

Insurance companies often make this argument. An experienced Newport News negligent security attorney can counter it with evidence of foreseeability and inadequate security.

Why Choose Our Newport News Firm

When you are deciding who to trust with a negligent security claim, experience and stability matter. Our firm was founded in 1979 and has successfully handled thousands of personal injury and disability cases for people throughout Virginia. Over the years, we have recovered millions and millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injured clients.

We are a full-service law firm that handles every phase of a case, including litigation. If a fair agreement cannot be reached, we are prepared to file suit and pursue your claim in court when that step is appropriate. Our attorneys have received honors such as inclusion in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and recognition in Best of Coastal Virginia and 2025 Best Of Norfolk.

To talk with our Newport News team about your situation, call (855) 880-8163 today.