Can You Sue a Property Owner for a Crime Caused by Poor Security in Oklahoma?

When you visit a business, apartment complex, or any public property, you expect the owners to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. Unfortunately, when property owners fail to provide adequate security, it can leave visitors vulnerable to assaults, robberies, and other violent crimes. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime due to negligent security, you may wonder whether you can hold the property owner accountable.

At Koller Baker & Associates, we represent victims and families across Oklahoma in complex personal injury and wrongful death claims. Our team has the experience to handle negligent security cases and fight for justice when a property owner’s failure to act leads to tragedy.

What Is Inadequate Security?

Inadequate security occurs when a property owner fails to take reasonable measures to protect visitors from foreseeable harm. Oklahoma law requires businesses and property owners to maintain safe premises for guests, tenants, and customers. This duty can include providing security in areas where criminal activity is known to occur.

Examples of negligent security include:

Broken or missing locks on doors and gates
Lack of proper lighting in parking lots or stairwells
Failure to hire security personnel in high-crime areas
Malfunctioning security cameras or alarms
Ignoring reports of suspicious or criminal activity on the property

If a property owner knew, or should have known, about prior crimes in the area but failed to improve security, they may be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence.

When Can a Property Owner Be Held Liable?

In Oklahoma, property owners have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for lawful visitors. If a property’s poor security directly contributes to a crime, and the crime was reasonably foreseeable, the victim may have grounds for a lawsuit.

For example, if a landlord ignored repeated complaints about broken locks or refused to fix broken lighting in a parking lot where assaults had occurred before, they could be found negligent if another attack happens.

To succeed in a negligent security claim, you typically need to prove:

The property owner owed you a duty of care.
They breached that duty by failing to provide reasonable security.
You suffered harm as a result of their negligence.
The crime was foreseeable based on prior incidents or circumstances.

Every case is unique, and proving these elements often requires an in-depth investigation, access to crime statistics, and testimony from security experts.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Negligent Security Case?

If you were injured due to a property owner’s inadequate security, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses and ongoing treatment
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
In wrongful death cases, funeral expenses and loss of companionship

A skilled attorney can help you identify all liable parties, which may include property owners, managers, or security companies.

Why You Need an Experienced Attorney

Negligent security claims can be challenging. Property owners and their insurance companies often deny responsibility and argue that the crime was unforeseeable. At Koller Baker & Associates, we know how to build strong cases for victims and their families.

Our team will:

Investigate the crime and property conditions
Review police reports and prior incidents in the area
Consult with security professionals and law enforcement experts
Hold negligent property owners accountable for their failures

Learn more about these cases and how we protect victims’ rights on our inadequate security page.

Contact Koller Baker & Associates Today

If you or a loved one was the victim of a crime due to poor security, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you take action, the stronger your case can be. At Koller Baker & Associates, we are committed to helping you seek justice and recover the compensation you deserve.