Jefferson County · Negligent security
Lakewood Negligent Security Lawyers
Lakewood negligent security claim? Free consultation, no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
Negligent Security Claims in Lakewood
When someone is assaulted or attacked on another person's property, the first question people ask is whether the attacker can be found and held accountable. That matters, but it is often not the only source of responsibility. A landowner who invites the public onto a property, whether a shopping center along Wadsworth Boulevard, an apartment complex near West Colfax Avenue, or a business off Kipling Street, has a duty to use reasonable care for the safety of visitors it invites in.
A crime committed by another person is not automatically the landowner's fault. That is an important starting point, and we do not tell clients otherwise. But the law recognizes that in some situations a landowner knew or should have known about a danger on the property and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. Broken lighting in a parking lot, doors that do not lock, missing security staff where security was expected, or a pattern of trouble the owner ignored can all be part of that inquiry, depending on the specific facts.
We do not claim that one past incident automatically makes an owner liable for a later attack, and we do not argue that a business or landlord insures every visitor's safety. Those are not accurate statements of how these claims work. What we do is look closely at what the property owner knew, what it could have reasonably done, and whether its choices about lighting, locks, staffing, or access control fell short of reasonable care under the circumstances.
Building a Negligent Security Case
These cases depend heavily on what the property owner knew or should have known before the attack happened. We look for prior incident reports, calls for service at the property, maintenance records for lighting and locks, and any security staffing plans or contracts. If the property had cameras, footage from the time of the incident and in the days before it can show whether known problems were addressed or ignored.
We also gather medical records connected to treatment after the attack, which may include care at CommonSpirit St. Anthony Hospital or another provider, along with photographs of the scene, witness statements from anyone who saw the conditions beforehand, and any communications between tenants, employees, or neighbors about safety concerns raised before the incident occurred.
- Get medical care and keep records of diagnosis and treatment
- Report the incident to the property owner or manager in writing
- Take photos of lighting, locks, doors, and the general area
- Write down what you remember about prior safety concerns you heard about
- Contact us before discussing details with the property's insurer
Handling Negligent Security Cases Near Lakewood
We handle negligent security claims arising from incidents around Lakewood, including properties near Wheat Ridge, Golden, and the commercial corridors along West Colfax Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard. These cases often require pulling records from property management companies and, where relevant, coordinating with law enforcement reports connected to the incident.
Litigation for Lakewood cases typically proceeds through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We are based in Denver and regularly handle claims throughout Jefferson County, so distance to court is not an obstacle to pursuing a claim properly.
What Damages May Be Recoverable
- Medical expenses for treatment of injuries from the attack
- Future medical care if ongoing treatment is needed
- Lost wages from time away from work
- Pain and suffering
- Costs related to psychological impact of the attack, where applicable
What clients say about McCormick & Murphy
Real outcomes and reviews. Check Google reviews for the office that serves Lakewood — and read client testimonials.
After I was hit by a drunk driver with no insurance, my own insurer refused UM benefits. McCormick & Murphy sued for uninsured motorist benefits and bad faith. A jury awarded me over $900,000.
C. O., Denver · UM / bad-faith verdict
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its facts, coverage, venue, and evidence.
Lakewood Negligent security FAQ
If I was attacked by a stranger, can the property owner still be responsible?
Possibly, depending on what the owner knew or should have known about the risk and whether it took reasonable steps to address it. The attacker's actions do not automatically transfer fault to the property owner, so we look closely at the specific facts before making that judgment.
Does one prior crime at the property automatically make the owner liable?
No. A single past incident does not automatically create liability, though it can be one piece of evidence among many depending on the circumstances. We evaluate the full pattern of events and the owner's response, not just one data point.
What kinds of security failures matter in these cases?
Lighting outages, broken locks or doors, missing security staff where it was expected, and ignored complaints about safety can all be relevant. Whether any of these matter in a specific case depends on the property, the history, and what a reasonable owner would have done.
Do businesses guarantee visitor safety?
No. Property owners are not insurers of every visitor's safety, and that is not the legal standard we apply. The question is whether the owner used reasonable care given what it knew or should have known.
Where would my Lakewood case be handled?
Claims connected to incidents in Lakewood typically proceed through Jefferson County Courts in Golden. We represent clients throughout Jefferson County from our Denver office.
Discuss a Lakewood premises injury
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