Chattanooga Negligent Security Lawyer

Experienced Chattanooga negligent security attorneys fighting for victims of preventable crimes. If you were injured due to inadequate security measures, The Higgins Firm will help you seek the compensation you deserve.

When Property Owners Fail to Protect You

You trusted that the apartment complex, shopping mall, hotel, or parking garage would be safe. You never expected to become a victim of assault, robbery, or worse due to negligent security.

The physical injuries might heal, but the emotional trauma can last a lifetime. The financial impact – medical bills, lost wages, therapy costs – only adds to your burden.

This shouldn’t have happened to you.

Property owners and businesses in Chattanooga have a legal obligation to provide reasonable security measures to protect visitors and residents from foreseeable criminal activity. When they fail to meet this responsibility, they can be held accountable for the harm that results.

What Is Negligent Security in Tennessee?

Negligent security falls under premises liability law in Tennessee. It occurs when a property owner fails to implement adequate security measures to protect people on their property from foreseeable criminal acts by third parties.

Under Tennessee law, property owners owe varying duties of care depending on why you were on their property. Since Hudson v. Gaitan (675 S.W.2d 699), Tennessee has abolished the distinction between invitees and licensees but maintains a different standard for trespassers.

For business visitors and guests, property owners must exercise reasonable care to:

• Identify and address security vulnerabilities
• Implement appropriate security measures based on location, crime rates, and past incidents
• Warn visitors about known security risks

Common examples of negligent security include:

• Inadequate lighting in parking lots, stairwells, or hallways
• Broken locks, gates, or security systems
• Lack of security personnel in high-crime areas
• Failure to conduct proper background checks on employees
• Ignoring previous criminal incidents on the property

Real Cases, Real Consequences in Chattanooga

The consequences of negligent security can be devastating. Our Chattanooga premises liability attorneys have represented victims who have suffered:

• Physical injuries from assaults or robberies
• Emotional trauma requiring extensive therapy
• Lost income due to inability to work
• Permanent disabilities requiring lifelong care
• Wrongful death of loved ones

These weren’t just “bad luck” – they were preventable tragedies caused by property owners prioritizing profits over people’s safety.

Proving Negligent Security in Tennessee

To establish a negligent security claim in Chattanooga, we must prove:

1. Duty of care: The property owner owed you a duty to provide reasonable security measures
2. Breach of duty: They failed to provide adequate security
3. Foreseeability: The criminal act was reasonably foreseeable
4. Causation: Their negligence was a substantial factor in allowing the crime to occur
5. Damages: You suffered actual harm as a result

Foreseeability is often the most contested element. Property owners frequently argue they couldn’t have anticipated the criminal activity. Our attorneys counter this by investigating:

• Prior similar incidents on the property
• Crime statistics for the surrounding area
• Industry security standards for similar properties
• Security recommendations the owner ignored
• Previous complaints about security issues

Compensation Available for Negligent Security Victims

If you’ve been harmed due to inadequate security measures in Chattanooga, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death damages (for families who lost loved ones)

Tennessee has adopted modified comparative fault under McIntyre v. Balentine (833 S.W.2d 52). This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your fault doesn’t exceed the defendant’s. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How The Higgins Firm Fights for You

Our Chattanooga negligent security lawyers have the experience, resources, and determination to take on property owners and their insurance companies.

We investigate thoroughly, often working with:

• Security experts who can identify deficiencies in the property’s security measures
• Crime data analysts who establish patterns of criminal activity in the area
• Medical professionals who document the full extent of your injuries
• Mental health experts who testify about your emotional trauma

We’re not just fighting for compensation – we’re fighting for accountability and change.

When property owners face consequences for their negligence, they’re motivated to improve security measures, potentially preventing future crimes and making our Chattanooga community safer for everyone.

Taking Action After a Security Failure in Chattanooga

If you or a loved one has been harmed due to negligent security:

1. Seek medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor
2. Report the incident to police and get a copy of the report
3. Document everything – take photos of the location, security deficiencies, and your injuries
4. Preserve evidence like clothing, text messages, or emails about security concerns
5. Avoid discussing your case on social media or with the property owner’s representatives
6. Contact our Chattanooga negligent security lawyers for a free consultation

Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally one year from the date of injury under Tennessee Code § 28-3-104. This gives you limited time to take legal action, so don’t delay.

Local Chattanooga Negligent Security Attorneys

The Higgins Firm knows Chattanooga. Our attorneys understand the local courts, judges, and legal landscape. We’re familiar with crime patterns in different neighborhoods and the security standards expected of local businesses.

With offices throughout Tennessee, including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and right here in Chattanooga, we’re ready to help you seek justice, no matter where in the state you were injured.

Don’t face this alone. Our Chattanooga negligent security attorneys offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Call The Higgins Firm today or complete our online form to schedule your free case review.