Negligent security Lawyer Henderson NV | Inadequate Security Attorney

You never expect to be assaulted while walking to your car, unlocking your apartment, or exiting a concert venue. But across Henderson, individuals suffer violent injuries in places where they had every right to feel safe. Maybe you were attacked in a hotel parking structure near Sunset Station. Perhaps you were robbed at gunpoint outside a shopping center or assaulted while visiting someone in an apartment complex without working gates or cameras. In too many of these cases, the incident could have been prevented with proper security measures.

Under Nevada law, property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors. When they fail to take basic safety precautions, like hiring security guards, fixing broken lights, or monitoring entrances, they can be held liable for resulting injuries. This area of law is known as negligent security, and it falls under the broader umbrella of premises liability.

The Drummond Law Firm Difference in Complex Injury Cases

Negligent security cases are never simple. They often involve violent crime, limited evidence, and powerful property owners who deny responsibility. These are not the kinds of claims that can be resolved with form letters or passive negotiation. They require intense preparation, legal precision, and a team that knows how to prove fault in high-stakes situations.

Leadership Built on Military Experience and Ethical Service

Attorney Craig W. Drummond is a former U.S. Army Captain and JAG (Judge Advocate General) attorney. He served in combat zones and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service. That background drives our firm’s approach to legal strategy: disciplined, prepared, and committed to the mission. We carry that same mindset into every negligent security case we handle in Henderson and beyond.

A Firm Built for Litigation, Not Volume

Many personal injury firms prioritize quick settlements over client outcomes. We take a different approach. Drummond Law Firm is structured to build litigation-ready cases from day one. We do not wait to see if the insurance company will cooperate. We gather evidence, prepare witnesses, and assemble expert opinions early in the process so that we are ready to go to court if needed.

A Fee Structure That Prioritizes Your Recovery

Legal fees should never leave an injured client with less than they deserve. Our Reduced Fee Guarantee® ensures that if your case settles before a lawsuit is filed, our firm will never take home more than you do. That promise reflects our belief that victims should benefit first and foremost from their recovery, not their lawyer.

Direct Attorney Access From Day One

You will not be passed off to a case manager or kept waiting by a phone system. At our firm, you speak directly with an attorney who understands the legal system and your specific case. This personal, professional communication is especially important in cases involving trauma, fear, or loss of safety. We are here to answer your questions, not avoid them.

Experience With Violent Incident Cases

Not all injury lawyers are prepared to handle claims involving assault, sexual violence, or wrongful death. These cases demand sensitivity, discretion, and a deep understanding of how civil and criminal systems intersect. We have represented victims of shootings, stabbings, sexual assault, and robbery. We know how to build cases that reflect both the human and legal impact of these attacks.

What Is Negligent Security Under Nevada Law?

Negligent security is a legal concept that holds property owners accountable when they fail to take reasonable precautions to protect visitors from foreseeable criminal acts. These claims fall under Nevada’s broader premises liability laws and are civil cases, not criminal prosecutions. The goal is to pursue compensation for injuries resulting from security failures, not to convict the attacker.

To succeed in a negligent security claim, several legal elements must be established:

• Foreseeability of Harm. The incident must have been reasonably predictable based on prior crimes in the area, known issues on the property, or the nature of the location itself. For example, if multiple assaults occurred in the same apartment complex stairwell, future violence may be considered foreseeable. Property owners are not responsible for preventing every crime, but they are expected to respond to known risks.
• Duty of Care to Visitors. Property owners owe a different level of care depending on who enters the premises. Invitees—such as tenants, hotel guests, or customers—are owed the highest duty. Owners must actively inspect, maintain, and secure the premises to keep invitees safe. Licensees—such as social guests—are owed a slightly lesser duty, while trespassers are generally owed minimal protection, except in specific cases such as when children are involved.
• Failure to Take Reasonable Security Measures. Once a threat is known, owners must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harm. This may include hiring security guards, repairing fences or gates, installing cameras, or improving lighting. What is “reasonable” depends on the property type, crime history, and what safety measures are practical and expected in that setting.
• Causation and Damages. A successful claim must show that the lack of security directly contributed to the attack and that the victim suffered measurable harm. This may include physical injuries, psychological trauma, medical expenses, lost income, or long-term impairment. The case must connect the property owner’s negligence to the harm that occurred.
• Civil vs. Criminal Responsibility. Negligent security cases are civil lawsuits filed against property owners—not criminal cases against attackers. While the attacker may face criminal prosecution through law enforcement, the civil case focuses on the failure of the property owner or manager to prevent foreseeable harm. These claims are about compensation, not punishment.

