Introduction
When someone is attacked or injured on another person’s property, the legal concept of premises liability comes into play. If inadequate security contributed to the harm, the property owner may be held liable. In these cases, expert witnesses are critical in helping the court understand what “reasonable security” should have looked like—and whether the failure to provide it led to the incident.
“Security isn’t optional—it’s a legal obligation.”
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability that holds property owners responsible when a preventable crime or injury occurs due to a lack of proper security. This may include:
- No surveillance cameras
- Broken gates or fences
- Poor lighting
- Inadequate or untrained security staff
These cases typically arise in apartment buildings, hotels, retail centers, nightclubs, or parking structures.
Why Expert Witnesses Are Essential
Security expectations vary by property type and region. That’s why courts rely on expert witnesses who can:
- Establish the standard of care
- Compare existing security to industry norms
- Review past incidents and foreseeability
- Determine if a breach directly contributed to the harm
Their role is to translate policies, procedures, and crime data into facts a judge or jury can understand.
Real-World Case: Apartment Assault Lawsuit
In Atlanta, a woman was assaulted while walking from her parking spot to her apartment. The property had a history of similar incidents, but management had failed to fix a broken gate and refused tenant requests for better lighting.
An expert witness testified that the complex ignored repeated red flags. He referenced national safety standards, reviewed the local crime grid, and confirmed that a working gate would likely have prevented the intruder’s entry.
The court awarded the plaintiff $3.1 million in damages.
The “Foreseeability” Test
One of the most important terms in negligent security cases is foreseeability—whether a reasonable person could anticipate the risk. Experts help establish this by:
- Analyzing past crime reports on or near the property
- Reviewing prior tenant complaints
- Determining if the security plan addressed known threats
If risk was foreseeable and the owner failed to act, liability often follows.
What Property Owners Should Be Doing
Owners of high-traffic or residential properties are expected to:
- Perform annual security audits
- Document all maintenance issues and responses
- Train staff on reporting and incident protocols
- Maintain a visible security presence when appropriate
Experts often review whether these actions were in place and whether they aligned with standards like CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design).
How Defense Teams Use Security Experts
Property owners also hire expert witnesses to show:
- All reasonable measures were taken
- The incident was random or unforeseeable
- Security policies were in place and followed
- The injured party acted against posted rules (e.g., trespassing)
An expert who presents well, shows neutrality, and backs opinions with evidence can significantly reduce damages—or prevent a verdict altogether.
Technology’s Role in Modern Security Claims
Digital records now play a major role in these cases:
- Access logs show who entered gated communities
- Camera footage tracks movement before an incident
- Digital maintenance logs prove whether lights or locks were fixed
Experts use this data to reconstruct timelines, flag procedural gaps, or validate a defense.
Common Weaknesses That Lead to Losses
From a legal perspective, the following failures often turn into major liability:
- Ignoring repeated tenant complaints
- Allowing broken lighting or locks to remain unfixed
- Hiring untrained or uncertified security personnel
- Failing to update safety protocols after prior incidents
In court, these oversights are seen as disregard for tenant or visitor safety—and expert testimony is what connects those dots for a jury.
Qualifications of an Effective Security Expert Witness
The strongest expert witnesses in negligent security claims usually have:
- Law enforcement or military backgrounds
- Certifications in risk management or property security
- Experience consulting or auditing properties
- Familiarity with local crime data and CPTED principles
They must also know how to speak clearly under oath and provide unbiased, evidence-based testimony.
Conclusion: Negligent Security Is Preventable—and Provable
In 2025, safety is no longer a luxury—it’s a legal expectation. When someone is harmed due to poor security, courts want to know if the property owner could have prevented it. Expert witnesses are the ones who answer that question with authority, data, and clarity.
For any property manager or commercial owner, the message is clear: don’t wait for a tragedy to review your security measures. And if you’re facing a claim, make sure your first call is to an expert who can help tell the full story in court.
