Injured by a Crime in the Bronx? You May Have a Civil Case for Negligent Security.
If you were seriously injured because a property owner, landlord, business, or other third party failed to provide reasonable security, you may have a negligent security case in the Bronx.
These cases often arise after shootings, robberies, assaults, rapes, and other violent crimes that occur at apartment complexes, businesses, parking lots, schools, hospitals, hotels, bars, nightclubs, and other properties.
You may not know whether you have a case. You may even have already spoken with another lawyer or an intake specialist who quickly told you that you did not. If you still have questions, call the Law Office of Michael J. McConnell for a free case evaluation.
We will always take the time to hear what happened, listen with empathy, and give you honest guidance about whether your case is something we can pursue.
To request your free consultation, give us a call at (914) 810-0510 or sign up for one by clicking the button below.
What Is a Negligent Security Case in the Bronx?
A negligent security case is a specific type of personal injury case where you sue a property owner or other responsible entity for failing to take reasonable steps to protect you from a foreseeable criminal attack.
For example, a classic type of negligent security case might involve a landlord who knew about repeated violent crimes within or around the building but failed to repair a broken entrance lock.
Other common examples include a business such as a shopping center with poor lighting in their parking lot, missing security cameras, inadequate security personnel, or other conditions that made a criminal attack more likely in an otherwise high-crime area.
What Makes a Strong Negligent Security Case?
Every negligent security case is different, but generally you want facts that show the property owner knew or should have known about a risk of violent crime and failed to take reasonable steps to protect people.
For example, helpful facts may include prior crimes at the property, repeated safety complaints, broken locks or doors, poor lighting, missing security cameras, lack of security guards, or other known security problems that were not fixed.
What Evidence is Most Important to Help a Bronx Negligent Security Lawyer Prove a Crime Victim’s Case?
In court, what matters is what you can prove with the evidence you have, especially in negligent security case where the evidence you gather shortly after the incident can often make or break the case.
Important evidence in most Bronx negligent security cases will include things like:
- NYPD police reports and 911 records
- Surveillance or security camera footage
- Photographs and videos of the property
- Records of prior crimes at or near the property
- Complaints made to the landlord or business
- Security guard records and schedules
- Building maintenance records
- Broken locks, doors, gates, or windows
- Lighting conditions
- Witness statements
- Medical records and bills
- Proof of lost wages
- Evidence of your physical and emotional injuries
A proactive personal injury attorney will always be sure to move quickly when investigating a negligent security case. This is because things like security footage can be erased, witnesses can disappear, and property conditions can change—especially when a property owner knows they might get sued for a violent crime that occurred on their premises.
Can I Sue the Person Who Committed the Crime?
A civil lawsuit can be brought against the person who committed the crime, but the practical difficulty is that the criminal will often have neither enough money nor insurance to fully compensate a crime victim with serious injuries.
This is why crime victims in the Bronx who seek financial compensation should always consider whether they might have a claim against someone else for negligence. Some common third parties who can be liable to crime victims include:
- Landlords
- Property owners
- Security companies
- Businesses
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals and medical facilities
- Shopping malls
- Hotels and motels
- Bars and nightclubs
Speaking with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the crime is your best chance of identifying any potential negligent third parties who could be held liable for your injuries.
Can I Still Sue a Property Owner if the Perpetrator is Being Prosecuted in Bronx Criminal Court?
A civil case is different from a criminal prosecution, which means both can be pursued at the same time. In other words, you’re not prevented from suing the property owner, the perpetrator, or even both just because there is a case in Bronx Criminal Court as well.
Why Would a Crime Victim in the Bronx Want to Sue if the Perpetrator is Already Being Criminally Prosecuted?
This answer comes down to one thing: the best option for pursuing full compensation for your injuries as a crime victim is almost always to bring a civil lawsuit. Here’s why:
The purpose of a criminal case is to punish the perpetrator. The NYPD investigates, the Bronx District Attorney prosecutes, and if the perpetrator is convicted for a violent crime they will often go to prison. Victim restitution is somewhat rare in Bronx Criminal Court, and even when it is used it is often wholly inadequate to fully compensate the victim.
In contrast, a civil lawsuit has a much different purpose, which is to compensate the victim for the serious injuries and other losses they’ve suffered. In negligent security cases, the compensation being pursued will often be from a third party such as a property owner or business rather than the perpetrator himself, which is another way it is different than what happens in criminal court.
What Can I Be Compensated For as a Crime Victim in a Negligent Security Lawsuit in Bronx County, NY?
Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:
- Medical bills and future medical care
- Lost wages and lost earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Permanent injuries or disabilities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other damages caused by the crime
In some cases, punitive damages could also be available depending on the specific facts and how bad the overall conduct of the responsible party was.
What If I’m Not Sure I Have a Case?
That’s okay. You don’t need to know the answer before calling a lawyer.
Negligent security cases can be especially difficult. Multiple attorneys can sometimes look at the same case and reach different conclusions about whether it’s a good case or not. A quick rejection from one personal injury law firm doesn’t necessarily mean there is nothing more for another one to investigate further.
So if you were a crime victim in the Bronx and still have questions about whether you might have a good personal injury case, we encourage you to call us for a free consultation. At the very least, you should have the opportunity to speak with a dedicated personal injury attorney who will take the time to understand what happened before you decide what to do next.
How Soon Should a Victim of a Crime Contact a Personal Injury Attorney?
In negligent security cases in particular, it’s important that you speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the crime. Building these cases takes a lot of time and effort, and if you wait too long to investigate a property owner’s negligence, really critical evidence can be lost forever.
If you’re worried that you might’ve waited too long—perhaps because you were focused on your recovery or waiting for the criminal case to finish—you could still have options, which is why now is always the best time to contact a personal injury attorney about your case.
Why Choose Us?
Our office brings a unique perspective to crime-related personal injury cases because Michael J. McConnell has significant criminal law experience as both a former New York City prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney in private practice, including regular representation of clients in Bronx County Criminal Court.
That experience gives him insight into how violent crimes occur, how the NYPD investigates them, and the types of crime trends and circumstances that can matter when evaluating a negligent security claim. He also understands how a property owner’s failure to take reasonable precautions can sometimes play an important role in allowing a crime to occur.
Just as important, he understands what crime victims are going through. He brings a calm and reassuring demeanor to every case, and he has been recognized by past clients for his compassion, empathy, and genuine care for them.
Ready to Speak With an Attorney? Schedule Your Free Case Review Today!
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. If you were injured in a shooting, robbery, assault, sexual assault, or another violent crime in the Bronx and believe inadequate security may have played a role, call us at (914) 810-0510 for a free case evaluation.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, contact a lawyer and speak with them privately about your unique situation. Prior results don’t guarantee a future outcome.
This page was last updated on August 18th, 2026.