Negligent Security Lawyer for Crime Victims in Westchester County
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a shooting, stabbing, assault, robbery, sexual assault, or other violent crime in Westchester County, you may be wondering:
“Can I sue the property owner if their negligence allowed the crime to happen?”
The answer might be yes, but every case will be decided on its unique facts.
The key to holding property owners responsible is being able to prove that their failure to take reasonable security measures to prevent reasonably foreseeable crime helped cause your serious injury.
Our office offers free consultations to crime victims in Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, and throughout Westchester County who have been seriously injured and want to pursue legal action against a negligent property owner or business.
To schedule your free consultation, call us at (914) 810-0510 or sign up for an initial phone consultation through the button below.
Can I sue someone other than the person who committed the crime?
Yes, crime victims can sue third parties if their negligence or intentional conduct was a proximate cause of their injuries.
Common third parties who can be responsible for crimes committed on their premises include:
- Landlords for apartment buildings
- Property management companies
- Security companies
- Bars and nightclubs
- Shopping centers
- Hotels and motels
- Parking lot owners
It is also important to know that the criminal case and a civil lawsuit for compensation are separate. So even if the person who committed the crime is arrested and prosecuted, you might still have a civil action against someone else such as a negligent property owner.
What makes a strong negligent security case?
Three questions are especially important:
1. Was the crime foreseeable?
Did the property owner know, or have reason to know, that there was a risk of criminal activity? A history of similar assaults, robberies, shootings, rapes or other crimes can be important evidence that the danger was foreseeable.
2. Did the property owner fail to take reasonable security measures?
This could be a broken lock, unsecured entrance, poor lighting, inadequate security, or security staff who were not properly trained or supervised.
Even when some security is provided, the question is whether reasonable steps were taken in light of the known risk.
3. Did the security failure contribute to the crime?
There needs to be a meaningful connection or causation between the security failure and the crime.
For example, if an intruder enters through an unsecured entrance and violently attacks someone inside, causation will likely be met.
Where do negligent security cases happen?
These cases can arise in many places, including most often:
- Apartment buildings and residential complexes
- Hotels and motels
- Bars and nightclubs
- Shopping malls and retail stores
- Parking lots and garages
- Restaurants and other businesses
The important issue is not simply where the crime happened. It is whether the property owner or another responsible party failed to address a known and reasonably foreseeable security risk.
What types of crimes can lead to a negligent security lawsuit?
Depending on the circumstances, negligent security claims may involve:
- Shootings and homicide
- Assaults
- Robbery
- Sexual assault or rape
- Domestic violence
- Strangulation
- Other violent crimes
The resulting injuries can be devastating, including gunshot wounds, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and serious emotional and psychological trauma.
What if the person who committed the crime was never arrested?
You may still have a civil claim against the property owner even if nobody was arrested.
This is because civil lawsuit is separate from the criminal justice process. So even if the police haven’t found your attacker, that doesn’t stop you from suing a negligent property owner.
What evidence can help prove negligent security?
These cases often depend heavily on evidence that can disappear quickly if you’re not careful. Things like surveillance footage can get automatically deleted if not preserved and witnesses can become much harder to locate as each day passes.
In addition to video footage and witness statements, other critical evidence will include things like:
- police reports
- medical records
- photographs
- maintenance records
- security records
- and prior crime records for the location
That is why quick action by a diligent Westchester County personal injury attorney can matter so much. They can take care of identifying and preserving the key evidence you’ll need as proof to pursue full compensation.
How much is a negligent security case worth?
There is never a one-size-fits-all answer to how much a negligent security case in Westchester County might be worth.
The value of a case can depend significantly on things like:
- the severity of the injuries
- medical treatment
- lost income
- emotional trauma
- pain and suffering
- and the strength of the evidence proving the property owner’s negligence
A trusted negligent security lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of understanding what your case might be worth and the strategy for pursuing maximum compensation.
Why choose the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell if you are a crime victim in Westchester seeking compensation for serious injuries?
Michael J. McConnell is a local personal injury attorney who brings to these types of cases a significant and unique experience in criminal law since he is a former prosecutor and now also practices criminal defense.
This extensive background dealing with violent crimes from both sides of the justice system gives him substantial insight into what happens behind the scenes from how evidence is obtained and documented in police reports to how crimes are categorized, tracked, and analyzed for broader trends.
His overall approach is also well suited to representing victims of violent crime because he understands that clients need more than just a lawyer—they need someone who will listen, explain what is happening, and take their case seriously.
As reflected through a 5-Star Google Rating, Michael J. McConnell’s past clients have emphasized his genuine care for them, compassionate approach, and superb advocacy.
Free Consultation for Westchester Crime Victims
After a violent crime, you may already be dealing with medical bills, lost income, physical pain, and emotional trauma. You should not also have to figure out on your own whether someone else may be legally responsible—let us take care of that.
Give us a call at (914) 810-0510 or sign up for a call below.
Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. This page is not intended to be legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should immediately contact an attorney and speak with them privately about your situation. Prior results don’t guarantee future outcomes.
This page was last updated on August 15th, 2026.