At Drummond Law Firm, we investigate every element thoroughly and build cases that show exactly how a security failure allowed a violent act to occur. Our goal is to hold property owners accountable and help our clients recover what they need to heal and rebuild.

Where Inadequate Security Most Often Leads to Injury in Henderson

Negligent security incidents can happen anywhere, but certain types of properties carry greater risk. These are the locations where assaults and other crimes most commonly occur, especially when proper safety measures are not in place.

Hotel and Casino Parking Lots

Hotels and casinos attract large crowds and operate around the clock. Many also handle large amounts of cash, which can make visitors targets for robbery or assault. Parking lots, garages, and hallways are common settings for attacks, especially when security patrols are inconsistent or lighting is poor. We represent hotel guests and tourists who were injured because management failed to protect the premises.

Apartment Complexes Without Controlled Access

Gated communities and apartment complexes have a duty to screen visitors, maintain secure entry systems, and respond to repeated criminal activity. When management fails to repair broken gates, ignore reports of trespassing, or skip background checks for employees, the consequences can be life-altering. Assaults in breezeways, stairwells, and laundry rooms are tragically common in under-secured housing complexes.

Shopping Centers With Poor Lighting or Surveillance

Retail properties, especially those with open parking lots and multiple storefronts, require basic security measures to protect customers. Poor lighting, broken cameras, and lack of signage create conditions where assaults, robberies, and carjackings are more likely. Property owners must respond to known risks. When they fail to do so, we take action to hold them responsible.

Concert Venues, Sports Arenas, and Bars

Crowd control and security staffing are essential at live event venues. When a venue fails to search attendees, break up fights, or intervene when someone is threatened, patrons may be seriously injured. These cases often involve questions of staff training, emergency response, and how well the venue planned for known risks.

Schools or Childcare Centers With Poor Entry Controls

Child-focused facilities have an even higher duty of care due to the vulnerability of the individuals they serve. Schools and daycare centers must have effective access control, locked entryways, and staff training protocols. If someone gains unauthorized access to a campus and causes harm, the failure to secure the premises may justify a negligent security claim.

Examples of Property Owner Failures That May Justify a Claim

Negligent security claims often arise from very specific failures—choices property owners make to cut costs, ignore warnings, or delay repairs. These failures are not just oversights. They are breaches of a legal duty that put guests, tenants, and customers at risk of serious harm.

No Security Cameras or Broken Surveillance Systems

Surveillance cameras serve as both a deterrent and a source of evidence. When they are absent, poorly positioned, or left in disrepair, the property owner has removed a critical safety tool. If a violent crime occurs and there is no footage to review, the failure to maintain working cameras becomes a central issue in the case.

Lack of Trained Personnel in Known High-Risk Areas

Some properties, such as nightclubs, large apartment complexes, or busy parking structures, require live security staff to manage safety. When owners fail to hire properly trained guards or provide no personnel at all, they increase the chance that an assault or robbery will occur without intervention.

Failure to Respond to Prior Incidents

If management knows that crimes have occurred on the property, they have a heightened responsibility to take action. Repeated 911 calls, tenant complaints, or employee reports create a pattern. When nothing is done to address known risks, that failure supports a strong claim for foreseeable harm.

Broken Gates, Locks, or Inadequate Lighting

Physical security features must be functional to be effective. A broken gate at an apartment complex or missing lightbulbs in a hotel parking lot make it easier for criminals to enter unnoticed. Property owners who delay maintenance or ignore safety requests create dangerous conditions for their guests and tenants.

No Security Protocol in High-Traffic or Late-Night Businesses

Businesses that attract large crowds or operate at night, such as bars, concert venues, or casinos, have a duty to plan for the safety of their guests. If there are no procedures for crowd control, de-escalation, or emergency response, victims of violent incidents may be able to hold the business accountable for failing to prepare.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Negligent Security Incident?

