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Experienced Negligent Security Lawyer
If you were injured in a criminal assault or robbery at an apartment complex, shopping center, or hotel, the property owner may be held liable for your damages. In such a case, you need an experienced Farmington Hills negligent security lawyer. In Michigan, negligent security is a specialized area of premises liability law that holds owners accountable for failing to provide adequate protection against foreseeable criminal acts. At Davis Law Center, we have spent over 30 years holding negligent merchants and landlords in Oakland County responsible when their lack of security leads to preventable violence.
Property owners in Metro Detroit must maintain reasonably safe premises, which includes providing effective lighting, working locks, and, in some cases, security personnel. Whether your incident occurred in a parking lot on Northwestern Highway or a residential building near 12 Mile Road, we understand the devastating physical and emotional impact these crimes have. At the Davis Law Center, we offer high-level legal advocacy required to prove foreseeability and secure the compensation your family deserves.
Negligent Security Cases
In Michigan, a property owner generally does not have a duty to protect another person from a third party’s criminal acts unless a “special relationship” exists between the defendant and the plaintiff. Examples of such a “special relationship” include a common carrier’s obligation to safeguard its passengers and an innkeeper’s responsibility for the safety of its guests. While businesses are not “insurers of safety”, they must act if they are aware of specific, immediate danger. If any of the following results in injury to our Farmington Hills and Metro Detroit neighbors, the property owner can be held responsible for the full amount of damages, both economic and non-economic (pain and suffering):
Inadequate Lighting
- Poorly lit parking lots, stairwells, or corridors
- Malfunctioning exterior lights that aren’t promptly repaired
- Lack of motion-sensor lighting in vulnerable areas
Faulty Locks or Security Systems
- Broken locks on doors or windows in apartment buildings
- Malfunctioning key card systems in hotels
- Ineffective or outdated alarm systems
- Security cameras that are non-functional or not monitored
Lack of Security Personnel
- Absence of security guards in high-crime areas
- Insufficient number of staff during peak hours or events
- Inadequately trained security personnel
- Failure to conduct background checks on security staff
Failure to Address Known Security Risks
- Ignoring repeated incidents of crime on the property
- Not responding to tenant complaints about security concerns
- Failing to implement security measures recommended by law enforcement
- Neglecting to warn visitors or residents about recent criminal activities
Insufficient Access Control
- Lack of proper fencing or gates in apartment complexes
- Unrestricted access to sensitive areas in commercial buildings
- Failure to change locks or access codes after employee terminations
- Key card security failures and a lack of overnight staff in hotels and motels
Negligent Hiring and Supervision
- Employing staff without proper background checks
- Failing to supervise employees with access to sensitive areas or information
These examples illustrate the diversity of negligent security issues. At Davis Law Center, we thoroughly investigate each case to identify all instances of negligence that may have contributed to our client’s injuries or losses. Understanding these common scenarios helps us build stronger cases and advocate more effectively for victims of crimes that could have been prevented with proper security measures.
Potential Damages in Negligent Security Cases
Victims may be entitled to various types of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage or loss
❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Negligent Security in Michigan
Can I sue a business if I was attacked by a stranger on their property?
Yes. While the business is not responsible for the criminal’s behavior, it is responsible for its own failure to provide a safe environment. If the owner knew—or should have known—that their property was vulnerable to crime and failed to take “reasonable” steps (like fixing locks or adding lighting), they can be held liable for your injuries.
What makes a crime “forseeable” in the eyes of the law?
In Michigan, foreseeability is the “smoking gun” of your case. A crime is generally considered foreseeable if:
There is a history of similar crimes at that specific location or in the immediate neighborhood.
The property owner received repeated complaints from tenants or customers about safety concerns.
The crime was imminent, such as a person acting aggressively in a store lobby for an hour before the staff finally called the police.
Does the “Open and Obvious” rule change affect my negligent security case?
Indirectly, yes. While the landmark 2023 Kandil-Elsayed ruling primarily targeted slip-and-fall cases, it shifted the overall “duty of care” in Michigan. Property owners can no longer argue that you were at fault just because a parking lot was “obviously dark.” The focus has moved toward the owner’s breach of duty, making it harder for judges to dismiss security cases before they reach a jury.
What if the police never caught the person who attacked me?
You can still file a civil lawsuit even if there is no criminal conviction or if the perpetrator was never identified. In a civil case, we aren’t trying to send the criminal to jail; we are proving that the property owner’s negligence (such as a broken security gate) created the opportunity for the crime to occur.
What kind of evidence do you look for in these cases?
We go far beyond the police report. The Davis Law Center investigates:
“Calls for Service” Logs: We can pull every 911 call made to that address over the last few years.
Security Footage: We fight to secure video before the store or hotel “accidentally” deletes it.
Maintenance Records: We look for work orders showing that lights or locks were reported broken weeks before your attack.
Policies & Procedures: We obtain the property owners’ internal documents to show that their own security policies were not followed.
Can I file a claim if I was injured in my own apartment complex?
Yes. Landlords have a specific legal duty under MCL § 554.139 to keep common areas (hallways, parking lots, laundry rooms) safe and “fit for the use intended.” If a landlord ignores a broken front door lock and an intruder enters and assaults a tenant, the landlord may be held financially responsible.
⚠️ Warning: Video Evidence Disappears Fast.”
The Solution: “Contact Davis Law Center within 24 hours of an assault. We immediately issue Spoliation Letters to ensure property owners do not ‘accidentally’ delete the footage of the security failure.”
Davis Law Center: Your Advocates in Michigan Negligent Security Cases
Negligent security cases are complex, often involving intricate legal principles and fact-specific circumstances. We understand the devastating impact that crimes resulting from inadequate security can have on victims and their families. At the Davis Law Center, we are committed to holding property owners accountable for failing to provide reasonable security measures.
If you are a victim seeking justice as a result of negligent security, we’re here to help. Our experience handling negligent security cases throughout Michigan has equipped us with the knowledge and skills to navigate these challenging legal waters effectively. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for personal injury accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macomb County, Wayne County, Oakland County, and all of Michigan.
Our Location
We are located in Farmington Hills, Michigan and serve clients throughout the metropolitan Detroit area, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Genesee and Washtenaw counties.
Get in Touch
Fill out the contact form or call us at (248) 865-7740 to schedule your free consultation.
