When you visit a business or property in Broomfield, you expect to be safe. Property owners have a legal duty to protect visitors from foreseeable crimes. When they fail to provide adequate security and someone gets hurt as a result, they can be held accountable.
At Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers, we help victims of negligent security recover compensation for injuries caused by preventable crimes. Our team understands Colorado premises liability law and has the experience to prove when a property owner’s security failures led to your harm.
Contact Goldman & Haydel today to arrange a free consultation. Call us at (720) 571-0606.
What Is Negligent Security?
Negligent security happens when a property owner fails to implement reasonable safety measures to protect visitors from criminal acts. This could mean broken locks, poor lighting, no security cameras, or absent security personnel in areas where crime is common.
Property owners must assess crime risks and respond appropriately. If they ignore these dangers and someone gets hurt, they can be liable for damages under Colorado law.
Colorado Law on Premises Liability and Security
Colorado premises liability law is governed by Colorado Revised Statutes section 13-21-115. This statute requires property owners to exercise reasonable care to protect visitors from dangers they know about or should know about.
Under this law, property owners owe the highest duty of care to invitees. These are people who enter property for business purposes or in response to an invitation. If you were shopping, dining, staying at a hotel, or visiting an apartment complex, you’re likely an invitee.
The statute was amended in 2022 to clarify that property owners can be liable for third-party criminal acts when those acts are foreseeable. The amendment specifically rejected earlier cases that made it too difficult for crime victims to hold property owners accountable.
For your negligent security claim to succeed, you must prove:
- You were lawfully on the property as an invitee or licensee.
- The property owner knew or should have known about security risks.
- The owner failed to implement reasonable security measures.
- This failure directly caused your injuries.
- You suffered damages as a result.
Why Security Matters in Broomfield
Like many Colorado communities, Broomfield has seen fluctuations in crime rates. According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, violent crime rates across Colorado have seen an increase in recent years.
The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice reports that Colorado’s violent crime rate jumped 61% from 2013 to 2022, with aggravated assault rates increasing 88% during that same period. In Broomfield, specifically, the police department logged 154 cases of violent crime in 2024 alone. The number one violent offense that year was assault, with 89 cases in the county.
These statistics show that property owners must take security seriously. Certain properties face higher crime risks and need stronger security measures:
- Apartment complexes and rental properties
- Parking garages and parking lots
- Hotels and motels
- Shopping centers and retail stores
- Bars and nightclubs
- ATM locations
- Storage facilities
- Concert venues and event spaces.
Types of Crimes That Lead to Negligent Security Claims
Negligent security claims arise from various violent crimes that could have been prevented with proper safety measures:
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault and rape
- Robbery and mugging
- Shootings and stabbings
- Kidnapping
- Carjacking in parking lots
- Home invasions in apartment complexes.
These crimes often cause serious physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardship, and victims deserve compensation. In Colorado, regardless of what happens with the criminal case, a victim may pursue a civil claim against the property owner that failed to protect them. This claim would be conducted in civil court, separate from the proceedings of criminal court.
At Goldman & Haydel, we specialize in civil claims by victims who were harmed due to the safety failures of property owners. Our legal service has helped many Coloradans obtain maximum compensation after they got injured or lost a loved one through the negligence of others.
Common Security Failures That Lead to Injuries
Property owners might cut corners on security to save money. These failures can have devastating consequences for visitors. Common security lapses include:
- Inadequate lighting: Dark parking lots, dim stairwells, and unlit walkways create opportunities for criminals. Proper lighting deters crime and helps people avoid dangers.
- Broken or missing locks: Doors and gates that don’t lock properly allow unauthorized access. This is especially dangerous in apartment buildings and hotels.
- No security personnel: High-risk properties need trained security staff to monitor activity and respond to threats. Absent or poorly trained security can’t prevent crimes.
- Missing or broken cameras: Security cameras deter criminals and provide evidence when crimes occur. Non-functioning cameras offer no protection.
- Lack of access controls: Properties need systems to control who enters the premises. Missing key cards, broken gates, or unmonitored entry points create risks.
- Ignoring crime history: Owners who know about previous crimes on their property but fail to improve security may be liable for future incidents.
- Poor maintenance: Overgrown bushes, broken fences, and cluttered areas give criminals places to hide.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Colorado law allows negligent security victims to seek compensation for all damages caused by inadequate security. This includes:
- Economic damages: Emergency fees, medical bills, future medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other related costs
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, mental or emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring or disfigurement.
In some cases, you might also have a criminal case against the attacker. However, many criminals lack the resources to pay damages. That’s why holding the property owner accountable is often the best path to fair compensation.