Determining liability in a negligent security case often requires looking beyond just the property owner. Several parties may share responsibility depending on how the location is managed, staffed, or leased.

Property Owners

The owner of the premises is typically the first party considered in a negligent security claim. If they failed to maintain the property, ignored repeated safety concerns, or cut back on necessary security measures, they may be held directly liable.

Management Companies

In rental properties or commercial buildings, the day-to-day safety responsibilities often fall to a third-party management company. These companies may be liable if they failed to respond to known risks, skipped inspections, or hired unqualified staff to oversee security.

Third-Party Security Contractors

Some properties outsource their safety needs to private security firms. If those guards fail to act, abandon their post, or contribute to the danger, the contractor and their employer may share legal responsibility. These cases often require detailed investigation into hiring practices and training standards.

Event Organizers or Tenants

In venues that are rented or shared, liability may shift depending on who was in control of the premises at the time of the incident. Concert promoters, event organizers, or individual tenants may be held accountable if they failed to plan for safety, staff appropriately, or respond to foreseeable threats.

Evidence That Strengthens a Negligent Security Claim

These cases are often won or lost based on documentation. At Drummond Law Firm, we start building your case from the moment you call. We know where to look and what to ask for to support your claim and demonstrate how the property failed to protect you.

Police Reports and Incident History

We obtain all official reports from the Henderson Police Department or responding law enforcement. These documents establish what happened and help us identify past incidents at the same location that signal a pattern of danger.

Surveillance Footage (or Lack Thereof)

Security camera footage is often the most compelling evidence in a negligent security case. When that footage is missing—either because it was never recorded or was deleted—we ask why. The absence of surveillance in a high-risk area can support your claim.

Witness Interviews and Security Logs

Eyewitness accounts can clarify what occurred before, during, and after the incident. We also request copies of the property’s security logs, maintenance records, and prior complaint reports to show how management handled previous safety concerns.

Expert Opinions on Security Standards

We work with security experts who evaluate what measures should have been in place based on the property type and local crime statistics. Their analysis helps demonstrate how the incident could have been prevented with basic precautions.

Proof of Prior Similar Crimes in the Area

If other assaults, robberies, or violent acts occurred on or near the property, we present this data as evidence of foreseeable risk. The more the property owner knew, or should have known, the stronger your legal position becomes.

Damages You May Recover After a Security Failure

Negligent security claims are not just about what went wrong. They are about what it cost you. Under Nevada law, victims of preventable violence may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of physical, emotional, and financial losses.

Emergency Medical Care and Future Treatment

We pursue compensation for hospital bills, surgeries, follow-up care, therapy, and medication. If your injuries require long-term treatment or ongoing pain management, those future costs are factored into the claim.

Lost Wages or Reduced Ability to Work

If the attack forced you to miss work or left you unable to return to your previous job, we calculate lost income and diminished earning capacity. This includes projected losses over time if your career has been permanently altered.

Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress

Victims of violence often experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, and chronic fear. These effects can be just as debilitating as physical injuries. We work with mental health providers to document emotional harm and include it in your claim.

Costs of Relocation or Safety Upgrades

Many clients can no longer live where the incident occurred. If you needed to move, install home security, or change your routine for safety reasons, those expenses may be recoverable as part of your damages.

Wrongful Death Damages for Family Members

If your loved one was killed due to a property’s failure to provide adequate security, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases allow you to seek compensation for funeral costs, lost support, and emotional grief.

You do not have to suffer in silence after a violent incident. If poor lighting, broken locks, or failed security allowed someone to hurt you, legal action is not just possible—it is necessary. At Drummond Law Firm, we help victims stand up to negligent property owners and take back control.

Led by Attorney Craig W. Drummond, a former U.S. Army Captain and JAG attorney, our firm brings precision, preparation, and a client-first mindset to every case. We do not just handle injury claims, we fight for justice in cases involving serious violence, trauma, and wrongful death.

You pay nothing unless we win. With our Reduced Fee Guarantee, you will always take home more than our firm in a pre-suit settlement. We make your recovery the priority.

Call the Captain at 702-CAPTAIN or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with a Henderson negligent security lawyer who takes your safety seriously.