How Property Owners Try to Avoid Responsibility
Property owners and their insurance companies use various tactics to deny negligent security claims:
- Blaming the victim: They might claim you were careless or in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Claiming unforeseeable crime: They argue the crime was random and unpredictable, even when similar incidents happened before.
- Pointing to some security: They highlight the security measures they did have, ignoring the gaps that allowed the crime.
- Arguing no duty: They claim they had no legal obligation to protect you.
Our experienced attorneys at Goldman & Haydel know how to counter these defenses and build a strong case for your recovery.
Why You Need a Broomfield Negligent Security Lawyer
Negligent security cases are complex. You’re not just proving someone attacked you. You’re proving the property owner should have known it could happen and failed to stop it. This requires:
- Investigating the property’s security measures and history
- Obtaining police reports and crime data for the area
- Reviewing prior incidents on the property
- Consulting security experts about industry standards
- Analyzing whether the owner’s security was reasonable
- Proving the connection between security failures and your injuries.
Scott Goldman and our team at Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling premises liability cases in Colorado. We know how to investigate these claims, gather evidence, and hold property owners accountable.
Our Approach to Negligent Security Cases
When you work with Goldman & Haydel, you get personalized attention from experienced attorneys who understand Colorado law. Here’s how we handle your case:
- Thorough investigation: We examine every detail of the incident and the property’s security history. This includes obtaining surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and documenting security failures.
- Evidence collection: We gather police reports, crime statistics for the area, records of prior incidents, and documentation of the property owner’s knowledge of security risks.
- Expert analysis: We work with security experts who can evaluate whether the property owner met industry standards and identify specific failures.
- Strong negotiation: Many cases settle before trial. We negotiate aggressively to get you fair compensation without the stress of court.
- Trial-ready: If insurance companies refuse to settle fairly, we’re prepared and well-equipped to take your case to court. Scott Goldman’s trial experience gives our clients confidence.
Our firm has earned a superb 10/10 rating on AVVO, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and Lead Counsel verification. These credentials reflect our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
Common Questions About Negligent Security Claims
How long do I have to file a claim?
Colorado law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a negligent security lawsuit. This deadline is strict. Missing it means losing your right to compensation. Contact an attorney quickly to protect your rights.
What if the criminal was never caught?
You can still pursue a negligent security claim even if the police never identified or arrested the attacker. Your claim is against the property owner, not the criminal.
Can I sue if I was a tenant in an apartment?
Yes. Landlords owe tenants a duty to maintain reasonable security. If inadequate security led to your assault, you have grounds for a claim.
What if there was some security, but it wasn’t enough?
Having some security doesn’t automatically protect property owners from liability. The question is whether the security was reasonable given the known risks. Inadequate security is still negligent security.
Will my case go to trial?
Most negligent security cases settle before trial. However, you need an attorney prepared to try your case if necessary. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know you have a skilled trial lawyer.
Steps to Take After a Crime on Someone’s Property
If you were injured in a crime on another’s property, take these steps:
- Get medical help: Your health comes first. Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations.
- Report the crime: Call the police and file a report. This creates an official record of what happened.
- Document everything: Take photos of the area, including lighting conditions, broken locks, and security features. Get contact information for witnesses.
- Preserve evidence: Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation related to your injuries and treatment.
- Don’t give recorded statements: Property owners and their insurers may contact you. Don’t provide recorded statements without talking to a lawyer first.
- Contact an attorney: Speak with a negligent security lawyer as soon as possible. Early investigation preserves evidence and strengthens your case.
Why Choose Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers?
Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury cases, including negligent security claims. This focus allows us to develop deep expertise in Colorado premises liability law and build strong cases for our clients.
- 25+ Years of combined experience: Our attorneys bring decades of experience to every case. We understand what it takes to win.
- Proven track record: Our clients’ testimonials speak to our dedication and results. We’ve helped numerous injury victims get the compensation they deserve.
- Trial-tested skills: Scott Goldman has extensive trial experience in Colorado courts. We’re not afraid to fight for you in court.
- Client-focused service: We provide regular updates, honest advice, and personalized attention. You’re not just a case number.
- No fee unless we win: We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. This allows everyone access to quality legal representation.
Contact Our Broomfield Negligent Security Attorney Today
If you or a loved one was injured in a crime due to inadequate security at a Broomfield property, you deserve experienced legal representation. The team at Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for your rights.
We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explain your options. Call (720) 571-0606 now to speak with a Colorado personal injury lawyer who can help.
Don’t let property owners escape responsibility for failing to protect you. Contact Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers today and take the first step toward justice and fair compensation.
Goldman & Haydel Personal Injury Lawyers
Top-Rated Colorado Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers
Phone: (720) 571-0606
Serving Broomfield and all of Colorado.
